Atlanta Real Estate

You probably started the home buying process in one of two ways: you saw a home you were interested in buying or you consulted a lender to figure out how much money you could borrow before you found a home (sometimes called pre-qualifying). The next step is to sign an agreement of sale with the seller, followed by applying for a loan to purchase your new home. The final step is called ´´settlement´´ or ´´closing,´´ where the legal title to the home is transferred to you.

At each of these steps you often have the opportunity to negotiate the terms, conditions and costs to your advantage. These pages will highlight such opportunities. You will also need to shop carefully to get the best value for your money. There is no standard home buying process used in all localities. Your actual experience may vary from those described here. These pages take you through the general steps to buying a home, to eliminate, as much as possible, the mysteries of the settlement process.

Buying and Financing A Home
The real estate broker: frequently, the first person you consult about buying a home. The most common practice is for the seller to hire a real estate broker to find someone who will be willing to buy their home on terms and conditions that are acceptable to the seller. Therefore, the real estate broker you are dealing with may also represent the seller. However, you can hire your own real estate broker, known as a buyer’s real estate broker, to represent your interests. Real estate agents are allowed to represent both buyer and seller in one transaction.

Even if the real estate agent represents the seller, state licensing laws require that the real estate agent treat you fairly.

Sometimes, the real estate agent will offer to help you obtain a mortgage loan, they may also suggest you deal with a particular lender, attorney or settlement/closing agent.