10 Tips for First-Time Home Buyers in Atlanta, GA

Buying a house can be a daunting task for anyone, especially if it’s your first time. It’s easy to make mistakes or get overwhelmed if you don’t know where to start. Luckily, we have decades of experience helping clients find their dream homes, and we know just how to help! Here are 10 tips to help your first Atlanta home purchase be a success!

Start Saving Up Early
Keep Your Credit Score Strong
Decide What You Can Afford
Consider Mortgage Options
Look Into Assistance Programs
Stay Within Your Budget
Fully Utilize Open Houses
Negotiate With the Seller
Buy Quality Home Insurance
Pick a Good Real Estate Agent

1. Start Saving Up Early

It’s no secret that there are a lot of costs involved in buying a house. One great way to make paying these costs easier is to set aside money long before you intend to buy a house at all. If you’ve already been saving up for a while, you’ll already have a starting point to pay for things like your down payment, closing costs, and home repairs.

2. Keep Your Credit Score Strong

Having a high credit score can substantially lower the interest rate you pay on your home, and can make it easier to navigate loans and mortgages. Before you consider buying a house, start tracking your credit score and taking steps to keep it strong.

3. Decide What You Can Afford

As with any large financial decision, you need to come up with a budget that leaves you with wiggle room after you buy your home. It’s important to know exactly what your limit is so you can have a clear idea of your price range and the houses you should be considering.

4. Consider Mortgage Options

Most mortgage plans fall under one of four categories: conventional mortgages, FHA loans, USDA loans, and VA loans. These all vary in terms of down payment, timeframe, and who has access to them. Before shopping for a home, do some research and decide which mortgage plan would suit you best. And at EmpowerHome Team, we have our very own in-house Mortgage Company, EmpowerHome Mortgage, which can help you get pre-approved fast so you can move into your dream home! Visit HERE for more information!

5. Look into Assistance Programs

There are lots of programs, both online and in-person, designed to help first-time home buyers make the right decisions and get help or advice where it’s needed. Many states offer these programs in different cities and counties, and it might be a great idea to research these if you have questions about buying a home and could benefit from professional advice.

6. Stay Within Your Budget

One of the most important rules when buying a home is to stay within the budget you’ve set for yourself. The pressure can be high when you’re bidding against someone to pay whatever it takes to get your dream home, but in the end, it’s never worth it to end up owing more money than you have to give. If you have to give up on one house because the price gets too high, don’t fret! There are other houses on their way to the market.

7. Fully Utilize Open Houses

When touring a house you’re considering, keep an eye out for any red flags that might point toward serious issues. Is there any water damage, or any appliances that may need replacing? Really get a feel for the rooms and think about how the house might suit your needs. Voice any questions or concerns you might have, and your real estate agent will have the answers you need.

8. Negotiate with the Seller

During the negotiation period, you can ask the seller to make repairs to the house beforehand or even pay a portion of the closing costs for you. Their willingness to do these things will depend on the current state of the housing market in Atlanta and the demand for the home, so be sure to discuss any negotiation tactics you have with your real estate agent first.

9. Buy Quality Home Insurance

Look into different homeowner’s insurance plans and make sure you’re prepared for anything that comes your way. The last thing you want to do is not invest in quality insurance and be caught having to pay for home repairs out of pocket.

10. Pick a Good Real Estate Agent

Since they are the avenue through which you find and buy a home, a real estate agent can really make or break your house-hunting experience. You want to make sure you pick an experienced agent who has the knowledge and skill to find you the best deal for your dream home. At EmpowerHome Team, we have decades of Real Estate experience, so you can rest assured that we know just how to find you the perfect house stress-free! Call us today to find out what sets us apart from other realtors!

You’re on Track to Find the Right Real Estate Agent

If you’re a first-time buyer who still has questions, don’t worry! You’ve come to the right place. Buy Any Home From Us & If You Are Not Completely Satisfied We Will Buy It Back Or Sell It For FREE* No Gimmicks! For more information on this Peace of Mind Guarantee, Call us at 404-777-5803. Visit us at https://empowerhome-team.com/buy-back-guarantee-atlanta/.

If you’re a first-time buyer who still has questions, don’t worry! We’ve got you covered! On the first Tuesday of every month, we hold a FREE virtual First-Time Homebuyer Workshop for people just like you, who are looking to take the next big step in life! Hosted by Sarah Reynolds, EmpowerHome CEO, our workshop will tell you all the helpful insider tips you need to know before you buy your first home, including: