Buyer's guide
Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you will ever make, and in Metro Atlanta's fast moving market the process can feel overwhelming if you do not know what to expect. I have worked with hundreds of buyers across Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett and the surrounding counties, and I put this guide together to walk you through every step, from your first consultation to the closing table.
Bookmark this page. Whether you are a first time buyer or it has been a while since you last purchased, this is your starting point.
One of the most important, and often misunderstood, documents in Georgia's buying process is the buyer broker agreement. Before we start touring homes together we will sign this agreement, so you understand exactly how I am compensated and what I am committed to doing for you. Learn what the buyer broker agreement means and why it protects you.
One of the first questions buyers ask me is how long the process takes. The honest answer is that it depends. Some buyers find their home in two weeks, others take three months. Find out what affects your timeline and how to set realistic expectations.
The purchase price is not the only number that matters. Closing costs are real, and they can catch buyers off guard if you are not prepared. In Georgia, buyers typically pay between 2% and 5% of the purchase price in closing costs. Get the full breakdown of closing costs for buyers in Metro Atlanta.
Once your offer is accepted you will put down an earnest money deposit to show you are serious. This is not the same as your down payment, and what happens to it matters. Understand how earnest money works in Georgia and how to protect it.
Getting under contract is exciting, but the work does not stop there. Inspections, appraisals, financing contingencies and a lot of coordination happen between contract and closing. Here is a clear breakdown of what happens after your offer is accepted.
Georgia gives buyers a negotiated due diligence period, a window of time to inspect the property and back out for any reason with your earnest money returned. It is one of the strongest protections you have as a buyer, and it is worth using well. Learn everything you need to know about Georgia's due diligence period.
It happens. Life changes, inspections reveal serious problems, or financing falls through. Whether you can walk away and keep your earnest money depends on the timing and on your contract terms. Find out when a buyer can legally back out of a purchase contract in Georgia.
The inspection report will almost always find something. The skill is in knowing what to ask for, and what to let go. Read my guide on how to negotiate repairs after a home inspection in Georgia.
In Georgia, real estate closings are handled by attorneys rather than title companies. Knowing who picks the attorney, and what they do, matters more than most buyers realize. Find out who chooses the closing attorney in a Georgia real estate transaction.
Georgia has a tax that surprises many buyers: the intangibles tax on mortgage loans. It is a small but real cost that applies at closing. Get the details on Georgia's intangibles tax and how it affects your closing costs.
Ready to get started
If you are thinking about buying a home in Metro Atlanta, I would love to connect. I work with buyers across the metro area, from Edgewood and Decatur to East Cobb, Alpharetta and beyond. Let's make sure you have the right information and the right agent in your corner before you take the first step.
Start a buyer consultation