Best time to buy in ➡️ Georgia
Buying a house in Atlanta can be stressful, but you can make it easier by starting the home-buying process at the right time.
The best time to buy a house in Atlanta depends on your priorities and situation. This article examines listing prices, housing inventory, and mortgage rate trends in Atlanta so that you can make an informed decision.
An experienced real estate agent can help you navigate the Georgia real estate market, achieve your home-buying goals, and leave the stress behind.
⚡Get expert support: Match with a top Atlanta real estate agent near you.
The best month for low listing prices in Atlanta
🔎 Key takeways
- 🏅 Best month for low listing price: January
- 🚫 Worst month for low listing price: July
- 💵 Median listing price: $392,678
- 📈 Listing prices are up 0.28% from last month[1]
If finding a house for a low listing price is your priority, the best time to buy a house in Atlanta is January.
In recent years, prices for homes in Atlanta have been the lowest in January. On average, homes are $7,943 less expensive than the median listing price of $392,678.
In January, buyers may find fewer homes on the market, which can cause sellers to list their homes for less. You’ll likely have fewer options to choose from, but you have the chance to score a great deal.
In July — the month with the highest listing prices — the listing prices were $7,222 more than the median listing price. Buyers may have better luck negotiating the listing price during this time, since housing inventory will likely be higher and the market is more competitive.
Keep in mind that price trends can vary neighborhood to neighborhood. If you want to find the best time to buy a house in Atlanta, we recommend connecting with a local realtor. They'll help you navigate the ins and outs of the Atlanta housing market, compare interest rates, and find a deal that works for you.
The best month for housing inventory in Atlanta
🔎 Key takeways
- 🏅 Best month for housing inventory: October
- 🚫 Worst month for housing inventory: January
- 🏠 Average housing inventory in Atlanta: 24,853
- 📈 Housing inventory is up 44.3% from last year[1]
If having a wide selection of houses to choose from is your priority, then the best time to buy a house in Atlanta is October.
You’ll likely find the highest number of listed homes in October and might have better luck negotiating the price of a property during this month when there are more houses on the market.
In Atlanta, you’ll find the fewest available listings in January. During this season, sellers might list their homes due to financial desperation or immediate need. You're more likely to find as-is listings and fixer-uppers during this time. That said, you could still find some great houses on the market for a low price.
When looking at housing inventory, you’ll also want to check how many days the listings have been on the market. Days on market (DOM) can indicate how competitive the market is and how much time you have to make an offer on a home.
In Atlanta, listings have a DOM average of 51 days. In January, listings are on the market the longest, for an average of 66 days. You’ll likely have a better chance of negotiating the listing price during this month.
In May, listings are on the market for the least amount of time — an average of 39 days — which indicates the market is more competitive and it could be harder to make a successful bid.
The best month for mortgage rates in Atlanta
🔎 Key takeways
- 🏅 Best month for mortgage rates: September
- 🚫 Worst month for mortgage rates: May
- 💵 Average mortgage rate: 6.83%
- 📈 Mortgage rates are up 2.4% from last month[2]
If scoring a low mortgage rate is your top goal, the best time to buy a house (and take out a loan) is September.
In the past year, mortgage rates have been lowest in September, with an average mortgage rate of 6.08% on $326,316 home (average home value in Atlanta).[3] When mortgage rates are low, buyers can usually expect more demand and higher listing prices.
Mortgage rates have been historically higher in May, with an average mortgage rate of 7.2% on $326,316 home. During this month, listing prices could take a dip since buyers are less motivated to take out a loan due to high interest rates.
Before you start touring houses, it’s helpful to have your mortgage pre-approval letter secured. This shows that you’re financially qualified to make an offer and sets you apart from buyers who don’t have one. Most Atlanta home sellers will require a pre-approval letter before showing you their home.
No matter when you decide to buy, remember to compare interest rates and pre-approval amounts from several lenders to make sure you're getting the absolute best rate and terms when you buy your house in Atlanta.
Where should you buy in Georgia? Start here.
- The 5 Most Affordable Places to Live in Georgia
- Top 5 Residential Real Estate Investment Markets in Georgia
How to find a great real estate agent in Atlanta
When you’re in the planning stage of buying a home, the best step you can take is to connect with a great local buyer’s agent.
You can start your search by looking up a brokerage or realty, but don't stop there. Take the time to research and interview multiple real estate agents, paying attention to their:
- Years of experience (the median is 8 years)
- Number of home buyers helped in the last year
- Expertise in your target neighborhood and price range
- Online reviews and complaints
- Licensing and certifications, such as an Accredited Buyer's Representative[4]
- Membership in local real estate boards, such as the Atlanta REALTORS® Association[5]
An experienced Atlanta real estate agent can help you find the best time to buy a house in Atlanta and make the most of your situation, even if it's a seller's market. Economic conditions can change quickly, and a knowledgeable realtor can give you up-to-the-minute information on where and when to buy based on your priorities.
Add your zip code below to instantly request hand-picked agent matches!
Finding a great local realtor is the first step in making your home buying dreams a reality. Our free service matches you with top agents from trusted brands like Keller Williams and RE/MAX.
Enter your zip code to request hand-picked agent matches in minutes. Compare your options until you find the perfect fit, or walk away with no obligation. Try Clever's free service today!
Why trust us
Data sources
Our Research Team uses real estate data from reputable sources, such as Zillow, Realtor.com, and FreddieMac, to determine the best and worst months to buy a house in Atlanta. We analyze monthly trends for listing prices, housing inventory, and mortgage rates and refresh that data on our pages as the primary sources update.
About Clever Real Estate
Clever Real Estate is a free agent-matching service that has helped more than 82,000 people buy and sell homes. We partner with over 3,800 top-performing agents nationwide at national brokers including Keller Williams, RE/MAX, Century 21, and more. We also help buyers save money with cash back after closing — no strings attached.
We’ve earned buyers’ trust with a rating of 5 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot and over 3,000 customer reviews in total.
Our team of industry-leading researchers is committed to making homeownership more accessible by educating buyers through guides like this one. We've spent thousands of hours analyzing publicly available data, surveying consumers, and interviewing industry experts. Our research has been featured in The New York Times, Business Insider, Inman, Housing Wire, and many more.
