Curb Appeal

The first impression of your home will occur before shoppers ever approach your front door. Make it count by giving your home’s exterior a complete sprucing up, from the curb and sidewalk in front of your yard to the porch and front door that lead indoors. Landscaping does not have to be elaborate, but a handful of well-placed shrubs or flowers will make a big difference in the welcoming appearance of your home. A clean, swept walk and porch will also give a good first impression to potential buyers that come to call.

The Odor Factor

There are few factors that will turn off potential buyers faster than the odor factor. If they walk into a home that smells of mold, cigarettes or animals, they are sure to walk right back out again. Eliminate lingering odors by giving your house a deep cleaning before posting the “For Sale” sign in the front yard. Then, enhance your home’s aroma by placing a few drops of vanilla extract into a baking dish of water and placing it in a 200° oven before you vacate for a showing.

Fix it, Don’t Forget It!

Those small repairs around the house that you have been putting off may have an impact on the salability of your home. Now is the time to fix the leaky faucet, squeaky door hinge or loose cabinet door. If you don’t know how to make the repair on your own, hire a professional for the job. Today’s buyers have enough selection in Atlanta real estate to choose the houses that are move-in condition, and those small fixes will bring your house up to par.

Making your Atlanta real estate stand out from the rest takes some investment at the beginning, but the rewards can be great. When your home shows better than the rest in the neighborhood, you are more likely to sell quickly and at the price you are hoping for.

Check Out These Atlanta Homes That Stand Out

Showing properties 1 - 5 of 500+. See more city of Atlanta real estate.
(all data current as of 2/22/2012)

1. $19,900,000 : 490 W Paces Ferry Road NW, Atlanta
   
   9 beds, 11 full, 4 part baths

   Year built: 2008

   Square foot source: Not Available
   
2. $14,900,000 : 65 Valley Road, Atlanta
   
   11 beds, 10 full, 4 part baths

   Home size: 11,407 sq ft

   Year built: 1934

   Square foot source: Tax Record
   
3. $11,500,000 : 421 Blackland Road NW, Atlanta
   
   7 beds, 9 full, 4 part baths

   Home size: 16,000 sq ft

   Year built: 2010

   Square foot source: Builder
   
4. $10,900,000 : 2900 Andrews Drive NW, Atlanta
   
   7 beds, 8 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 12,705 sq ft

   Year built: 1918

   Square foot source: Tax Record
   
5. $10,500,000 : 1867 W Wesley Road NW, Atlanta
   
   6 beds, 6 full, 5 part baths

   Year built: 2001

   Square foot source: Not Available
   

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Down Payment

The first big expense you will be faced with in purchasing a home is the required down payment. Down payment requirements vary based on the type of mortgage loan you choose. Many lenders require a minimum of 20 percent of the purchase price up front before the loan is issued. If you don’t have 20 percent to put down, you may still be able to get a mortgage loan for your dream house. However, you will have mortgage insurance added to your monthly payment, which can cost $100 or more each month.

Closing Fees

Standard closing costs are charged by the lender, and these might include charges for credit reports, appraisals and document filing fees. The title company will also charge a fee to insure the property against prior liens or encumbrances against the home. In addition, many borrowers pay “points” at closing, which is a percentage of the purchase price, to get the mortgage rate they can afford. Closing fees can vary greatly, but average just over $3,000 for a $200,000 mortgage.

Home Inspection

The home inspection is not included with the rest of the closing fees, but it is an essential component to a home purchase if you want peace of mind in knowing that the house you are purchasing is structurally sound. Home inspections are typically performed prior to closing, so that problems can be repaired prior to the purchase. Inspection costs also vary widely, with many paying between $150 and $700 for a full inspection. Fees are usually due at the time the inspection is performed.

Home ownership is a rewarding experience, but it comes with costs. By understanding the various charges you might be facing with your purchase, you can prepare for the expenses that will inevitably arise during the purchase process.

atlanta

New home buyers may be aware of some of the expenses associated with buying a home (closing costs and down payment money, for example), but there are a number of costs that pop up before closing rolls around.

As a buyer, it is always best to have a small amount of money set aside to cover additional expenses. Here are some of the initial expenses you can expect to encounter along the way to homeownership:

• Earnest Money – An earnest deposit, also known as “hand money” or “good faith money,” is essentially a deposit given to the sellers, along with a signed contract. The earnest deposit may vary, and is usually determined by the sellers but, in general, you should expect to give an earnest deposit of between $500 and $1,000. Any earnest money you give to the sellers will be applied to your home loan at closing. The only time you forfeit your earnest money is if you back out of the real estate deal (provided your departure isn’t covered in the contact’s contingencies). Expect to make out the earnest money check to the title company so that it can be applied at closing.
• Home Inspection – A home inspection is, without a doubt, one of the most important things you can do to protect yourself in the home buying process. Some buyers forgo a home inspection to save a few hundred dollars, but this could end up costing them big (and I mean big) in the long run. You can expect to pay anywhere from $200 to $400 for a home inspection. Home inspections are important because, not only can they reveal large flaws in the home, but they can also provide you with the tools necessary to negotiate with the seller. A home inspection will likely be the best couple hundred dollars you’ve ever spent.
• Pest Inspection/Termite Inspection – In some areas of the country, pest and termite inspections are required by law; in other areas, they are not. Even if you are not forced to have these inspections done,  they are highly recommended because, once again, you are taking important steps to protect your investment.