Buying a Home
What to Do When an Appraisal Comes In Low in Atlanta
Your appraisal came in below contract price. The five options Georgia buyers have, why the contingency deadline matters, and what to do first.
Journal
Notes on buying, selling and living in Metro Atlanta, written from inside the market rather than above it.
Atlanta Neighborhoods
Living in Edgewood Atlanta GA: A Neighborhood Guide for Buyers
Edgewood sits three miles east of downtown with MARTA on its edge. Housing stock, school assignment, commute and what to verify before you buy.
Atlanta Neighborhoods
Moving from Los Angeles to Atlanta: A Native Atlantan’s Honest Guide
In 2026 Atlanta's median home price ran $416K against LA's $850K, and Georgia taxed income at 4.99% against California's 13.3%.
Atlanta Neighborhoods
Moving from New York to Atlanta: A Relocation Guide for NYC Transplants
Atlanta's median home price ran $416K against $896K in New York in 2026. How money, commute and lifestyle change when you move south.
Buying a Home
Assumable Mortgages in Atlanta: How Georgia Buyers Can Lock In a Seller’s Lower Rate in 2026
Taking over a seller's FHA or VA loan can cut a monthly payment sharply. How assumable mortgages work in Georgia, and what the equity gap costs
Buying a Home
How to Buy a Home While Selling Yours in Atlanta
Buying while selling in Atlanta? Here is how contingent offers, the GAR kick-out clause, bridge loans and rent-backs actually work in Georgia.
Buying a Home
Do You Have to Sign a Buyer Broker Agreement in Georgia? What Atlanta Buyers Need to Know in 2026
Georgia law requires a signed buyer broker agreement before any home showing. Here is what it covers, who pays your agent, and what to check before
Buying a Home
Earnest Money in Georgia: How Much Do You Need, and When Can You Lose It?
In Georgia, buyers pay both earnest money and a nonrefundable due diligence fee. Here is how much to offer in Atlanta and when you are at
Buying a Home
Can a Buyer Back Out of a Real Estate Contract in Georgia?
Yes, but only within specific windows. Georgia buyers can exit during Due Diligence for any reason. After that, your earnest money is at risk.
Selling a Home
Can a Seller Back Out After Accepting an Offer in Georgia?
A seller in Georgia can back out of a signed contract, but only under specific conditions. Here is what the GAR contract allows and what your
Buying a Home
Georgia’s Intangibles Tax: What Atlanta Buyers Pay at Closing and Why It Surprises Them
Georgia charges a mortgage intangibles tax at closing. Here is what it is, who pays it, and how the amount is calculated.
Buying a Home
How to Negotiate Repairs After a Home Inspection in Atlanta, A Georgia Buyer’s Guide
Georgia buyers have the Due Diligence Period to negotiate repairs. Here's how to prioritize, what Atlanta sellers accept, and when to walk away.