Real talk.

It might seriously be time to ditch the landlord, buy an Atlanta home, and make your own rules. Not sure? This quick 5-question quiz may help you know for sure.

“If you’re new to the Atlanta area, you might want to wait a few months and get your bearings. I promise you’ll know what areas feel like home after a while. ”

— Sara Cowley, Atlanta Realtor

Can you afford a down payment? You don’t need piles of cash, but you do need a little (say 3-10% of the home price) to qualify for a competitive interest rate. If you’re intimidated by the lending process, reach out to me to discuss. I’ve been through this with many buyers and can help connect to you someone who can educate you as you move through the process. It’s very important to feel comfortable and understand what you’re getting into.
Do you have regular income? Two years of employment history is preferred, but other factors, such as a high credit score and low debt-to-income ratio, can sub for less than two years. If you’re self-employed or own a business (like myself!), you’ll need at least 2 years of tax returns to have ready.
Do you know where you want to live? If you’re new to the Atlanta area, you might want to wait a few months and get your bearings. I promise you’ll know what areas feel like home after a while. There are so many Atlanta neighborhoods to explore.
Do you plan on staying put for a while? No one knows the future, but sticking around for 2-5 years is ideal if you can make it work. This helps ensure you’ll have some equity in your Atlanta home when it comes time to sell.
Are you comfortable with current home prices? Sure, they’re higher than you’d like, but when you run the numbers, you feel confident you can make the budget work. It’s best to talk to a lender and have a clear understanding of your monthly payment - that is key.