Set a monthly number
Decide what you're comfortable paying each month, including taxes, insurance and HOA dues, before anyone tells you what you can borrow.
Know more. Stress less.
Guides, answers and checklists for every stage of a move, from the first thought of buying or selling to the first night in a new home. Bookmark this page.
The buyer guide.
Seven moves that make buying smoother, cheaper and a lot less stressful.
Get pre-approved
Compare a few lenders, then shop with a pre-approval in hand so your offer is taken seriously.
Rank your wish list
Split it into must haves, nice to haves and deal breakers. It keeps tours focused and decisions fast.
Test the commute
Drive the route at rush hour before you fall for a house. In Metro Atlanta, ten miles can mean very different mornings.
Offer with a strategy
Price is only one lever. Closing dates, contingencies and earnest money can make an offer stronger without paying more.
Use your due diligence
Inspect, ask questions and read the HOA documents while you still have room to negotiate or walk away.
Stay steady until closing
No new credit cards, car loans or job changes before closing without talking to your lender first.
The seller guide.
Six things that put more money in your pocket and fewer surprises in your path.
Know your net
Start with what you'll walk away with after the payoff, commission and closing costs, not just the sale price.
Price from sold homes
Comparable sales tell you what buyers actually paid. Listing prices only tell you what sellers hoped for.
Fix the small things
Touch up paint, replace burned out bulbs, repair the drip. Small fixes signal a well kept home.
Declutter before photos
Clear counters, edit shelves and open the blinds. Buyers need to picture their life, not yours.
Make showings easy
The easier your home is to see, the more people see it. Plan for pets, parking and quick exits.
Read every offer fully
Financing, contingencies, closing date and concessions can matter as much as the price.
Frequently asked questions.
Straight answers to the questions MaShay hears most. Have another? Text 678.754.9668.
What's the difference between pre-qualified and pre-approved?
Pre-qualification is a quick estimate based on what you tell a lender. Pre-approval means the lender has reviewed your income, credit and assets. Sellers give much more weight to a pre-approval.
Can I buy a home with less than 20% down?
Often, yes. Several loan programs allow smaller down payments for buyers who qualify, and some allow none. A lender can tell you which options fit your situation.
What is the due diligence period?
It's the window after your offer is accepted when you can inspect the home, review documents and decide whether to move forward, under the terms of your contract. MaShay will walk you through the exact terms in yours.
What is earnest money?
A good faith deposit that shows the seller you're serious. It's held in escrow and usually credited toward your purchase at closing. When it can be refunded depends on your contract.
Who handles closing in Georgia?
Georgia closings are handled by a closing attorney, who makes sure the documents, funds and title transfer are in order before you get the keys.
What's the difference between an inspection and an appraisal?
An inspection checks the home's condition for you. An appraisal estimates its value for the lender. You'll usually have both when you finance a purchase.
How do I know what to offer?
MaShay pulls recent comparable sales, looks at how long the home has been on the market and how much interest it has, and helps you set a price and terms that fit your strategy.
How is a home's value decided?
Mostly by recent sales of similar homes nearby, adjusted for size, condition, upgrades and location. That's what a comparative market analysis, or CMA, lays out.
How do I choose a neighborhood?
Start with commute, budget, home style and the amenities you'll use. Visit at different times of day. MaShay can share facts, routes and public resources so you can decide what fits you.
Do you help with new construction?
Yes. Builder sales staff work for the builder. Having your own agent means someone is reviewing the contract, upgrades and timeline with your interests in mind. Bring MaShay on your first visit.
The moving checklist.
Tick things off as you go. Your progress is saved on this device, so you can come back to it any time before moving day.
Your progress0%
Eight weeks out
Four weeks out
Two weeks out
Moving week
After you move
Mortgage basics, minus the jargon.
The words you'll hear from lenders, explained in plain English. Ready to run numbers? Try the payment calculator.
- Conventional loan
- A mortgage that isn't backed by a government agency. Down payments can be as low as 3% for some buyers.
- FHA loan
- Insured by the Federal Housing Administration, with more flexible credit guidelines and down payments as low as 3.5% for qualifying buyers.
- VA loan
- For eligible veterans, service members and some surviving spouses, often with no down payment.
- USDA loan
- For homes in eligible rural and suburban areas, for buyers within income limits, often with no down payment.
- PMI
- Private mortgage insurance, usually required on conventional loans with less than 20% down. It can typically be removed later.
- Escrow account
- An account your lender uses to collect property taxes and insurance with your monthly payment and pay them for you.
- Rate lock
- A lender's promise to hold your interest rate for a set time while your loan is finalized.
- Points
- Fees paid at closing to lower your interest rate. Worth it only if you keep the loan long enough.
- Loan Estimate
- A standard form showing your loan terms and estimated costs, provided shortly after you apply.
- Closing Disclosure
- The final version of your loan terms and costs, provided at least three business days before closing.
Metro Atlanta, county by county.
Moving here or moving across town? Here's a quick lay of the land in the counties MaShay works most, with the landmarks and roads locals use to describe them.
Cobb County
County seat: Marietta
Northwest of Atlanta, with established neighborhoods, historic town squares and quick access to the top side of the perimeter.
- CommunitiesMarietta, Smyrna, Kennesaw, Acworth, Powder Springs, Austell, Mableton
- LandmarksMarietta Square, Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, The Battery Atlanta and Truist Park, Six Flags Over Georgia
- Getting aroundI-75, I-285 and I-575
Douglas County
County seat: Douglasville
West of Atlanta along I-20, with room to spread out, a historic downtown in Douglasville and one of the area's favorite state parks.
- CommunitiesDouglasville, Lithia Springs, Winston and part of Villa Rica
- LandmarksSweetwater Creek State Park, historic downtown Douglasville, Arbor Place Mall
- Getting aroundI-20 into downtown Atlanta, plus GA 5 and GA 92
Fayette County
County seat: Fayetteville
South of the airport, known for Peachtree City's paths, lakes and planned villages, and for Trilith's growing film and creative community.
- CommunitiesFayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone, Brooks, Woolsey
- LandmarksPeachtree City's multi-use golf cart paths, Lake Peachtree, Trilith Studios
- Getting aroundGA 74, GA 54 and GA 85, a short drive to Hartsfield-Jackson
Henry County
County seat: McDonough
Southeast of Atlanta along I-75, with newer subdivisions, community amenities and an easy run to the south side of the metro.
- CommunitiesMcDonough, Stockbridge, Hampton, Locust Grove
- LandmarksAtlanta Motor Speedway, the historic McDonough square, Tanger Outlets in Locust Grove
- Getting aroundI-75 and I-675
Fair housing matters. MaShay won't steer anyone toward or away from a community. She'll share facts, commute routes and public resources so you can decide what fits you best.
Real Estate Real Talk.
Straight answers and local know-how from MaShay's blog.
- 01
Before you tour a single home: six things to settle first
Do these first and every showing gets easier, faster and a lot less stressful.
- 02
Cobb, Douglas or Fayette? How to choose your home base
A practical way to compare counties: commute, lifestyle, housing and a weekend test drive.
- 03
Selling your home: what happens in the first 30 days
From pricing and photos to offers and inspections, week by week.