The task of looking for a home to buy can be both very exciting and very exhausting — especially in a larger metropolitan area. If you are looking for your first home here, just looking at a map of the number of available listings can be completely overwhelming. A house hunt in Atlanta brings to mind terms like “needle in a haystack.” Your dream home is here somewhere, but how in the world are you going to find it among all these options?
The key to a successful house hunt is to narrow your search, filtering out places that aren’t a good fit for you. Fortunately, thanks in part to the internet, and in part to the expertise of knowledgeable agents, even house hunting novices can navigate a complex housing market like Atlanta. Here are six practical tips for narrowing down your house hunt in Atlanta.
1. Get pre-approved for a loan
At first, this step might seem completely removed from your actual home search — but trust us, it helps. Talking to a mortgage broker first is one of the smartest things you can do because pre-approval immediately rules out any home for sale that is not in your price range, saving you lots of wasted time. Pre-approval will also give you credibility with sellers, making them more likely to accept an offer from you — plus, it streamlines the loan process itself once you go under contract.
2. Make two lists
Before starting your house hunt in Atlanta, we recommend making two separate lists. On one list, write down all the aspects of a home that are “must-haves” — anything that is non-negotiable for you. For example, if you need three bedrooms and two bathrooms, or if you won’t consider anything without a two-car garage, you can rule out any home that does not have these features. The second list is a “wish list” — things that you would like to have in a home but could do without.
Once you have made these two lists, review them while searching for homes online. The goal is to check all the boxes on your “must-have” list and as many boxes as possible on your “wish list,” without exceeding your budget. It’s a great method to focus your attention only on the homes you might actually want to buy.
3. Narrow your search by home type
Another way to filter out homes you don’t need to consider is to decide on a specific kind of home and only look at those homes. For example, if you are open-minded about buying either a luxury condo or a single-family home, now is the time to decide between the two. You can even take it further: would you like a newer home or a restored historic home? A classic bungalow or something more modern? The more detailed you are, the shorter your list becomes.
4. Narrow your search by neighborhood
Atlanta has a rich diversity of neighborhoods, each with its own characteristic charm, vibe and set of advantages. Do some homework on various popular Atlanta neighborhoods. Do you prefer the suburbs or perhaps a revitalized urban neighborhood with an artistic flavor? Do you want to live close to work? Do you want your kids to attend a specific school? Try to narrow it down to two-three target neighborhoods. If you don’t find what you are looking for, you can always tweak your search or add neighborhoods.
5. Pick one unique feature
To dive even deeper, try narrowing your search to one unique feature of a home — something perhaps a bit unusual or specific — that you would really like to have. Try picking one item from your wish list and honing in on that thing. The more unique it is, the narrower your search becomes.
6. Consult with an experienced agent
Of course, one of the best ways to narrow your house hunt in Atlanta is to work with an agent with lots of experience in Atlanta real estate — someone who knows the neighborhoods inside and out, someone who can help you pinpoint the key areas where you are most likely to find your dream home. When you are ready to begin your search, the team at Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty is here to help! For an appointment, give us a call at 404.948.4812.