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Buying a home

Data from November 2026

Buying a home in Georgia

A typical home in Georgia is worth $303,300 (Average 2020–2024). The FHA limit for one unit is $541,287–$718,750 depending on the county. Here is the minimum down payment each loan type asks at that price, every county’s limit, and the state’s assistance programs.

Minimum down payment Limits by county
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Typical home
$303,300
median value, Average 2020–2024
9% less than the U.S.
FHA limit
$541,287–$718,750
one unit, by county
In 34 of the 159 counties, the limit is above the national floor ($541,287).
Conforming limit
$832,750
one unit, 2026 data
Above this amount, the loan is a “jumbo” loan.
Minimum FHA down payment
$10,616
3.5% of a $303,300 home
VA and USDA ask for no down payment if you qualify.

Source: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates Average 2020–2024 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates Source: FHA mortgage limits (HUD) Data from 2026 data FHA mortgage limits (HUD) Source: Conforming loan limits (FHFA) Data from 2026 data Conforming loan limits (FHFA)

Down payment

How much each loan asks up front

For a $303,300 home, the typical value in Georgia. The minimum down payment is each program’s rule. The monthly figure is an example of principal and interest over 30 years at the 7.18% average rate (November 5, 2026): no taxes, insurance or mortgage insurance.

Your price, rate and down payment will differ: run the calculator with your numbers. Closing costs are extra.

Minimum down payment and monthly payment for a $303,300 home in Georgia

  1. FHA Program rule

    Minimum down3.5%

    In dollars$10,616

    Per month$1,983

    With a credit score of 580 or more. Carries mortgage insurance (MIP) up front and every month.

    HUD Handbook 4000.1 (Update 18), II.A.2.a.iv — Minimum Required Investment · In effect since September 14, 2016

  2. Conventional Program rule

    Minimum down3%

    In dollars$9,099

    Per month$1,993

    3% is the lowest standard option. With less than 20% down you pay private mortgage insurance (PMI) until you have more equity.

    Fannie Mae Selling Guide B5-6-01 — HomeReady Mortgage Loan and Borrower Eligibility · In effect since January 1, 2024

  3. VA Program rule

    Minimum down0%

    In dollars$0

    Per month$2,055

    For veterans, service members and some spouses. No down payment as long as the price is not above the appraisal; charges a one-time funding fee.

    VA: Purchase loan — benefits · In effect since January 1, 2020

  4. USDA Program rule

    Minimum down0%

    In dollars$0

    Per month$2,055

    Only homes in eligible rural areas and households within USDA’s income limit. Finances the full price.

    7 CFR §3555.103 — Maximum loan amount (Guaranteed Rural Housing Program) · In effect since December 9, 2013

  5. ITIN or other Example, not a rule

    Minimum down15%

    In dollars$45,495

    Per month$1,746

    ITIN loans follow no federal rule: each lender sets its own down payment and rate, and usually asks for more. 15% is an example.

Loan limits

FHA and conforming limit in every county

FHA sets the limit by area: 34 of the 159 counties in Georgia are high-cost and sit above the national floor ($541,287). The conforming limit is the most Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will buy; above it, the loan is a “jumbo”.

One unit. For 2- to 4-unit homes, each county page has the full table. Source: FHA mortgage limits (HUD) Data from 2026 data FHA mortgage limits (HUD)

Down payment help

Georgia programs for buyers

2 verified programs that put money toward the down payment or closing costs, or give a tax credit. With the source wording and the date we checked it.

Some help is a grant you never repay; other help is a second loan that is forgiven over the years or repaid when you sell. Each program’s tag says which kind it is.

See all programs

  • Georgia Dream Homeownership Program

    Verified November 5, 2026

    Georgia state program for first-time buyers: a mortgage with down payment assistance of up to 5% of the price or $10,000, as a 0% second mortgage with no monthly payments

    • Deferred
    See details

  • ATL HomeNOW

    Only in: Atlanta, Fulton County, DeKalb County

    Verified November 5, 2026

    Invest Atlanta help of up to $20,000 for the down payment, closing costs or a lower rate when you buy within the City of Atlanta, alongside a 30-year mortgage; forgiven if you live in the home 10 years

    • Forgivable
    See details

What the state publishes

Georgia rules that change the math

Exemptions that lower property tax and taxes paid when the deed is recorded, summarized from the official page each one cites.

Property tax in Georgia

Exemptions and caps

  • Standard state homestead exemption

    If you live in the home as your primary residence, the state takes $2,000 off the assessed value (40 percent of value in Georgia) before county and school taxes are figured. Many counties offer larger local exemptions; ask your county tax commissioner.

    O.C.G.A. §48-5-44 · Georgia Department of Revenue · Verified October 23, 2026

  • $4,000 exemption for people 65 and older with low income

    If you are 65 or older, you may claim a $4,000 exemption from all county taxes on your home if your income and your spouse's did not exceed $10,000 in the prior year. Retirement, pension and disability income is left out of that count, up to the most federal Social Security can pay a person and spouse. If you stop qualifying, you must tell the county tax commissioner.

    O.C.G.A. §48-5-47 · Georgia Department of Revenue · Verified October 31, 2026

  • Floating inflation-proof exemption for people 62 and older

    If you are 62 or older, you may get a county tax exemption that covers natural increases in your home's value. It helps if the appraised value went up by more than $10,000. Income for you, your spouse and anyone else living in the home cannot exceed $30,000. It does not change municipal or school taxes, and it replaces any other county homestead exemption.

    O.C.G.A. §48-5-47.1 · Georgia Department of Revenue · Verified October 31, 2026

  • Exemption for disabled veterans and their surviving spouse

    A qualifying disabled veteran who is a citizen and resident of Georgia, and who owns and lives in the home, gets an exemption from all property taxes (state, county, municipal and school). The amount for 2025 is $121,812; value above that stays taxable. The exemption extends to the unremarried surviving spouse or minor children while they keep living in the home.

    Georgia Department of Revenue · Verified October 31, 2026

When the sale is recorded

  • State real estate transfer tax

    When the deed is recorded the tax is $1 on the first $1,000 of the price and 10 cents on each additional $100 (or fraction). The law makes the seller liable, though contracts often agree the buyer will pay.

    O.C.G.A. §48-6-1 · Georgia Department of Revenue · Verified October 23, 2026

Your next steps

Where to go next in Georgia

What you can do today, free and without giving personal information. Go in order: your numbers first, then the help.

  1. Run the numbers with your figures

    The Georgia calculator already has the typical value, the average rate and the state’s property tax.

  2. Check whether you qualify for help

    Each program says what it gives, who qualifies and when we checked it.

  3. Talk to a counselor for free

    42 HUD-approved agencies help you prepare to buy; 12 say they serve in Spanish.

  4. Follow the steps to buy a home

    From the budget to the keys, in order.

Frequently asked questions

How much down payment do I need for a typical home in Georgia?

For a $303,300 home (typical value, Average 2020–2024), the FHA minimum (3.5%) is $10,616 and the conventional minimum (3%) is $9,099. VA and USDA ask no down payment if you qualify. State programs can cover part of it.

Are there high-cost counties in Georgia?

Yes. In 2026 data, 34 of the 159 counties in Georgia have an FHA limit above the national floor ($541,287); the highest is Forsyth County ($718,750).

What is the conforming loan limit in Georgia?

In 2026 data, the conforming limit for one unit is $832,750 in every county in Georgia: the most Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will buy. Above it, the loan is a “jumbo” and each lender sets its own terms.

What would the monthly payment be on a typical home in Georgia?

With $303,300, the FHA minimum down payment ($10,616) and the 7.18% average rate (November 5, 2026), principal and interest over 30 years comes to about $1,983 a month. Tax, insurance and mortgage insurance are missing: the calculator adds them.

What down payment help is there in Georgia?

We have verified 2 state programs in Georgia that put money toward the down payment or closing costs, or give a tax credit. Each shows the source wording, who qualifies and the date we checked it.