Questions Atlanta buyers and sellers ask before they call

A practical guideline: keep your total monthly housing payment, principal, interest, taxes and insurance, at or below 28% of your gross monthly income, and total debt at or below 36%. Work backward from the full monthly payment, not the listing price. Tennyson runs this math with every buyer before the search starts.

Georgia Dream offers up to $10,000 in 0% deferred assistance for first-time buyers. Peach Plus covers 3.5% of the price or up to $10,000, with a 4% or $12,500 PEN/CHOICE option for educators, nurses, protectors and active military. Atlanta Housing offers up to $20,000 for eligible first-time buyers. Not every lender originates these loans, so Tennyson connects buyers with lenders who do.

You do not legally need one, but buyers represented by an agent typically negotiate better terms, avoid costly mistakes and understand every document they sign. In a balanced market, an agent who knows the comps, the inspection process and the paperwork is worth far more than the commission.

A short sale is a home sold for less than what is owed on the mortgage, with the lender agreeing to accept the shortfall. The lender must approve the price and terms, which is why short sales take longer and carry more paperwork. Tennyson has represented both buyers and sellers in short sales for over 20 years.

The inspection is your chance to learn the home's real condition before you commit. In a balanced market, sellers usually negotiate on findings. Tennyson helps buyers separate the must-fix items from the nice-to-haves, and helps sellers respond strategically without giving away the deal.

A typical financed closing runs 30 to 45 days from accepted offer to keys. Cash deals can close in as little as two weeks. The timeline depends on the lender, the appraisal and how quickly inspections are scheduled, all of which Tennyson coordinates and tracks.

Yes. VA loans offer no down payment, no private mortgage insurance, competitive rates and no loan limits for borrowers with full entitlement. Sellers can pay closing costs plus up to 4% in concessions. Tennyson works with lenders who originate VA loans regularly across the metro.

Sellers typically pay the listing and buyer-side commissions, closing costs and any concessions negotiated in the offer. Preparation costs vary by home. Tennyson lays out the full net-proceeds picture before you commit, so there are no surprises at the closing table.

Start with the three things that drive daily life: the commute, the schools and the lifestyle. Tennyson has guides for Atlanta, Decatur, Alpharetta, Smyrna, Marietta, College Park, Fayetteville and Riverdale, and he will give you the honest read on any corridor you are considering, including feeder patterns and real drive times.

An Associate Broker holds Georgia's highest real estate license level, which means more education, more experience and more accountability. With 20-plus years in Metro Atlanta, Tennyson has seen every market cycle and knows how to protect your interests in the details other agents miss.