First-Time Buyer Hub

Your first home is closer than you think

First-time buyers are my favorite clients to work with. You bring the questions, I bring 20+ years of answers: how much you can afford, which down payment programs can help, and exactly what happens at every step.

Book a first-time buyer call Read the checklist article

Affordability

How much house can you afford in Atlanta?

The Metro Atlanta median home sale price was around $371,000 in January 2026 (Georgia MLS). But the median is not your number. Your number depends on your down payment, interest rate, taxes, insurance, and monthly budget.

A good rule of thumb: your total monthly housing payment, including taxes and insurance, should fit comfortably inside your budget alongside your other goals. The precise answer comes from a lender's pre-approval, and I can connect you with lenders who work well with first-time buyers.

What your payment includes

  • Principal and interest
  • Property taxes
  • Homeowners insurance
  • HOA dues, if any
A tree-lined street of bungalows and brick homes in Atlanta

Median Atlanta MSA sale price

$371K

Georgia MLS, January 2026

Down payment assistance

Programs that can put thousands toward your down payment

You do not need 20% down, and you may not need to save for years. Georgia offers several programs that contribute real money toward your purchase. Qualifying depends on income, credit, and purchase price, so we check your situation against every option.

Georgia Dream

Up to $10,000 (or $12,500 with the PEN option)

Georgia Department of Community Affairs

A statewide program for first-time buyers with a 30-year fixed mortgage and a no-interest, no-monthly-payment second loan for the down payment. The PEN option boosts assistance for educators, nurses, first responders, and military buyers.

Official program page

Invest Atlanta

Up to $20,000

City of Atlanta

Assistance for down payment, closing costs, permanent rate buy-down, or all three, paired with a 30-year fixed first mortgage. Requires a $1,500 buyer contribution and has income and asset limits.

Official program page

Atlanta Housing DPA

Up to $20,000

City of Atlanta

Down payment assistance for eligible first-time buyers who have not owned a home in the past three years, with a purchase price cap of $375,000.

Official program page

Housing for Heroes

Specialized DPA

Atlanta Fire Rescue Foundation + Atlanta Housing

Down payment assistance designed specifically for sworn Atlanta firefighters and EMTs. A meaningful program for the people who keep the city safe.

Official program page

Program details change and eligibility varies. I help you confirm current terms with the program office and your lender before you build a plan around them.

Your checklist

Ten steps to your first set of keys

  1. 1 Check your credit score and correct any errors
  2. 2 Save for down payment, closing costs, and reserves
  3. 3 Get pre-approved with a lender
  4. 4 Explore down payment assistance programs
  5. 5 Define your neighborhood wish list
  6. 6 Tour homes and compare honestly
  7. 7 Make an offer with contingencies
  8. 8 Complete the home inspection
  9. 9 Finalize your loan and appraisal
  10. 10 Close and get your keys
A craftsman home in metro Atlanta with a porch and stone accents

Let's find out what your first home looks like

Bring your questions, your credit score questions, and your budget worries. I will give you a clear picture of what is possible, including which assistance programs fit.

Read the DPA article Browse the FAQ

Start your first-time buyer plan

Tell me about your timeline and I will map your next steps.

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