For detailed planning when buying a home or property, work through the checklist below. Write down your answers and share them with your agent and lender; it turns a vague wish into a focused search.
1. Area selection
Pick the cities and counties you want to live in — for example Decatur, Tucker, Alpharetta or anywhere in DeKalb, Fulton, Cobb or Gwinnett County.
2. Housing information
| Question | Options to consider |
|---|---|
| Price range | Less than $50,000; $50,000 to $100,000; $100,000 to $150,000; $150,000 to $250,000; $250,000 to $350,000; $350,000 to $500,000; $500,000 to $1,000,000; over $1,000,000 |
| Type of home | Single family, town house, condominium, other |
| Size of home | 1,000 to 2,000 sq. ft.; 2,000 to 3,000 sq. ft.; 3,000 to 3,500 sq. ft.; over 3,500 sq. ft. |
| Bedrooms | Two, three, four or five bedrooms |
| Bathrooms | Two, three or four bathrooms |
| Desired school nearby | Elementary, middle school, high school |
| Age of house | Under 5 years, under 10 years, older than 10 years |
| When to purchase | Immediately, within 2 months, within 6 months, within 1 year, undecided |
| Need to sell your present home? | Yes / No — if yes, see what your home is worth |
| Prequalified by a lender? | Yes / No |
| More information on financing? | Yes / No |
3. Contact preferences
Decide how and when you want to be reached (daytime or evening, phone or e-mail), and whether you are already working with another REALTOR®. Ask for a personalized MLS list of homes in your range, and note any extra comments or specifics you would like to add.
Next: read our tips for Atlanta home buyers.