Bee Nguyen

Alma,

If you signed a buyer brokerage agreement with an agent, pay attention to Section 5 (five), which addresses the party responsible for the commission if the seller is unwilling to pay. This can happen with For Sale By Owners or a short sale or a real estate auction where the owner and/or the bank have the final say on the agent commission. If you have, in fact, signed the agreement you may be liable for paying 3% for the buyer's agent. If you have not signed the agreement, you can proceed without having representation and therefore, you will not have to pay for the agent's commission. Typically, though, both short sales and reo properties offer a commission for the buyer's agent so you can still have representation and not owe a commission. If you are working with an agent, they can keep you abreast on which properties would require you to pay a commission, assuming you signed an agreement. That being said, most buyers will pass up a For Sale By Owner or a short sale that is unwilling to pay their agent a commission. There are plenty of properties to choose from so you if you want to buy a short sale or reo AND still have a buyer's agent, I am sure you can have both. - Yesterday, 11:33

There are some great options out there for you, including Glenwood Green, which is just across the street from Glenwood Park (you have a gym, several restaurants/bars, and a bocci ball court) and it is also close to East Atlanta Village (it is a longer walk, but definitely walkable). You might also want to try Kirkwood Station, which is newer and right in the heart of Kirkwood Village (it has retail/restaurant underneath). There is also Village at East Atlanta, which is just on the other side of Moreland, but walkable to EA Village. There are also a few townhouse options close to Decatur Square, which is really striving to become not only a pedestrian friendly, but bike friendly town. It would allow you to walk to fun restaurants, shops, and much more. - Mon Jul 14 2008, 09:07

It depends on the development...in this market, most builders are willing to negotiate, but I have encountered several builders who are sticking to their price. If so, try to get as many upgrades as you can--ask for hardwood floors or better quality appliances or extra storage units. Or just move onto the next new development. In the past year, I have seen builders offer buyer incentives, closing costs, prepayment of the mortgages, cars, flat screen tvs, etc...and a lot of these developments were non-negotiable when they first started pre-selling. Chances are you will be able to find a builder who is willing to negotiate than not! - Wed Jul 9 2008, 09:23

Try unincorporated dekalb county as well... - Mon Jul 7 2008, 09:33

I say house all the way! While there are great opportunties to pick up a condo at a great deal, you will most likely have to wait years (I say at the minimum 5) before the condo market picks up and turns around. Most likely, you will be more restricted in terms of selling if you say, start a family or need more space or relocate whereas with a single family house, if you buy at the right price, your home will appreciate yearly if the Atlanta market remains the same (or gets even better).

If your job is located in Midtown, with a 500K budget and under, you can get into many great neighborhoods with proximity to your job. If you are worried economically, you can still get a great home for around 300K and still be close to your job. Some great neighborhoods; Candler Park, Inman Park, Va Highlands, Midtown, Howell Station, Poncey Highlands, Grant Park. I believe condo living is about lifestyle and budget; if you can afford to buy single family, that is the best way to go. - Wed Jun 25 2008, 09:24