The #1 way to learn about something you've never done before? Ask others who’ve gone before! 

I’m not just a real estate agent you know - I’m a proud Atlanta homeowner, too! My husband and I bought our first home together in 2007 in Lawrenceville, GA, and since then we’ve lived in 2 more homes in Decatur. So here’s me, taking off my agent hat, putting on my homeowner hat, and sharing with you what I wish I would have known BEFORE buying that first house.

Some things I wish I would have known:

• It sounds cliche but LOCATION. When we bought our first home in metro Atlanta, we ended up looking in an area we weren’t familiar with, and were charmed by the nicest house in the neighborhood. What I learned: you can always change a house through renovations and upgrades, but it’s reallllly hard to change a neighborhood, if not impossible. Not only was this location not a great fit for us, but it was far away from friends and all the things we liked to do. Location really matters!

• To always shop around for a mortgage. The mortgage that is right for you might not be right for your friend or family member. Everyone’s financial situation is nuanced. It’s best to ask your realtor for their local lender recommendations and talk to ALL of them. If you download my Buyer’s Guide, you’ll see what questions are best to ask.

• To boost your emergency fund first. After you purchase your first Atlanta home, something will break. Sooner than you think. Homeownership is a neverending project and you want to make sure there are funds available for surprises or fixes you will for sure encounter.

• Know how much property taxes are and how they’re trending. Property taxes usually go up. It’s a fact of life. Make sure you understand how they might look a few years out and determine if they’ll still be affordable for you.

• Always buy in a good Atlanta school district. Even if you don’t have children and don’t plan to. Someday you might want to sell, or even refinance. Homes in good school districts are more likely to hold their value through economic changes. They are also more likely to appreciate at a higher level. So make sure you consider schools, no matter your personal situation.

• Drive by the house at different times of day to see what the neighborhood is really like. I like to go at different times of the day. Better yet, take a strool through the neighborhood. This will help you get a feel for the community spirit and make sure you can picture yourself there. We did this with our current home in Decatur, GA, and it was a major part of why we decided to move here.

Where are my fellow homeowners? Let’s help a buyer out: what do you wish you would have known before buying - the good, the bad, and the ugly? Send me a message and I’ll share your tips on my Instagram!