New member in Georgia/ATL
Member since 2025 · 4 posts · 13 votes
New member in Georgia/ATL
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Jonathan LeeBusiness Member
Lender · FL · Member since 2025 · 86 posts · 30 votesHi Jonas,
That's a great plan starting with a house hack using an FHA loan, as it's a proven way to get into real estate with a lower down payment and build momentum. As you're evaluating areas, I'd focus on locations with strong rental demand and reasonable property taxes and insurance, since those can impact cash flow more than the purchase price alone. If possible, consider looking at 2–4 unit properties so you can live in one unit while renting the others, which can help accelerate your ability to qualify for the next property. To scale to property number two in a couple of years, it's important to maintain good credit, build some reserves, and keep track of your rental income performance from the start. In Georgia, many investors keep an eye on markets like Columbus, parts of the Atlanta suburbs, and Savannah where purchase prices can still make sense relative to rents, though each submarket can vary significantly.
Feel free to reach out to connect futher.
Helm Mortgage Corp.5125 Reviews
10 Replies
- Real Estate Agent · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2020 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes5mo
@Jonas Agerskov, I give first-time buyers and house hackers the same advice all the time when they're getting started: before driving all over metro Atlanta spinning your wheels trying to identify every pocket that might have upside, first get pre-approved with a lender so you have a clear understanding of your budget. Everyone on these forums is going to throw out different areas that are "up and coming," but none of that really matters until you know your purchasing power. If someone says "Marietta is a great market" or "Decatur is really hot," that doesn't mean much to you unless it aligns with your budget and investment strategy. Both of those are large markets with good and not-so-good areas (I've lived in both). You can be in one pocket of Marietta or Decatur that feels solid with strong schools, lower crime, and stable tenants, and then be five to ten minutes down the road in a completely different environment. It's very block-by-block in certain parts, so blanket statements about those markets don't really mean much without getting more granular and knowing your budget.
All said, before diving headfirst into different ATL markets, I'd recommend reading "The House Hacking Strategy" by Craig Curelop and getting pre-approved with a lender who's familiar with primary home buyers. The good news is we're in a very different market than the COVID-era, and buyers have much more negotiating power right now, so there's no need to rush into anything. Also, since you mentioned wanting to scale, make sure you're underwriting the deal as both a house hack and a future rental once you move out (whether that's LTR, MTR, STR, or rent-by-the-room).
Once you have a defined budget, pick two or three markets you actually see yourself living in and investing in, and stick to those. Buyers who are all over the map, trying to nitpick every deal in every pocket, are usually the ones who never end up pulling the trigger. Once you've got those respective markets dialed in, it's much easier to narrow down where deals actually make sense. Happy to help there or connect you with a lender if you haven't already. - 5moJonathan LeeBusiness MemberLender · FL · Member since 2025 · 86 posts · 30 votes
Hi Jonas,
That's a great plan starting with a house hack using an FHA loan, as it's a proven way to get into real estate with a lower down payment and build momentum. As you're evaluating areas, I'd focus on locations with strong rental demand and reasonable property taxes and insurance, since those can impact cash flow more than the purchase price alone. If possible, consider looking at 2–4 unit properties so you can live in one unit while renting the others, which can help accelerate your ability to qualify for the next property. To scale to property number two in a couple of years, it's important to maintain good credit, build some reserves, and keep track of your rental income performance from the start. In Georgia, many investors keep an eye on markets like Columbus, parts of the Atlanta suburbs, and Savannah where purchase prices can still make sense relative to rents, though each submarket can vary significantly.
Feel free to reach out to connect futher.
Helm Mortgage Corp.5125 Reviews- Member since 2025 · 4 posts · 13 votes5mo
Quote from @Jonathan Lee:
Hi Jonas,
That's a great plan starting with a house hack using an FHA loan, as it's a proven way to get into real estate with a lower down payment and build momentum. As you're evaluating areas, I'd focus on locations with strong rental demand and reasonable property taxes and insurance, since those can impact cash flow more than the purchase price alone. If possible, consider looking at 2–4 unit properties so you can live in one unit while renting the others, which can help accelerate your ability to qualify for the next property. To scale to property number two in a couple of years, it's important to maintain good credit, build some reserves, and keep track of your rental income performance from the start. In Georgia, many investors keep an eye on markets like Columbus, parts of the Atlanta suburbs, and Savannah where purchase prices can still make sense relative to rents, though each submarket can vary significantly.
Feel free to reach out to connect futher.
Hey Jonathan,
Thank you for sharing your knowledge!
So because im on an long term visa, I can't easily move around. I have to stick to a drivable distance for my work.
So i would have to start in/around ATL but I would for sure look into it other cities further away down the line.
/Jonas - 5moJonathan LeeBusiness MemberLender · FL · Member since 2025 · 86 posts · 30 votes
Starting in or around the Atlanta area can still offer plenty of opportunities, and as you gain experience and build your network, expanding into other markets later on becomes much easier. Many investors begin locally to learn the process and then diversify once they feel more comfortable.
If you ever want to run numbers on a deal or talk through financing options, I’m always happy to help.
Helm Mortgage Corp.5125 Reviews
- Property Manager · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2020 · 75 posts · 38 votes5mo
Jonas,
As a Featured Agent of biggerpockets I sell house hacks constantly, even live in one and own 5.
I have had most success in Marietta/Smyrna, the reason is due to fee simple town homes that allow for an easy three story build giving you the opportunity to have not 2, but three separate units.
It has never failed me, and you can get in for under 300k. provides extremely convenient access to 75/285 for quick commutes around all of Georgia, puts you close to Kennesaw state university, multiple hospitals, many corporate offices on the Circle 75 Pkwy/Galleria, as well as entertainment between Marietta Square, Smyrna Market Village, Dobbins Airforce Base and Battery/Truist park for braves games. This allows you to do either longterm, short term, or furnished rentals, as well as be in a spot with decades of proven appreciation and another decade of planned and paid for growth.
I own, sell, manage, and have managed over 700 properties in the area, after testing other parts of GA, I can confirm this is the easiest, most repeatable area.
- 5moJimmy LieuBusiness MemberReal Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2019 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votesHey Jonas, welcome to BP and solid plan—house hacking with an FHA is honestly one of the best ways to get started. Since you’re targeting GA, I’d focus less on finding a “perfect area” and more on picking a solid submarket where the numbers can actually work. For house hacking, the main thing is making sure the property can offset a good chunk of your payment, so duplexes, triplexes, or even a larger single family with extra rooms tend to work really well since FHA allows low down payment and you can use rental income to help qualify. In Georgia, a lot of investors look just outside Atlanta in areas where prices are still reasonable but there’s steady rental demand from working professionals and families. The key is avoiding the super competitive high-end neighborhoods and instead focusing on stable, blue-collar areas or places near job hubs where rents are strong relative to purchase price. I’d also recommend not overanalyzing the “perfect” location too much for your first deal—run conservative numbers, make sure you’re comfortable living there, and prioritize a setup that reduces your housing cost significantly even if it doesn’t fully cover it. Once you hit the one-year mark, you can move out, rent it fully, and repeat the process to start scaling. Most people get stuck searching for the ideal first property, but the real win is just getting in, learning the process, and adjusting from there.
Quote from @Jonas Agerskov:
Hi Everyone!
I'm Jonas, born and raised in Denmark and moved to GA in 2024! I'm new in the property investment game.
I'm going with the thought about buying my house hack investment and hopefully be able to scale to house 2 the following years after first purchased due to FHA loan - any recommendations on which aera I should look in to and which i should keep a eye on?
I would love to hear from anyone there are/have invested in properties in GA!
Looking forward to hearing from you guys!
BG - Jonas
Jimmy Lieu, Red 1 Realty4.9120 Reviews - 5moArman AhmedPro MemberReal Estate Agent · Columbus Cleveland Dayton, OH · Member since 2024 · 2k+ posts · 957 votes
Quote from @Jonas Agerskov:
Hi Everyone!
I'm Jonas, born and raised in Denmark and moved to GA in 2024! I'm new in the property investment game.
I'm going with the thought about buying my house hack investment and hopefully be able to scale to house 2 the following years after first purchased due to FHA loan - any recommendations on which aera I should look in to and which i should keep a eye on?
I would love to hear from anyone there are/have invested in properties in GA!
Looking forward to hearing from you guys!
BG - Jonas
A solid plan, starting with a house hack, that’s one of the best ways to get in. In Atlanta, just be careful because prices have run up, and it can be harder to find deals where the rent really offsets your mortgage. Focus on areas with strong rental demand and room to grow, not just appreciation hype. That said, a lot of newer investors end up also looking at Midwest markets where the same FHA strategy can actually cash flow from day one, even out-of-state, which makes it easier to scale into deals two and three. At the end of the day, the area matters less than buying something with real numbers and a bit of margin built in. - 5moBill HamptonBusiness MemberAccredited Investment Fiduciary, AIF®, Financial Planner, Tax Strategist, Real Estate Investor · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2012 · 2k+ posts · 979 votes
Welcome to Bigger Pockets. Check out the Georgia Real Estate Investors Association, gareia dot com, for local networking and education.
Good luck investing.
Hampton Tax and Financial Services LLC4.7106 Reviews - Real Estate Broker · Atlanta · Member since 2024 · 1k+ posts · 607 votes5mo
Jonas, welcome to the BP community. House hacking is a great strategy, especially when starting out. I would recommend focusing on areas with strong rental demand and growth like Kennesaw, Smyrna, Marietta and Woodstock. Pay attention to job growth, school districts and rental comps. If you need help with financing or finding the right property, feel free to reach out. I am a real estate broker and mortgage broker here in Atlanta.
- 5moStephen QuesinberryBusiness MemberReal Estate Agent · Cumming, GA · Member since 2016 · 226 posts · 157 votes
Welcome! Lots of great advice already shared. Stick with it and build consistent habits and it will compound. Best of luck!
Cornerstone Real Estate Partners
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