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What to know when buying a home October to December

Yes, we know the spring/summer seasons are the most popular time of year for home buyers. And this year, here in Atlanta, it was a crazy, busy, competitive season. Of course, if you were a buyer in this market, you well know what I’m talking about.

If all the craziness had you sitting on the sidelines, or losing out on a few homes, now may just be the perfect time for you to step back into the market. According to data released by Trulia, October through December is the best time of year for buyers as home inventory goes up and prices improve.

Also, in general, there are fewer buyers in the market and sellers are often eager to get their home sold and closed before the end of the year.

The combination of all of these factors make this time of year a great season to be shopping for a home and negotiating a competitive price. Speaking of negotiation – if you know me, you know I love negotiating a great deal 😉 – here are a few of the points of the deal that I like to use as leverage to get you a great deal on your home purchase during the fourth quarter.

Tax benefits

By closing before the end of the year, you will get all the tax benefits to closing in 2018.

Need to close before the end of the year

Often corporate relocations happen in the fourth quarter, so if the seller needs to have their home sold and closed on before the end of the year we can offer a nice, neat closing process to meet their end of year deadline.

Where do we want to spend the holidays?

If the sellers want to spend one last Christmas in their home or be moved out in time to spend it in their new home, this can be a great negotiation piece to make their holiday desires happen.

So, how about it? Are you ready to take advantage of the pendulum swinging closer to the buyer’s favor this season? If so, I’m happy to help you find your perfect place here in Atlanta, all wrapped up in a holiday bow.

~Jess

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What to do when you home is not selling

As a Realtor®, I’ve seen this situation many times – especially in a seller’s market like we’re experiencing now here in Atlanta – a seller puts their home on the market, the days and weeks go by with some interest but no reasonable offers. They begin to get frustrated, questioning everything, and ultimately ask their real estate agent, why is my home not selling?

It’s a valid question and one I recommend you ask if you’re in this situation. If I’m asked this question, or asking it of myself when one of my listings is not selling, here’s the thought process I go through.

First, has it been on the market for at least two weeks?

I use two weeks as a good benchmark because buyers are typically buying “off the top,” meaning the buyers actively in the market are buying the newer listings as opposed to the older listings. This is why pricing right early on matters so much. Being priced right from the outset ultimately allows sellers to get a better price in a shorter amount of time. So, if there have not been any serious offers, it may be time to make some adjustments. If your home is positioned and priced well, it should sell.

The next step is to consider the price.

Even in a seller’s market, pricing is a huge factor. There are so many considerations when coming up with the right price and if they have not all been properly calibrated, the house will sit, or take much longer to sell. I always tell my clients, that the market will communicate to us what’s going on and if we’re not priced right, the message will come in the form of no offers. So, as a rule of thumb, if you have not received any offers within two weeks of listing, you are priced too high.

Ask, how move-in ready is my home?

The largest pool of homebuyers right now is Millenials and Baby Boomers. Both populations want move-in ready homes. They do not want lots of projects, renovations, or updates when they move in. So, my recommendation is to tour your home with the eyes of a young buyer with a young family. How ‘2018’ is your home? Are the colors updated? Is the home ready to accommodate children? Older homes are great for young families, as long as they have fresh paint (interior and exterior), updated appliances, and newer flooring – at a minimum. I’m thinking of a listing right now that I know would sell in a hot second if only the exterior paint colors were updated.

Ask, how ‘show-ready’ is my home?

Remember, once you list your home, it becomes a ‘show home.’ Help your home look its best for showings by making sure it’s decluttered and staged to show off it’s best features. You never get a second chance to make a good first impression!

Remember, timing is everything.

Before listing your home, make sure to have the conversation with your agent about timing. There are optimal times of the year for certain properties. For example, single family homes in the suburbs are going to sell for the best price and the quickest during the spring/summer months when families are out of school and more eager to move before the next school year begins. High rise condos often sell the best later in the year when corporate relocations are most common. How will timing affect your listing?

Ask potential buyers why.

If you want to know why your home is not selling, just ask. When potentially perfect buyers tour your home and don’t buy, it’s a good idea to ask them why. What would they like to see in your home to make it more desirable? What are the factors keeping them from putting in an offer? Your agent can help with this, but survey those that tour the home and see if you can get some helpful ideas for how to better sell your home.

For example, I sold a gorgeous older home with a very contemporary interior. Buyers that wanted an older home wanted a more traditional interior and buyers that loved the contemporary interior were also looking at newly built homes, not older homes. So, there was a disconnect. Learning this helped me to better position the home to the ‘right’ buyers and the home sold.

The bottom line is that if your home is not selling, there’s lots you can do to change things up and help get it sold within your desired timeline. Don’t give up! Ask your Realtor®’s advice and see what you can do together to increase interest.

Happy selling!

~Jess

 

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Buying an Investment Property: Vacation Home Edition

How many times have you been to a gorgeous vacation destination and thought, “yes, I could live here?” Well, maybe this is the year that you do it! Yep, buy a vacation home. What do you think? If you’re considering it, this post is for you because it’s not quite the same as buying your primary home. There are some tips and advice I have for you that will  help you make an informed, wise – and really exciting – decision.

Picking the Location

When picking the perfect location to buy a vacation home, there are a few considerations. Choose a location that you’re familiar with that really resonated with you and your family. Make sure it’s a place you want to keep visiting again and again. Visit multiple times with the eyes and ears of owning a home there. Remember, owning a vacation home is different than a primary residence, so maybe you’d consider a lower maintenance home like a condo or townhome.

What’s your goal?

Before beginning the process of buying a vacation home, you need to know what you and your family’s goal is with the home. Are you planning to keep it for yourselves and sell when your family’s needs change. For example, buying a condo near Disney World may be less usable when your kids get older. Or perhaps you want a property in a hot short-term rental market so that you can make money on it when you’re not there. Do you want it to be a property you keep in the family and pass on to your children?

What will it cost?

Once you’ve decided on a location, I can help you determine the cost of ownership in that area so you can have a solid understanding of how the vacation home fits into your budget. We will consider the costs of financing, costs of owning the home, the tax and maintenance implications; even the costs to travel to and from you vacation home. Remember, the mortgage for a vacation home will have different terms and requirements so let’s figure it all out so you have no surprises.

Assemble a good team

Finally, you’ll want to assemble a trustworthy team that includes a local real estate agent, lender (if needed), and a possibly a property management firm to help be your eyes and ears when you’re not there. Make sure that you are also getting good legal and financial advice on how to structure the purchase, especially if it is in a foreign country.

In addition to being a Realtor®, I am a real estate attorney, so please reach out if you would like my advice on your purchase or help finding a Realtor® in the area where you are considering buying your vacation home.

Buying a vacation property can be an exciting and rewarding experience, as well as a great opportunity for income and creating a legacy. These steps will get you started in the right direction; however, please reach out and I can help you through the process.

~Jess

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Insider Strategies for Buyers

As a home buyer, have you ever felt at a disadvantage, whether it be because it’s a sellers’ market or you’re just plain intimidated by large, complex financial transactions like buying a home? Most of us have at one time or another.

I’m willing to bet you’d love some insider secrets for your next purchase. Well, my friend, that’s what I’ve got for you today! I’m a Realtor® now, but in my previous career I was a real estate attorney, so when I combine both of those skill sets I’ve got lots of great tips to help give you the confidence to feel like a budding real estate tycoon for your next home purchase.

Define your ‘win?’

The first thing you need to do is define what makes a win for you. Yes, getting your optimum purchase price is what most people think of first, however, there are other aspects of the deal that will make it a win, in addition to the financial piece. In a seller’s market it may seem tough for sellers to go for a win but we can negotiate some winning terms such as sellers contributing to closing costs and getting your preferred date for closing and transfer of possession. Or a win may be purchasing that piece of furniture you noticed fits exquisitely in one certain space in the home. Keep an open mind and be sure to discuss with your Realtor®.

In a multiple offer scenario

Find out how you can offer to sweeten the deal. Do the sellers need a quick sale? Do they need a specific closing date further in the future because of their constraints? Can you offer a cash purchase or shorter due diligence? Consider including an escalation clause in your contract, which allows your offer to be automatically escalated if counter-offers arise. Your agent should be willing to find out from the seller’s agent how a deal could be sweetened to get their attention. Be willing to act on those options.

Know what you’re buying

Since you are ultimately responsible for the home you are purchasing, make sure all the necessary due diligence is being completed. For example, make sure to have a home inspection, a survey and a radon test. I also recommend my clients request a home warranty and a termite bond. These items are not always standard practice, so protect yourself and your investment to insure they’re done properly and you have seen the results of any of the inspections and tests.

Above all, choose to work with a Realtor® that will represent you and your interests well. They need to listen to you and be willing to go the extra mile to make your purchase a success. If you need that kind of agent, I’m happy to help you! Please reach out by phone or text at 404.218.6714 or visit my website at www.jesscs.com.

Happy House Hunting!

~Jess

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Insider strategies for a successful sale

Yes, it is a seller’s market, but having a successful, uncomplicated sale is not effortless. It takes planning and work and the more consideration we put into the sale of your home, the more money you will make and the happier you and your buyers will be. So, I’m inviting you behind the curtain, backstage for some pointers on what you can do to insure the successful, uncomplicated sale of your Atlanta Luxury Home.

  1. Know your buyer. Today’s buyers, more than ever, prefer move-in ready homes. If you have been putting off basic updates, like carpets, paint, or floors, get those done before putting your home on the market. Your home will sell faster and for more money if it’s been updated with a neutral color palette.
  2. Timing is everything. Timing also has to do with knowing your buyer. Is your home ideally suited for a family? If so, you may want to time your listing so that buyers with kids can close and move during the spring/summer when school’s out. However, if you are selling an intown penthouse in a high-rise building, you may want to time your sale near the end of the year when lots of corporate transfers happen. Discuss the best timing with your agent.
  3. Marketing out of the box. Even in a seller’s market, you’ve got to market your home like a pro. Make sure your agent presents you with a thorough marketing plan that includes professional photography and videography as well as staging. The marketing plan should also include strategies such as social media and an open house for agents. If you want to fetch top dollar for your home, it’s got to look like a top dollar home. Buyers can spot value and they will willingly pay if they feel they are getting their money’s worth.
  4. Have a plan. Murphey’s Law is alive and well in real estate so I like to discuss expectations with my clients and have lots of contingency plans and strategies. For example, we’ll choose a starting price for the home, but if market factors change and comparables and competing properties pop up, we need to have a plan for how we will adjust for success.
  5. Assess the strength of the buyer. And, finally, if you want an uncomplicated transaction, assess the strength of the buyer before entering into a sales contract with them. I like to look for factors such as a short due diligence period. Now in Georgia, eager buyers can even offer option money, which is basically a good will gesture to sellers. At the end of the day, we like to see a clean offer from a buyer in a strong financial position that’s not asking for lots of contingencies.

If you look forward to a streamlined, successful sale of your home, these pointers will help you get there. And, equally as important as the above tips is choosing the right team members to work with that you can trust. As a third generation Atlantan and practicing real estate attorney I would be happy to guide you through the sale of your home and together we can make it as successful and uncomplicated as possible. Please reach out if I can be of any help to you.

~Jess

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Welcome to the Spring Home Buying Season: Luxury Home Market Update

Happy Spring, y’all! I just love the hope and promise of this time of year as we see the trees budding and spring bulbs blooming. Of course, in the housing market thoughts turn toward the peak home buying and selling season. Are you preparing for a move this year? If so, you may be interested to see how the Atlanta Luxury Home Market shaping up so far this year to help you make wise choices when it comes to your next move. Here’s what I’m seeing:

Housing market is strong in Atlanta.

So far this year, we’ve seen about 144 homes sell for $1 million and up (You can take a look at them HERE), with another 25 under contract (view them HERE), as of the publishing of this article.. Inventory has still been a little tight; however, it seems that the luxury market is leveling out a bit. The pendulum may be swinging toward buyers’ favor slightly.

Speaking of buyers, they’re looking for value.

Buyers are holding out for value, if the home is priced right, it’s selling; but they’re not going for homes over-priced. If you are listing your home, be sure that it’s priced right. For some guidance, take a look at my recent post on Pricing Right for some valuable tips. It also pays to have a plan for negotiations and what you’re willing to bring to the table or concede during your sale. As a practicing real estate attorney and Realtor® I’m happy to offer any advice or assistance. 😉

Still time to beat the rush.

Want to time the market? Beat the rush of competition? The good news is, it’s not too late! The peak season is upon us but we’re early yet, competition for homes is still at early-year levels. But if you’re ready to make a move, whether that means listing or buying, let’s get moving! Beginning the process now allows you to have more options and better, more serious buyers. I’m happy to work with you to accomplish your real estate goals for this year.

I often have clients and friends ask me if now is a good time to sell their home and upgrade to their next one with the tax law changes, rising mortgage rates, tight housing market. The answer is unequivocally, yes, it’s a great time! The facts are that the economy and job market here in Atlanta are great, the tax laws didn’t change much as far as your home purchase or sale goes; and mortgage rates are still historically low. The average mortgage rate over the last 45 years is near 8.5% for a 30-year fixed rate loan and current rates are hovering near 4.45% (according to Freddie Mac).

Here in Atlanta we’re looking forward to a healthy Q2 of 2018; so if you’d like to see how you can capitalize on this market, feel free to reach out, I’m happy to explore your options and see how we can help you achieve your real estate goals in 2018!

~Jess

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Location, Location, Location

We’ve all heard the title’s axiom about buying real estate, but what does that exactly mean for buyers of luxury real estate in Atlanta? As a 3rd generation Atlantan, I’ve seen lots of changes in this city and I’ve had the chance to experience many of our city’s neighborhoods in many different phases of my life and my family’s lives.

Now as a Realtor® it’s fun to get to share with my clients – and now you – all I’ve learned over the years about the best places to live for the various seasons of life. I cover my top picks in this article and soon will be publishing a downloadable map that you can take with you as you go and explore these neighborhoods yourself. And, of course, I’m always happy to chat with you about finding the right Atlanta neighborhood and home for you and your family.

Smyrna/Vinings

Nicknamed “Smynings,” these two adjacent suburbs have become the latest “it” communities thanks to the new, SunTrust Park, home of the Atlanta Braves as well as new neighborhoods, dining, and entertainment popping up. Smynings is located just across the Chattahoochee River from Atlanta.

My Insider Info: Smyrna is a city, Vinings is not, it’s a small portion of town and in Cobb County. This is a great area for families, very family-friendly; plus, Cobb County taxes are the lowest in metro-Atlanta. With the new Braves stadium in the area there are lots of new restaurants and entertainment options. For example, The Battery is a new live-work-play development. There’s fun galore and you’re close to both the airport and downtown.

West Midtown

Once largely an industrial area, the Westside of Atlanta is experiencing a re-birth and being developed into a hip scene of urban living, working, and playing. There are numerous new housing and mixed-use developments popping up as vintage warehouses are being given make-overs and becoming home to new businesses flooding into Atlanta. This area is generally defined as west of Northside Drive and Georgia Tech, south of Buckhead, east of Marietta Blvd, and north of Hollowell Parkway.

My Insider Info: This is a booming, newer area that’s got lots of hot, new restaurants; a Whole Foods Market is coming. It’s also adjacent to the Beltline above ground trail system, which is nice for those that like to get around on foot or bicycles as Atlanta doesn’t have a great mass transit system. This area is perfect for young professionals that want to be in a fun, up and coming area.

Buckhead

Buckhead now comprises 22 Atlanta neighborhoods that make up the northern fifth of the city of Atlanta. The area is summed up in one word: upscale. The area is known for its elegant residential areas, Rodeo-Drive-like shopping experiences, and awe-inspiring architecture and landscapes. Buckhead is also a major economic and financial center of the Southeast.

My Insider Info: There’s something for everyone in Buckhead, if you have the budget – from skyrise condos on Peachtree Street to sprawling family homes in Kingswood (where the Governor’s mansion is), to the family feel of Garden Hills. The best shopping in Atlanta is in Buckhead at Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza!

Brookhaven

This area is a northeastern suburb of Atlanta that just recently, in 2012, became a city. Even though it’s a newly minted ‘city,’ it’s full of history as well as historic homes, cottages, and bungalows. With a population around 50,000, it is now the largest city in DeKalb County. The area is known as an affluent area with spacious homes and high-quality public and private schools.

My Insider Info: Brookhaven is a booming suburb, north and east of Buckhead. It has a mix of fantastic traditional homes and new construction options. The area is great for professionals and families. Residents love that it’s close to Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Buckhead, and lot of shopping options.

Midtown

This area of Atlanta is sandwiched between Buckhead to the north and Downtown Atlanta to the south. It’s all that you’d expect of an urban lifestyle – cultural attractions, great dining and entertainment as well as high-rise residences. It’s also home to Georgia Tech University and Georgia State University. Midtown is also known for being easily walkable and bike-friendly; and many of the young hipsters that live here enjoy Piedmont Park.

My Insider Info: Midtown is Atlanta city living at its best. It has tremendous walkability, Piedmont Park, and Ansley park. This area is perfect for those who want intown living, an intown commute, and the joys of living in the city.

Old Fourth Ward

Called O4W for short, this is one of the oldest and most historic areas of Atlanta. Martin Luther King Jr. grew up here and delivered many sermons at Ebenezer Baptist Church located here. You can still visit his boyhood home, now known as the MLK Jr Historic Site. Most recently, this area, on the eastside of Atlanta has experienced a renaissance as its abandoned warehouses are being converted to lofts and mixed-use commercial spaces for small businesses. With attractions like Beltline Trail, Ponce City Market, and lots of new homes, this area is one of the top 10 best places to live in America.

My Insider Info: This area has seen so much change and is now teeming with new construction. It’s close to midtown with the feel and livability similar to midtown but without midtown prices. It’s got great walkability, the Ponce City market, and lots of very cool attractions. It offers newer and additional opportunities compared to midtown. It’s still developing so it’s a great option for home buyers wanting to be in up and coming, fun, new area. It also has great proximity to Interstate.

I could go on and on about all the wonderful neighborhoods in our fine city. Hopefully this provides you with some ideas of areas that fit into your lifestyle and season of life. I’m happy to further explore with you personally which areas and communities within them might be the best fit for you and your family. Reach out today. I’m here to help!

~Jess

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New Year, New Opportunities: Atlanta Luxury Real Estate Edition

Happy New Year to you! This is going to be a GREAT year! The beginning of a new year is such a fantastic time to grab hold of your plans, dreams, and goals and put them into action, right?! It’s also a time to think about your plans for your home. Are you considering relocating, upgrading, downsizing or buying an investment property? If so, I’ve got some valuable inside information to help you have greater success in your home transactions this year.

As for the Atlanta real estate market, we are expecting much strength in home listings and purchases this year as the Atlanta job market and overall economy are both very healthy and strong. According to the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) real estate sales in the Southern states will outpace that of the rest of the nation. Housing inventory is expected to rise for the first time since September 2015, opening up more opportunities for buyers and leading to an increase in home sales over and above 2017’s record breaking year.

As for the luxury market, where I specialize, we see the market looking good as well. Yes, I know the media talks lots about how the new Tax Reform will affect housing and according to our brokerage and NAR alike, the net-net affect of tax reform will be minimal on our strong, healthy housing market. One of our top selling Atlanta Realtors® is quoted as saying “no client has ever based their decision to buy or sell a home on changes in the tax code.” I agree. (If you’d like to read a deeper dive on Tax Reform, visit Beacham’s great article.) So, let’s consider your goals for this year regarding real estate.

Sellers

If you are planning on listing a home for sale this year, let me be the first to advise you that now is the perfect time to get rolling on your plans. Not only does it take time to get your home ready for sale; but also, these 12 weeks before the peak home selling season begins in the spring are the prime time to capture buyer interest as many buyers begin their search online in January. We see significant spikes in web traffic on searches for homes during the month of January.

As a seller you can grab a competitive advantage, which is especially important in the luxury end of the market as the volume of buyers are fewer. So, what can you do right now to begin your preparations?

  1. Begin to Stage and De-clutter – Please give me a call and I’m happy to visit your home, discuss your options and help you begin to think about staging and decluttering your home to make it look its best.
  2. List any needed repairs, maintenance, or improvements – Many of today’s luxury buyers want updates and upgrades done before they move in. But which ones? We can create a plan together to address home improvement items so we can earn top dollar on your sale. I have lots of trusted resources I can recommend to help us each step of the way.
  3. Your Timeline and Next Steps? Once you decide to list your home, you need to think about your timeline, when you’d like to close, what commitments you currently have (i.e., vacations, obligations) that you will need to work around. Also, think through all the scenarios and timing regarding your next move. Will you buy right away or move into a rental? Where will your belongings be stored? We can walk through these details together as we put together a plan for you.

 

Buyers

For those looking to buy, now is a great time to begin your search. In many price-points, inventory has been a challenge for Atlanta home buyers. If you’ve been one of them, consider this time of year your VIP Preview to the peak home buying season. Now is the time you can get in and see homes with fewer buyers in the market. So, what can you do now to prepare to purchase?

  1. Set your budget – Whether you are paying cash or using mortgage financing, now is the time to get your finances in order, see how much you have for a down payment, and call your mortgage advisor to get pre-qualified.
  2. Make your wish list – What are you looking for in a home? What are your non-negotiables? What are your nice-to-haves? What are the neighborhoods and school districts that you’d like to be in? Discuss these with your spouse, partner, or family members and come up with a realistic list.
  3. Determine your timeline – Start thinking about your timeline. Do you have any restrictions or requirements on when you can and/or want to move based on work, school, or planned trips? For example, many families prefer moving in the summer, so kids can start the new school year in their new school. We’ll do our best to find a home and a seller that can work within your timeline.

Whether you plan to list your home or buy this year, now is your prime time to get started! All this month, I will be providing valuable tools for sellers and buyers to jump start your housing plans for this year. Reach out as I’m happy to guide you toward your goals in 2018.

All the best to you this year!

~Jess

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Been thinking about an investment property?

If you have considered buying an investment property, now is an ideal time here in Atlanta! Now, I’m not a financial advisor, but I think a financial advisor would agree that buying real estate can be a great way to diversify your investments.

As for the rental market in Atlanta, it’s looking good! The rental website Zumper just came out with its most recent report on rental trends in Atlanta and get this, the median monthly rent for a one-bedroom here has gone up 3.7 percent this year to $1,330. Add to that the home price appreciation level sits at 5.28 percent, according to the latest S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Home Price Index. With the housing market so favorable and mortgage rates still at great levels, now is a great time to explore whether property investment is right for you. So, if you’re interested, what can you do to begin exploring your options?

1              Run the numbers – First, you’ll need to determine how much you can afford to buy. You may want to make a call to your mortgage loan officer to run some numbers with you based on how much money you have as a down payment and how much loan you could qualify for. Once you know approximately what your monthly costs would be, then you can figure out how much rent you’ll need to make to make have positive cash flow.

2              Start looking at some possible properties – What kind of property you buy is a big decision. There are definitely lots of options, depending on how involved in your property you want to be. Consider whether you’re most interested in an apartment, condo, townhouse or a single-family home? Do you want to own a relatively hands-off apartment? Or are you interested in buying a home and improving it? There are lots of options to consider that I can walk through with you.

3              Create the ideal scenario – Now that we know the financial model that we need to follow, as well as your budget for a property; and you have an idea of the type of landlord you’d like to be as well as the property you’re looking for we can focus in on the local properties on the market. Then we can take a look at potential properties and find just the right investment for you.

So, yes, buying an investment property in Atlanta can be a great way to build wealth for your future. I’m happy to guide you through all the scenarios and properties available as well as walk you through determining your financial model including cash flow and ROI. Let’s work together to help you make the best decision for your financial goals.

~Jess

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Relocating to Atlanta? Top Buyer Relocation Tips

Between now and the end of the year, lots of companies will be relocating folks to Atlanta. If you happen to be one of the lucky ones moving to our fine city and you are wishing you had the inside scoop on buying and living here, I’m here to help with a few insider tips for buyers relocating to the area. As a 3rd generation Atlantan and Realtor®, I’ve learned a few things along that way that can help you become a savvy Atlantan in no time.

Tip #1: Talk to people that know the city

The best way to figure out the area of the city that will suit you and your family the best is to talk to as many people as you can that either live here or have lived here. Reach out to your network on Facebook or LinkedIn and ask for recommendations and advice. As in many cities, being near the right schools is hugely important, so if you have school-aged kids you’ll want to talk to folks about our school system too.

Tip #2: Know what you want from a neighborhood

There are lots of great neighborhoods in Atlanta, which is nice but can also be overwhelming. You’ll need to consider what kind of lifestyle will work best for you and your family. For example, you’ll hear folks here talk about Inside the Perimeter (ITP) and Outside the Perimeter (OTP). Interstate 285 circles our city and the communities inside the circle are much more urban, city living, higher density, walkable; while OTP communities are more suburban, spread out, and can be less expensive.

Tip #3: Understand the Atlanta real estate situation

Once you have an idea of what you want from your neighborhood it’s time to discuss the realities of being a buyer in Atlanta. We have a very robust and competitive real estate market now; and as a buyer you’ll need to be patient, open to new ideas, and possibly face a multiple-offer situation. If you have a good real estate agent, they will be able to find homes that are off market and have access to information on quiet listings. I’ve been able to find homes for my clients in neighborhoods that had no homes for sale by speaking to current residents and persuading them to sell and to create opportunities that weren’t there before.

Tip #4: Consider traffic

Traffic in Atlanta, like many metro areas, is a major consideration when planning where to live, work, and go to school. If not planned out well, you could find yourself spending huge chunks of your days in the car, sitting in traffic. So, talk to locals – like me! – and plan out your commutes before you buy a home.

Tip #5: This is a good time to buy

This time of year, between now and the end of the year, is a great time to be shopping for a home. My friends in the mortgage business tell me rates are looking good still and as for the real estate market, the frenzy of the peak home buying season has tapered off some. What that means for you is that there are less buyers in the market and those that are shopping are generally more serious about buying.

I hope these tips help put you at ease about relocating to Atlanta and help you feel a little more savvy about shopping for a home here. If you have any questions or need some suggestions on neighborhoods you should consider relocating to, give me a call! I’d love to help!

~Jess