Wednesday, July 15, 2026 / by Lme Realty Group
Wondering whether Powder Springs is one of Cobb County’s best places to buy a home? If you want more house for your money, that question matters. Quick answer: Powder Springs continues to stand out for value, particularly for buyers who prioritize square footage, larger yards, outdoor recreation, and a quieter suburban setting. The bigger question is what kind of value matters most to you.
Powder Springs is one of Cobb County’s strongest values for buyers who want more living space at a lower median purchase price than Marietta or Smyrna. However, property taxes, commute times, school assignments, neighborhood amenities, and total monthly costs should all be considered before deciding whether it offers the best overall value for your needs.
Is Powder Springs More Affordable than Marietta or Smyrna?
When comparing purchase prices, Powder Springs remains an appealing option within Cobb County. According to Redfin’s May 2026 Powder Springs housing market data, . ...
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for buyers, buying tips, agent value, local market
Wednesday, July 8, 2026 / by Lme Realty Group
Student loans are back in the spotlight. And whether you've been following the headlines closely or just catching bits and pieces here and there, there's a good chance they've been on your mind lately.
And if you’re questioning whether you have to hit pause on your plans to buy a home, here's the thing you have to remember:
Having student loans doesn't automatically mean buying a home has to wait.
The Biggest Myth About Student Loans and Buying a Home
One of the most common misconceptions among first-time buyers is that they have to pay off their student loans before they can qualify for a mortgage. But in most cases, that's just not true.
As an article from Redfin explains, student loans usually get evaluated the same way other debts do, like credit cards or car payments:
“Yes, you can get a mortgage with student loan debt. Lenders primarily assess your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, which compares your monthly debt payments, including student loans, to your g ...
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for buyers, first time home buyers, buying tips
Wednesday, July 1, 2026 / by Lme Realty Group
Open up a home search and you'll see them. Listings that have been on the market for two months. Three. Some longer.
Most buyers scroll right past them, assuming something’s wrong with the house. But that instinct could be costing you, since the longer a home sits, the more motivated the seller usually gets.
Where Some Buyers Are Finding Better Deals
If affordability has been your #1 hurdle to buying, here’s a surprisingly simple strategy that could help you finally get your foot in the door. Start with the homes that have been sitting the longest. That’s often where the best deals are.
Here’s why. Data from Realtor.com shows there’s a connection between longer time on the market and lower sales prices. Basically, the longer a house sits, the more likely it is that the seller will reduce the price (see graph below):
The blue line tracks how long homes stay on the market, while the green line tracks the share of homes getting a price reduction. As on ...
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for buyers, first time home buyers, buying tips, affordability
Wednesday, June 10, 2026 / by Lme Realty Group
Data shows inflation is moving in the wrong direction. But before the headlines send anyone into a panic, here's what's actually going on, why it matters for the housing market, and what it means if you're thinking about buying or selling.
Inflation Went Up – Here’s What That Actually Means
The government tracks inflation in a variety of ways. One is something called PCE – the Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index. It measures how much more (or less) people are paying for goods and services compared to a year ago. And just based on your own expenses, you can probably guess which way that’s trending.
That’s the one everyone is talking about right now. Check out the yellow line to see how that’s spiked since February (see graph below). A big driver of this jump is the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has pushed gas and energy prices significantly higher.
Now, you may have noticed there’s a second line. The blue line shows . ...
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for buyers, mortgage rates, affordability, economy
Wednesday, June 3, 2026 / by Lme Realty Group
If the housing market feels confusing right now, you’re not alone.
Mortgage rates have risen. Home sales haven't picked up like expected. And many buyers and sellers are wondering when things are going to feel easier or be more affordable.
The truth is: a lot changed over the first half of this year.
Back at the end of 2025, economists were forecasting a much stronger housing market for 2026. They expected mortgage rates to come down, affordability to improve more dramatically, and home sales to rebound.
But lingering inflation, economic uncertainty, and growing geopolitical tensions overseas pushed mortgage rates higher than expected. And because rates stayed elevated for longer, many buyers continued to hold off.
That’s why experts recently revised their housing forecasts for the rest of the year (see graph below):
So, what does this actually mean for you? Let’s break it down.
Mortgage Rates May Remain Elevated
While just about everyone wants mortgage rate ...
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for buyers, for sellers, pricing, mortgage rates, housing forecast, economy
