How to Buy Your Dream Home in the Georgia Mountains

Buying a home is a process that comes with many questions. If you’ve never bought a house in the mountains before, you’re sure to have even more questions about the process. Our team wants to make sure you have all the answers you need throughout the home buying process, which is why we’ve gathered and answered some of the most common questions about buying a home.
Finding the answers you need will help reduce home buying stress, making your house search more enjoyable every step of the way.
How long does it take to buy a house?
The full process depends on how long it takes to find the house of your dreams. Once you’ve found a property you’d like to place an offer on, you and the seller will agree on a closing date. This date typically ranges from 30-60 days from accepting the offer. Need to move in sooner or later? Remember that everything is negotiable with the seller — including the closing date!
What credit score do I need to buy a home?
This is one of the most popular questions people ask when they want to buy a home in Georgia. On average, a credit score around 620 will increase your likelihood of being approved for a home loan. Another point to remember: Lenders look at many different factors when considering your applications, such as your debt-to-income ratio and your employment history.
Do I need to hire a realtor when buying a home in Georgia?
It’s important to understand the role that a realtor plays when you set out to buy a home. Along with helping you find properties that fit your requirements, a realtor will guide you through the legal process, present important facts about buying a home, help you spot potential problems in a new home, and negotiate your deal with the seller. In most situations, the fee for the realtor doesn’t come out of the buyer’s pockets, making their services an affordable and valuable asset to the home buying process.

What is the water quality like in the Georgia Mountains?
One benefit to living in the mountains if the feeling of tranquility and solitude. Still, many homebuyers who have never lived in the Georgia Mountains before tend to have questions about the utilities and drinking water. While municipal water is usually supplied to residents of towns and cities, folks living in the mountains will likely rely on either small water supplies, private water supplies, or privately owned water. When looking at a home in the mountains, you’ll want to ask your realtor about the water supply to ensure that there are no surprises after making the purchase.
Is it safe to live in the mountains?
Along with drinking water concerns, many mountain homebuyers wonder what will happen in the event of a power outage in their area. While it’s unlikely that you’ll be disconnected from power most of the time, there are a few precautionary steps you can take to ensure that your home can run as smoothly as possible during an outage. We recommend equipping your new mountain home with extra flashlights, candles, and batteries and to make sure that there is extra water and a backup generator available. These will help keep your appliances running during an emergency and increase your likelihood of connecting to internet and phone lines.

How do I choose the right mountain neighborhood for me?
One of the best steps you can take when beginning to search for a home is to research your ideal neighborhood. Some buyers will simply hop online to find an attractive home without determining whether or not the neighborhood will be a good fit for them. In the Georgia Mountains, for example, popular towns include Blue Ridge, Ellijay, and Blairsville — all of which have unique neighborhoods and communities. Take some time to research the possibilities, and remember that your realtor is a fantastic resource to turn to when determining which neighborhood will be the best fit for you.
Have another question? Let us help!
These questions are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to buying a new home. Whether you wonder how much you need to save for a down payment, what mountain life is like, or how to begin the process of buying a home, our team is here to help you.
We’ve sold homes all over the Georgia Mountains and are happy to answer any questions you have so that you’re comfortable throughout the home buying process. Contact our team today with any additional questions and to begin the exciting process of finding your dream home!
Appalachian Realty LLC Blog








