Need to Sell Your House in Atlanta? 9 Steps to Sold
May 7, 2025
Selling your Atlanta home is a pivotal life moment. Whether relocating for career advancement, managing an inherited property, or seeking space that better fits your family's evolving needs, Atlanta’s robust market gives you options so you can open your next chapter.
Fortunately, “the Atlanta market is still a hot real estate market, especially within the metro Atlanta area,” says Lisa Combs, Director of Sales at Mark Spain Real Estate in Atlanta. That means Atlanta sellers are in a unique position to leverage elevated property values.
With a dedicated agent by your side, you can find a path that supports your unique circumstances, whether you’re looking to sell quickly or take a little more time to source the most competitive offer.
First, decide how you’d like to sell. Today’s market offers two primary options: listing your property as a traditional listing or selling it for all cash to an institutional buyer.
You can’t beat a cash offer on speed and simplicity. That’s why they’re popular in Atlanta: Over a third of metro area homes are bought via cash sales. Choosing to sell off-market avoids delays caused by buyer financing, and you can skip the hassle of showings and stagings.
While cash offers may typically be lower than full market value, the convenience and certainty make it worth it for many sellers.
With our Guaranteed Offer Program, you won’t need to trade higher proceeds for speed and convenience. We’ll help you get multiple competitive offers from our pre-vetted network of institutional buyers, so you’ll have options. Plus, we’ll be ready to list right away if you decide that you’d rather go the traditional listing route.
If you have a more flexible timeline, you have the potential to secure a higher offer with a traditional listing on the open market. This approach requires more preparation, but it also opens the door to a larger pool of potential buyers and can result in higher offers.
Once you decide to list, we’ll help you get your Atlanta house buyer-ready while we generate buzz for your listing. Our agents use a combination of local market data, strong presentation, professional photography, and strategic marketing to get your listing noticed.
To make the most out of your home sale, you need to know who your potential buyers are and what they’re looking for. Many people are moving to Atlanta from areas like the Northeast and California, likely because of the strong job market.
“We've got a lot of larger corporations in Atlanta,” Combs says. “Plus, the cost of living is good for a large metropolitan city.”
Industries that are booming in Atlanta include film, manufacturing, and technology.
Buyers who are moving from cities may be drawn to the outdoors.
“Outdoor living is a huge thing here,” Combs explains.
So, spaces like patios and lawns are highly sought after. Certain features, however, appeal to everyone, like updated bathrooms and kitchens. Even without these features, homes in desirable neighborhoods like Summerhill and Westview are likely to sell quickly.
If you have some flexibility, it’s worth timing your move strategically. In Atlanta, the most common time to sell is in the spring. Combs notes:
“It’s great for sellers who want to transition to a new home for a new school year, or transition to a new home during the summer months.”
Since buyers also often want to settle in before the school year starts, July is the most popular month to move in Georgia. That means listing in the spring and getting the house ready for spring and summer showings.
Strategic pricing can make all the difference between a property that sits on the market versus one that sells in a weekend. Your Mark Spain Real Estate agent will work with you to determine a price point based on market insights and your individual goals.
In some Atlanta neighborhoods, like Bankhead or Hunter Hills, home prices hover between $200K and $300K, while in neighborhoods like Buckhead or Virginia-Highland, prices are closer to $700K–$900K.
“We also use the ‘coming soon’ feature to get some exposure and generate interest before your home officially hits the market,” Combs adds.
Once you’ve decided how and when you want to sell, it’s time to get the property ready for showing. Since outdoor life is a big draw in Atlanta, be sure to spruce up any outdoor spaces. Cosmetic updates to the house’s exterior can help make a strong first impression.
Just make sure to stay in line with any relevant HOA rules.
“We're a brokerage that's not big on doing a lot of repairs for sellers to invest money,” Combs says.
Instead, we focus on low-cost, high-impact improvements that will draw buyers in without breaking the bank.
While we don’t recommend significant cosmetic changes, you do need to pay attention to common inspection issues.
“Sellers should always be prepared for anything major,” Combs explains. “Things like mold, cracks in the foundation, older plumbing, or electrical work that isn't up to code.”
If your house is older, like many in historic neighborhoods like Grant Park or the Old Fourth Ward, you may be more likely to face inspection issues. Fortunately, historic homes are desirable, so you’ll also likely be able to secure a competitive offer.
Unlike some states, Georgia does not require sellers to fill out a disclosure form. The responsibility is primarily on the buyer to look at the property carefully and hire inspectors to check for issues.
Still, Combs recommends filling out a disclosure form:
“Disclose anything that they know that could be hidden from the naked eye. We're very big on educating our sellers on the more disclosure, the better.”
Being upfront with buyers helps prevent issues and delays during the closing process.
Even the most enticing listing needs effective marketing. We recommend a combination approach, involving social media, direct outreach, and brand recognition.
“Here in Atlanta, we have the opportunity to list homes in three MLS's. So we get a wide coverage in the MLS system,” Combs says.
Mark Spain Real Estate also has a buyer team ready to make a match.
“Agents are able to market our homes to our buyer agents before we even hit the market,” Combs explains.
With professional photos, pre-listing exposure, and local visibility, your home will stand out to serious buyers.
The market in Atlanta can shift between being a seller’s market and a buyer’s market, which is when buyers tend to have more negotiating power. With a skilled agent on your team, you’ll be ready to negotiate for a competitive offer either way.
In Georgia:
Your agent will walk you through every detail and ensure no dollar is unaccounted for.
No matter how you decide to sell your home, you’ll benefit from local expertise and a careful strategy designed just for you. Mark Spain Real Estate’s client-focused approach means that we see the people behind the sale, and we’ll work with you to tailor our strategy to your goals.
Contact a Mark Spain Real Estate agent in Atlanta today to learn how we can get your home sold on your terms.
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