In Georgia, a seller can back out of a signed contract — but only under specific conditions. Once the purchase agreement is fully bound, walking away without a valid contractual reason exposes a seller to serious consequences, including a court order forcing the sale to close. Learn what the GAR contract actually allows, what it doesn't, and what your options are if your seller tries to back out.

The Georgia homestead exemption reduces property taxes on your primary residence — but it doesn't file itself after closing. New Atlanta homeowners must apply by April 1 at their county assessor's or tax commissioner's office. Most Metro Atlanta counties offer a $10,000 reduction in assessed value, saving homeowners $700–$1,200+ annually. The exemption does not transfer automatically when you move; you must file a new application at your new county address.

Selling a house in Georgia costs sellers between 8% and 10% of the sale price — not the 2% or 3% most people expect. On a $450,000 home, that's $36,000 to $45,000 coming out of your proceeds before your mortgage payoff is even touched. This post breaks down every cost Georgia sellers pay at closing: agent commissions (including what changed after the 2024 NAR settlement), the required closing attorney fee, Georgia's transfer tax, prorated property taxes, title insurance, and seller concessions. Plus a real net sheet example so you can see exactly what you'd walk away with. I put together personalized net sheets for every seller I work with — here's how the math actually works.

For three years, the mortgage rate ran every move-or-stay decision in Metro Atlanta. In 2026, that flipped. The lock-in effect is easing, the share of mortgages above 6 percent has hit an all-time high, and metro inventory has climbed to roughly 4 months of supply. With the rate penalty shrinking, the real engines of moving are back in charge: growing families, marriages, divorces, retirements, job changes, and aging parents to care for. Nearly a decade helping Atlanta buyers and sellers has taught me the market headline is rarely why anyone actually moves. People move because their life moved first. Here's what you need to know.

Atlanta ranked fourth nationally for first-time buyers in 2026, with around 45% of listings within reach for qualified buyers, per Zillow. But national rankings don't tell you which specific intown neighborhoods still have appreciation runway versus which ones have already run. Nearly a decade helping Atlanta buyers means I've watched the BeltLine expansion, MARTA investment, and Murphy Crossing development pipeline move in real time. Entry prices in these neighborhoods range from $200,000 in Sylvan Hills to $550,000 in East Atlanta Village, with a mix of renovation potential and confirmed infrastructure catalysts. This is Atlanta intown real estate. Here's what you need to know.

Thinking about selling your home in Atlanta this spring? The Spring 2025 real estate market is competitive, and sellers need more than a sign in the yard to stand out. Atlanta real estate expert Kristen Johnson shares timely, local insights to help you price smart, prep strategically, and attract today’s motivated buyers.