Does anyone prefer South Atlanta ?

Question

I’ve found it’s a lot of bubbling communities in the south metro Atlanta area to invest in and the numbers suggest there’s even more room for growth. Talking to a realtor friend , he suggested the north Atlanta market is already too saturated and people should look into more outskirt areas besides Cobb and Gwinnett. Yet more investors I’ve met have been keen on those North Atlanta counties . Does anyone prefer South Atlanta anymore ?

Avery Moore · Answer

Your realtor friend is telling you the truth, for I work in the Gwinnett area for the high paying careers are further North of the city but I am a resident of the Dekalb area. There's a lot of development occurring South Fulton area, Camp Creek is a very great hub that includes restaurants, shopping centers, and direct connection to the airport. The Palmetto, Sandtown, Union City areas are kinda overlooked but still has a Southern draw that you don't find in the inner city. As the comment above stated you'll have to find your plans/strategy but I don't think it'll be a bad decision you may be ahead of the curve.

Jay Thomas · Answer

Your realtor friend and the investors you've met both make valid points about investing in different areas of Atlanta. In North Atlanta, like Cobb and Gwinnett, there's a history of strong job markets and good schools, leading to higher property values but also more competition. Meanwhile, South Metro Atlanta is seeing a surge in interest due to affordability and transportation access, though it may come with higher vacancy rates or require more research.Regardless of location, thorough research is crucial. Analyze local demographics, rental trends, crime rates, and future development plans .While South Atlanta is undergoing revitalization, there are still opportunities worth exploring, especially in specific submarkets with potential for long-term growth.

Account Closed · Answer

I have lived in Southwest Atlanta (Oakland City area) for the past 5 years, and I can tell you firsthand how the overall area is turning around and seeing much more interest today from both investors and homeowners. While most of the steady jobs are north of the city, as previous comments said, there are a few big HQs near the airport (Porsche, Delta, etc.) and several movie studios nearby. I'll echo what everyone else has said about doing your research. Chances are you'll be able to find an attractive deal on a purchase price, but depending on the neighborhood and your overall strategy and goal, you could have mixed results. I have seen a lot of flips in my neighborhood and the surrounding communities, but some are taking a while to sell as many are priced significantly higher than the median home values on blocks that just aren't there yet. In my opinion, LTR and MTR make the most sense in the area, but I'm more focused on buy and hold strategies myself.

Casey Devaux · Answer

I agree with the agents who have posted above. The higher paying jobs are going to be in North Atlanta. There seems to be a lot of rental competition already in areas like Marietta for example, so I can understand why they would mention these areas feeling saturated. In the southern part of Atlanta I would fully agree with Jay and Lateefah that it is important to do your research, but there are a lot of areas that could be great opportunities for STR or MTR. A lot of Delta Air Lines employees opt to live south of the city for easy access & less traffic to reach the airport.

Lateefah Mathews · Answer

Hi @Gregory Colton There are bubbling communities all over Atlanta both South, East and West.I concur with Jay Thomas regarding the job market in North Atlanta. However, the choice of location significantly depends on your investment strategy. If you're considering flips, South Atlanta might present a tighter profit margin due to its current market dynamics. Yet, if you're looking to buy and hold, especially STR or MTR, South Atlanta offers its advantages. Its proximity to key transportation hubs, the Airport, and Tyler Perry Studios, along with other amenities, makes it an attractive area for this investment strategy. If you're leaning towards STR or MTR, you can consider areas like East Point or College Park. These cities are not only close to the airport but also benefit from ongoing development projects and a growing demand for rental accommodations. If you haven't already, get clear on your investment strategy and niche. Once you have a firm grasp of your goals, you'll be better positioned to make informed decisions regarding the location of your investment properties.

Josh Bowser · Answer

Hey Gregory - we do a lot of business with the rent by the room model in South Atlanta (College Park, Riverdale, Jonesboro). I think townhomes in Riverdale are pretty appealing for the price you can get some of them at from a long term hold perspective. Certain neighborhoods in College Park are attractive for LTRs as well.There is still a ton of development going on in Cobb and Gwinnett counties. I live in Kennesaw and there are a few thousand housing units under construction going in within 10 minutes of my house - those are just the ones that I know of.They are not building any more entry level detached housing (think 1200-1400 sqft 3/2s brick ranches) anywhere in the Atlanta metro right now.

Hari Mann · Answer

I just happened to talk to a Realtor talking about a strategy in southern Atlanta like towards the airport that involved developing on raw land with tiny home-style units for affordability. Basically a Build-to-Rent if you are interested in the entitlement and development process. Could be very profitable with the right due diligence and management.