Relocating to Atlanta

Welcome to Atlanta — A Good Place To Be!

Though the housing market is cooling off in some areas of the country, our Atlanta market continues to remain stable and firm. Here are some exciting things to keep in mind as you plan your move to our fine city:

  • Atlanta maintains a healthy job market.
  • Atlanta is a regional and international hub.
  • The Atlanta metro area has a diverse selection of housing choices — intown condos and lofts, affordable suburban communities, upscale golf and country club, prestigious Buckhead estates — and Atlanta still offers some of the best housing values in the nation.
  • According to SmartNumbers, Days on Market for existing homes sold in the metro area actually decreased by 2 days for the first six months of 2006 compared to the same period in 2005, and the price for an existing home sold increased by more than 4% over the same period: from $205,740 to $214,560.
  • Kiplinger's Personal Finance Report placed Atlanta fourth on its "50 Smart Places to Live" list, based on affordability and livability.
  • Nationally-known accounting firm KPMG calls Atlanta the "least costly place to do business among 23 metro areas with populations greater than 1.5 million."
  • Between 1990 and 2000, the 55-74 population group grew by 23.8% in Georgia, the 7th largest growth rate in the nation. Forecasters expect this rate to be even higher for the current decade thanks to hurricanes and rising housing costs in Florida and other Gulf states.
  • Forbes.com places Georgia at 10th in the nation as a "Best State for Business." It also ranks Atlanta 15th among metro areas. The study measures variables such as business cost, labor, regulatory environment, economic climate, growth prospects and quality of life.
  • US News and World Report recognizes four of our area universities: Georgia Tech ranks 8th on the top public universities, Emory is 18th and University of Georgia ranks 60th. The J. Mack Robinson School of Business at Georgia State ranks 24th among public universities.

Congratulations on your new position and your move to Atlanta!

Now is an exciting time and there is a lot to plan for. We should know; not only have we helped many clients just like you, we have personally relocated our families with corporations in the past. We know exactly what you are going through.

Prior to your first visit, please review the information below. It will make your house hunting trip much more enjoyable and successful. Preparation is key and this will trigger questions prior to your visit to help ease some of the stress of moving and starting a new job.

Review Buyer's Disclosure

You and your agent will discuss this upon your first meeting. It is GA law that any relationship between an agent and buyer needs to be defined and agreed upon prior to reviewing property. Click here to view a sample Buyer's Disclosure.

Review your relocation package.

  • Is there a clause against purchasing Stucco? If so does it specifically address synthetic vs. hardcoat?
  • Will your company be paying any of your closing costs? If so what exactly will they cover?
  • Which lenders are you requested to work with?

Questions to ask yourself and relay to your agent:

  • Are you handy? Do you want something that may be older, but in a highly appreciating neighborhood? Would you like to renovate or should it already be renovated?
  • Would you prefer newer construction? If so how new?
  • What fits your lifestyle? Single family, town home or condominium?
  • Is a long commute a deterrent or not an issue?
  • Do you need to be close to the international airport or a private airfield?
  • Are schools a major concern? Will you choose private or public?
  • Do you need to sell your current residence to purchase a new home?
  • How important is your social life and what do you enjoy? (i.e. clubs, restaurants, museums, sporting events, etc.)
  • Is a long commute a deterrent or not an issue?

Remember to bring:

  • Checkbook
  • Photo ID
  • Pre-Approval Letter (Be sure to contact your approved lender prior to your first house hunting trip. You may be pleasantly surprised by what you can afford!)
  • A list of properties your agent sent you that you are interested in viewing.