Home Values in Atlanta: A Seller’s Guide

How to get a home value estimate

Whether you’re hoping for guidance in setting an accurate list price or want to calculate your expected net proceeds, we’ll walk you through several tools to estimate your home’s value, ranging from DIY to professional.

Use an online home value estimator

One of the quickest DIY ways to get a ballpark estimate of your home’s value is by using an online home value estimator, such as HomeLight’s. These estimators collect data from sources like county tax assessor records, MLS listings, and recent home sales to generate a preliminary figure. HomeLight’s home value estimator stands out by asking seven tailored questions about your property, giving you a more personalized valuation. With results in under two minutes, you’ll have an instant starting point for your home-selling journey.

Request a comparative market analysis

While using an online estimator is a great place to start, requesting a comparative market analysis (CMA) from a local real estate agent can provide a more accurate depiction of your Atlanta home’s worth. A CMA takes similar homes recently sold in your area, called “comps,” and evaluates factors like the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, square footage, location, and any upgrades you’ve made, providing a more thorough estimate than an online tool alone.

This in-depth report often includes visual data like graphs, charts, and images to provide a comprehensive look into your home’s potential value. Some agents do charge a small fee for this service, but many will provide a CMA for free, especially if you are planning to list with them.

Get a pre-listing appraisal

Although a comparative market analysis (CMA) will provide an accurate depiction of your home’s worth, sometimes getting a supplemental pre-listing appraisal may be necessary for the most precise evaluation. This applies especially to properties with unique characteristics that can’t be easily compared to others, such as homes in rural areas with few nearby comps, or those sitting on a large plot of land. A professional appraisal will help ensure that you don’t under- or over-price your property when listing.

It’s worth noting that a pre-listing appraisal typically ranges from $450 to $550 in price, but fees can go even higher for more complex properties, such as ultra-luxury homes or farms. Even if you decide to get an appraisal, keep in mind that if your buyer has traditional financing, their lender will still require another appraisal to determine how much loan they are willing to provide.

How to increase the value of your Atlanta home

If you’re looking to maximize the value of your Atlanta home before selling, there are a few strategic steps that can help to improve your sale price significantly. We’ll walk you through each below.

Curb appeal: First impressions matter! According to a recent study by the National Association of Realtors, 92% of realtors recommend that sellers revamp curb appeal before listing on the market. Low-budget, easy-to-achieve projects such as repainting the front door, keeping the lawn mowed, adding new mulch, and power washing the exterior can make a large impact on the opinions of potential buyers.

Strategic updates: When making minor home improvements, target high-impact upgrades to get the best return on your investment. For example, painting the walls a neutral color, refinishing the floors, or replacing hardware in kitchens and bathrooms like faucets and light fixtures are all valuable investments. According to Zonda’s 2024 Cost vs. Value Report, replacing the garage door is also a great choice, with a 194% return on investment.

Necessary fixes: Ensure all major systems are in fine working condition before putting your house on the market. It’s recommended to contact your real estate agent before making any expensive or time-consuming repairs, but in general, addressing any issues with the roof, foundation, electrical, HVAC, or plumbing can help you avoid complications during the inspection process.

Decluttering and depersonalizing: In order to make your space more welcoming and inviting for potential buyers, declutter and depersonalize your home to make it a blank slate for viewing. This includes removing any excess furniture from crowding living areas, as well as taking down family photos, personal belongings, religious symbols, or memorabilia. One recent HomeLight survey found that decluttering can boost your home’s final sales price by up to $8,000.

Deep cleaning: A thorough deep cleaning is another impactful upgrade to focus on — in fact, a HomeLight survey of over 1,000 top agents revealed that deep cleaning can increase your home’s value by $3,700. Be sure to steam-clean carpets, wash windows, and scrub any dirty grout between tiles. Also, don’t forget about vents, ceiling fans, and baseboards that can harbor pesky dust. After all, buyers are more forgiving of small imperfections when a home is fresh and clean.

Home staging: Successfully staging your home to highlight its best features can result not only in a quicker sale, but a higher sales price. HomeLight’s most recent Agent Insights Report shows that professionally staged homes can sell for up to 13% more than unstaged ones. Of the agents surveyed, 31% even consider staging to be “essential for a sale,” while another 67% agree that staging helps to sell homes in the current U.S. market.

Unlock Your Equity and Buy Before You Sell

Through our Buy Before You Sell program, HomeLight can help you unlock a portion of your equity upfront to put toward your next home. You can then make a strong offer on your next home with no home sale contingency.

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How to buy before you sell in Atlanta

If you are currently eyeing your dream home in Atlanta but need to sell your property first, HomeLight’s Buy Before You Sell (BBYS) program might be the perfect solution.

Here’s how it works: BBYS allows you to unlock a portion of your existing home’s equity to make a competitive, non-contingent offer on a new property. If your home qualifies, you can unlock your equity in as little as 24 hours without any advance fees. This allows you to buy your new home first, get settled, and sell your old home while it’s vacant — saving you from juggling multiple moves or living in a staged home.

HomeLight charges a flat fee of 2.4% of your home’s final selling price. If your home doesn’t sell within 90 days of closing on your new property, HomeLight will purchase it directly and continue working to get it sold. After subtracting any costs incurred, any remaining profits from the sale will be passed on to you.

For more information about HomeLight’s Buy Before You Sell program, check out the video below:

How to find a top agent in Atlanta

One of the most important components in maximizing your home’s sales price is to find a real estate agent with a proven history of success in your neighborhood. HomeLight’s agent matching service connects you with top agents based solely on their experience, local expertise, and past sales, providing an easy, free, and unbiased tool to discover professionals in your area.

A high sale-to-list ratio is a strong indicator of a skilled agent. This metric, presented as a percentage, compares the final sale price of a home to its original listing price. Agents with a high ratio consistently sell homes for close to (or above) their asking price, proving their ability to accurately price homes and negotiate well.

To ensure you’re choosing the best agent, it’s recommended that you interview at least three before settling. Besides assessing the agent’s sale-to-list ratio, here are some key questions to ask:

By using HomeLight’s agent match tool and posing the right targeted questions, you’ll be positioned to find a top-performing agent who can help you maximize your home sale.

Get a free preliminary home estimate today

Whether you’re thinking of selling your home, refinancing, or applying for a home equity loan, having an accurate idea of your Atlanta home’s worth can help you navigate financial decisions. With HomeLight’s free home value estimator, you can obtain a simple and easy ballpark value in under two minutes, providing a solid launching point for your next steps.

HomeLight can also connect you with top Atlanta agents specializing in your neighborhood to sell your home for its best possible price. Or, we can help you unlock your equity to buy a new home before selling your current one. No matter your end goal, staying informed on housing prices in Atlanta and utilizing the tools outlined above can empower you to make the most of your home’s potential.

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