Skip to content
Purchase Mortgage Loan
Get Pre-Approved

How to buy a home in Georgia

Quick answer

To buy a home in Georgia, most buyers use an FHA, conventional, VA or USDA loan, often combined with Georgia Department of Community Affairs (Georgia Dream) down payment assistance. With a typical home around $272,900, a 3.5% FHA down payment is about $9,552 and the estimated monthly payment is roughly $2,191 at a 7.18% rate.

By Purchase Mortgage Loan Editorial Team Checked against official sources per our editorial standardsLast updated

Home prices in Georgia sit near the middle of the national range, so the loan program you choose — and whether you add down payment assistance — can swing your upfront cash by thousands. With a large, diverse market, prices vary widely between metro areas and smaller towns, so compare city-level options below. A household earning around $85,000 a year could comfortably afford a typical Georgia home under the 31% housing guideline.

What does a home cost in Georgia?

ItemGeorgia estimate
Typical home value$272,900
3% down (conventional)$8,187
3.5% down (FHA)$9,552
20% down$54,580
Est. monthly payment (FHA, 3.5% down)$2,191
Household income to afford (31%)$85,000

Rate assumption: 7.18% (Freddie Mac PMMS 30-year fixed average, week of November 5, 2026). Change it in the payment calculator.

What first-time home buyer programs does Georgia offer?

Georgia Department of Community Affairs (Georgia Dream) is Georgia's housing finance agency. Its programs are offered through approved lenders and usually require homebuyer education plus income and purchase-price limits.

  • Georgia Dream Homeownership Program: A fixed-rate first mortgage plus deferred, zero-interest down payment assistance for eligible buyers.
  • Georgia Dream PEN / CHOICE: Higher assistance amounts for public safety, educators, healthcare workers, military and households with a disabled member.

Check current terms at Georgia Department of Community Affairs (Georgia Dream). Many Georgia cities and counties also run their own down payment assistance.

What are the Georgia loan limits for 2026?

Georgia has 159 counties; 0 are high-cost areas. Here are the official 2026 one-unit limits for its most populous counties (FHFA and HUD):

CountyConformingFHA
Fulton County$832,750$718,750
Gwinnett County$832,750$718,750
Cobb County$832,750$718,750
DeKalb County$832,750$718,750
Clayton County$832,750$718,750
Chatham County$832,750$541,287
Cherokee County$832,750$718,750
Forsyth County$832,750$718,750
Henry County$832,750$718,750
Hall County$832,750$541,287
Richmond County$832,750$541,287
Muscogee County$832,750$541,287

See all Georgia county loan limits → VA loans have no limit for borrowers with full entitlement.

How much house can I afford in Georgia?

Use Georgia's own property tax rate and insurance average: $60k, $80k, $100k, $150k salaries, or see FHA requirements in Georgia.

How do property taxes affect buying in Georgia?

Homeowners in Georgia pay a median of $2,214 a year in property taxes — an effective rate of about 0.81% of the median home value, close to the national average (Census ACS). Actual rates vary by county and municipality.

Which loan types are popular in Georgia?

  • Conventional Loan — Not government-backed; as little as 3% down for first-time buyers, PMI removable at 20% equity.
  • FHA Loan — Government-insured; 3.5% down with a 580 credit score and flexible debt-to-income rules.
  • VA Loan — For eligible veterans, service members and surviving spouses: 0% down and no monthly mortgage insurance.
  • USDA Loan — 0% down for moderate-income buyers in eligible rural and suburban areas.
  • Jumbo Loan — For loan amounts above the conforming limit; usually 10–20% down and 700+ credit.
  • First-Time Home Buyer Loans — Low-down-payment loans plus state assistance programs designed for first-time buyers.

Buying a home in Georgia cities

Browse every city page →

Georgia home buying FAQs

On a typical Georgia home of about $272,900, a 3.5% FHA down payment is roughly $9,552 and a 3% conventional down payment about $8,187, plus closing costs of 2%–5% of the loan.

Yes. Georgia Department of Community Affairs (Georgia Dream) offers programs including Georgia Dream Homeownership Program, Georgia Dream PEN / CHOICE. Income, price and credit limits apply.

The 2026 baseline conforming limit for a one-unit home is $832,750 in most Georgia counties; designated high-cost counties can be higher.

FHA limits are set by county. For 2026 they start at $541,287 for one-unit homes in lower-cost areas and rise in higher-cost counties.

Sources

Data last updated October 23, 2026.

Get matched with Georgia purchase lenders

Answer a few quick questions and get matched with purchase mortgage lenders in your area. Free, and it won't affect your credit score.

Get My Matches

Figures on this page are estimates for educational purposes only and are not a loan offer or commitment to lend. Rates, loan limits, fees and assistance programs change frequently and vary by lender, location and borrower profile. Confirm current terms with a licensed loan officer.