Buying or selling a home is not an easy process, particularly in the current market. Buyers often underestimate the potential costs, whereas some sellers lack the information to make their homes sellable. You’ll need to be well informed when selling or buying in Cherokee County, GA.
Today, we’re answering all your burning questions about home ownership in these amazing areas. This way, you’ll be better prepared for moving to Cobb County, GA or Cherokee County, GA.
How much can you afford when buying a home?
The question of affordability usually depends on several factors. Folks without a professional real estate agent or realtor often spend a lot of time on third-party apps like Trulia or Zillow trying to find their true price point. In addition, these buyers have absolutely no clue because they have not been pre-approved by a mortgage professional and have no access to market updates.
Our professional real estate agents or realtors are a great community resource for Cherokee County, GA and Cobb County, GA property sales. Your realtor will have more recent market updates, so they’re likely to give you a more accurate price estimate. Here at Goad Home Partners, we specialize in those looking to move to these NW Atlanta areas and also helping those that live here sell and relocate to other areas here locally or nationally.
First, contact a lender to find out if you are approved for a home loan. The lender will look at your credit score, debt-to-income ratio, and annual income. A real estate professional can give you the details of their preferred lender. They likely already have a working relationship with somebody and can connect you with that person.
Once you’ve spoken to a lender, you'll find out exactly how much you have to spend. This will allow you to sit down with your real estate professional and figure out what you can afford and what areas make sense for you. We have preferred lenders that we work with each and every day and have developed partnerships with each other to care for our clients during each step of the home buying process. Once we get you set up with how much you are able to afford then you get to ask some of the fun questions that come along with the home buying journey.
Question to ask yourself in the process:
- What amenities Am I looking for?
- Am I looking for something in a homeowner's association?
We can unpack and dial these different things for you to save you a lot of time and stress.
What are the most desirable neighborhoods in the Metro Atlanta area?
Metro Atlanta has a bit of something for everybody. It has great suburbs, vibrant nightlife, recreation, and all the different amenities you could want in an area. So, the most desirable thing about the area will depend on what you like to do. On our Youtube Channel, we have created a resource to those looking to explore all the different communities that make up the Metro Atlanta area and we would encourage you to watch these videos and educate yourself on where might be a good fit for you. Here is the playlist on our channel Best Life Atlanta.
Are there any incentives for first-time homebuyers in the Metro Atlanta area?
There are a lot of incentives for first-time homebuyers. You can find a comprehensive list of all the different programs right here. However, these programs get overly used, so you have to apply quickly because their budget runs out.
What is the state of the market in the Metro Atlanta area?
We have a lot more buyers than sellers in the current market. 70% of American homeowners have a below 5% interest rate on their current home mortgage. So, they don’t want to risk selling only to buy for a much higher interest rate. Hence, this is a heavy seller's market because we have fewer homes to sell and a high buyer demand.
There are different smaller markets within the bigger Atlanta marketplace. There are diverse types of real estate, with single-family detached homes, big estates, condos, and townhomes. With all these different options, you’ll want a market professional who can take you through everything.
What are the most important steps when buying a home in Metro Atlanta, GA?
First, get pre-approved or figure out your financing and find a reliable agent for your specific market who sets boundaries and sets you up with a good search so you know exactly what's happening as you continue to look for a home.
Phase two is finding the home and putting it under contract, getting it inspected, going through negotiations, and talking to attorneys.
Phase three is getting it closed, signing all the paperwork, and becoming a homeowner. At this stage, you’ve figured out what you love or hate about the home and what you're going to change.
Things to know if you’re selling a home in Cobb County or Cherokee County, GA
We list a lot of different properties in both Cobbs and Cherokee County, GA. So, we have experienced real estate professionals who have all you need to push your home out to the masses, from regular market updates to an active online presence.
What is the current state of the real estate market in Atlanta, GA, and how is it going to impact the sale of my home?
The price estimate of your home in third-party apps like Zillow, Trulia, and Redfin is not always 100% accurate. Their estimates can be up to $10, 000–20,000 over or under asking, which can affect the sale of your home and how long it sits on the market.
I always sit with the clients I represent and look at the MLS data research on their homes, including comparables, levels of luxury, size of the lot, size of the house, and neighborhoods. These different items affect the market value of your home. We're not appraisers, but we try to get as close as we can to a fair market value.
At what price do I list my house?
I look at the data. For instance, how fast was the home comparative home sold? What did it look for? What did it sell for? What was the square foot price of that home? These factors can all impact the sale of your home. We also look at comparative active listings in your area to see how much you can list your home for.
What are the effective strategies for marketing and showcasing a home in Atlanta, GA?
The first focus is on curb appeal. This ensures that people can be mesmerized as they first approach the house. Then, declutter your house to make sure things look simple and clean. Invest in professional photography and videography, not just for the MLS but also for social media platforms.
We use YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and all the different avenues to get your property in front of the masses.
Are there any specific renovations or repairs I should do to sell my home in Atlanta, GA?
Absolutely! Prioritize the structural things or high-maintenance items such as siding, water leakage, and electrical issues. I always go through the home after we've done the listing consultation to see what a visual inspection looks like. We’re not inspectors, so we can only point out obvious issues. We've combed through several inspection reports, and we know exactly what shows up there. We like to address those so we can have a short inspection report.
Fresh paint, renovated kitchens, and renovated bathrooms are often a selling point. People are paying high dollar and with high interest rates. As such, a renovated home with nothing needed will sell faster and for more money than one that is not.
But you have to be conscious of your home value, how much money you have in the bank, and all the things you need for renovations. Then create a spreadsheet of all those numbers to see if a renovation financially makes sense for you.
How much is the closing cost to sell a home in Atlanta, GA right now?
As a seller, you're looking at 4–9%. Typically, the seller pays the real estate agent’s commission. The listing agent then shares part of that commission with the buyer's agent. Your closing cost will also depend on the debts or liens you may have or what's owed on the house.
For buyers, it’s 3–6%. You're typically paying attorney fees, loan generation fees, and taxes. These different things are usually prorated.
To watch our entire video on this, check it out on YouTube here. Buying and Selling A Home In Cobb and Cherokee County, Georgia
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