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We're licensed in Georgia. That's on purpose.

Kinship operates in Georgia — not everywhere at once. That means we can actually track what's specific to this state, instead of giving you generic national advice.

Questions? We're here.

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Down payment assistance

Georgia offers down payment assistance — including the Georgia Dream Homeownership Program — but income limits and assistance amounts change, so we'll confirm what applies to you.

Worth asking about if you:

Haven't owned in 3 years (or buying in a targeted area)
Have income under your county's limit
Are open to a homebuyer education course
Have modest liquid savings

Public employee, educator, nurse, veteran, or have a qualifying disability? Ask — it can mean more assistance.

What's specific to buying in Georgia

Contract signed Due diligence period starts — commonly a week or two to walk away for any reason and get your earnest money back, as long as you cancel in writing before the deadline. It isn't required by law, but it's standard practice here.

Closing An attorney must handle it here by law, not just a title company. Expect a real estate transfer tax (~0.1% of the sale price, customarily paid by the seller) and an intangible recording tax on the loan (~0.3%, capped at $25,000) as standard closing costs.

By April 1 File your homestead exemption with the county — it lowers your property tax bill, but it isn't automatic. Most counties use April 1 as the deadline, though some set their own — confirm yours. Miss it and you typically wait until the following year. Also watch for HB 581 — Georgia's new floating homestead exemption caps annual property tax growth to inflation, but many of the state's largest counties (including Fulton, Cobb, and DeKalb) opted out through 2029. A 2026 law makes it mandatory everywhere starting 2027.

Local market context

For ongoing, plain-language reads on what's actually happening in Atlanta, Savannah, and statewide, see Kinship Brief — short, no-hype notes on inventory, rates, and assistance programs as they change.

See what applies to your specific area

Down payment assistance and local rules vary by county — let's check yours.

Talk it through with us Read Kinship Brief