Is This 90-Day Home Buyer Plan Right for You?
You want to buy a home in Atlanta, but you're not sure if you're ready. Maybe your credit isn't perfect, your savings are thin, or you're simply not sure where to start. The good news: most people who think they're not ready to buy are actually closer than they think. This 90-day plan breaks down exactly what Metro Atlanta lenders look for — and gives you a clear roadmap to get there.
The 3 Things Lenders Care About Most
When you apply for a mortgage in Georgia, lenders are really focused on three things: your work history, your credit score, and your down payment situation. That's it. Once you understand these three pillars — and know where you stand on each — the path to homeownership becomes a lot less intimidating.
Qualification #1: Two-Year Work History
Lenders want to see roughly 24 months of employment, but it doesn't have to be at the same company. Changing jobs is fine, especially if you stayed in the same field or moved up in income. Even gaps happen — a few weeks between jobs is normal, and longer gaps (medical leave, school, family reasons) can often be explained to a loan officer's satisfaction.
If you're self-employed, lenders will typically want to see two years of tax returns showing your business income. The key is demonstrating that your income is stable and reliable — not that it's been flawless. Documents to start gathering: your last two pay stubs, W-2s from the past two years, and tax returns if you're self-employed or do freelance work.
Qualification #2: Credit Score — 580+ to Get Started, 620+ for More Options
You don't need perfect credit to buy a home. A score of 580 or above can qualify you for certain low-down-payment loan options. At 620+, you unlock more doors — including most down payment assistance programs in Georgia and better interest rate options.
Here's your 90-day credit action plan:
- Pull your reports from all three bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com. It's free and won't hurt your score.
- Dispute errors. Wrong balances, accounts you don't recognize, payments marked late that you actually made on time — dispute them. It can move your score faster than almost anything else.
- Pay down credit card balances to below 30% of each card's limit. If your limit is $1,000, aim to owe $300 or less.
- Set up autopay on every bill. One missed payment can drop your score fast. Avoiding new late payments is the easiest win you can get.
If your score is in the 540–579 range right now, focused effort over 60–90 days can make a real difference. If you're already at 580+, you're in the game — push toward 620 and even more options open up.
Qualification #3: Down Payment — You Don't Need 20%
One of the biggest myths in real estate is that you need 20% down to buy a home. Many buyers put down 3% to 5%, and some use down payment assistance programs that cover the entire down payment with very little out of pocket.
Here's what 3–5% down looks like on a $250,000 home in Metro Atlanta:
- 3% down: $7,500 down + $5,000–$7,500 in closing costs = roughly $12,500–$15,000 total
- 5% down: $12,500 down + $5,000–$7,500 in closing costs = roughly $17,500–$20,000 total
Georgia's down payment assistance programs — like the Georgia Dream program — can cover part or all of your down payment. Right now, we're working with buyers who are coming to closing with as little as $2,740 total, with their down payment and most closing costs covered. These programs typically require a 620+ credit score and income within certain limits, but they're available to far more people than most buyers realize.
Real-Life Examples: How Atlanta Buyers Got Home Ready in 90 Days
Here are some scenarios that reflect the buyers we work with regularly:
The medical assistant with a 605 credit score: She had $2,000 saved and thought homeownership was years away. After disputing an old error on her credit report, her score jumped to 625. She qualified for a down payment assistance program that covered her entire down payment — and was under contract within 90 days.
The dual-income couple with a 590 score: With combined income of $68,000 and $4,500 saved, they set up autopay on all their bills and paid down one credit card from 80% utilization to 25%. Their score went from 590 to 635 in 90 days, which unlocked DPA and a competitive FHA rate. They closed on a $230,000 home.
The IT professional who didn't know he was ready: He had a 640 credit score and steady income but only $1,500 saved — and had been told he needed 20% down. Once he understood his actual options, he saved an additional $300/month for three months and combined that with a first-time buyer program. He closed on a $200,000 home in under four months.
Your Next Step: Get a Free Soft-Pull Credit Check
The fastest way to find out where you stand is a soft-pull credit check with our lending partner. It does not affect your credit score — it's a soft pull, not a hard inquiry. It takes just a few minutes, and it tells us exactly which plan (30, 60, or 90 days) fits your situation best.
After we see your results, we'll walk you through exactly what's helping or hurting you and give you a specific action plan — not generic advice, but a roadmap built around your actual numbers. Many of the people we talk to are surprised to find out they're much closer than they thought.
Call or text The Corbin Team at (678) 783-8937 or visit tct.homes to get started. We serve buyers across all of Metro Atlanta — from Buckhead and Midtown to McDonough, Stockbridge, Roswell, Kennesaw, and everywhere in between.
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