Buying a Home in Evans

Evans, Ga., is a friendly town offering many amenities. Locals enjoy small businesses, restaurants, and outdoor recreation. Evans also features excellent neighborhoods near those amenities. When buying a home in Evans, here’s what to know about the destination before starting your search.

There are many reasons to start your home search in Evans. For one, the great neighborhoods in the area ensure buyers of all types find a property they love. The town is next to outdoor recreation spots, while the music scene encompasses all genres and several venues.

There are plenty of standout communities to explore when looking for the perfect Evans neighborhood. Areas like Snead provide suburban living with larger single-family homes and townhomes. Those searching for another suburban neighborhood can explore Evans East, which features newer construction single-family homes popular with families and educated individuals. Meanwhile, Evans North and Martinez West are other desirable sections of the town where buyers can begin their search.

Those buying a home in Evans will love the easy access to outdoor recreation spots like Lakeside Park. Residents enjoy access to six lighted tennis courts, a half-mile walking track, five multipurpose fields, and a large playground for families. Water recreation in the summer is the best way to cool off. Serene18 provides kayaks and canoes to explore the water trails winding around Clarks Hill Lake, the Savannah River, and the Augusta Canal.

The music scene in Evans pops with venues like the 800-square-foot stage at the Jabez Sandford Hardin Performing Arts Center. Jabez regularly shows performances like local dance recitals, symphonies, and nationally recognized acts.

The Columbia County Performing Arts Center is another well-loved spot for live music and performances. This large facility hosts musicals, Broadway shows, concerts, plays, comedies, and entertainment for the whole family. Whatever genre or art style you love, one of these two venues probably hosts it.

When you’re inclined to move to the town, prepare for buying a home in Evans by researching your mortgage options, then looking up the median house prices in the area. Alongside your home purchase, plan for closing costs like title insurance, property taxes, and a home appraisal.

Many mortgage options are available to buyers, each better suited to another’s needs. A conventional home loan is the most common and best for buyers with a higher credit score and searching for a smaller down payment. These are good options for buyers with a stable income who don’t mind the stricter qualifications. 

VA loans are a type of government-backed loan available for those who have or are currently serving in the armed forces. Buyers who qualify benefit from low interest rates and no down payment. Another government-backed loan is an FHA loan, which helps buyers with lower credit scores finance a home. FHA loans involve competitive rates and relatively low down payment requirements.

Work with an expert local agent to get the latest on homes for sale in Evans. By most metrics, Evans remains a robust real estate market. At a macro level, median home prices have increased over the past year. However, like most desired markets, Evans is subject to price fluctuations depending on the location, condition, and size of various homes. Your agent will likely recommend you get a mortgage pre-approval toward the beginning of your home search. 

The last (but not least) variable to consider when buying a home in Evans is the closing costs. Generally, a buyer’s closing costs amount to two to five percent of the home’s purchase price. Closing costs typically include a home appraisal fee to finalize a mortgage, an application fee to process the loan, and attorney fees to sign off on the transaction when it closes. 

As a buyer in Evans, you also incur taxes specific to Georgia. Keep apprised of the intangibles tax ($1.50 per $500 of your loan amount) and a tax on loans associated with the Georgia Residential Mortgage Act.

Other closing costs may include home inspection fees, a title search and transfer, and your down payment. Once you own a home, be mindful of property taxes. In Evans, property taxes average 0.77% of the property’s assessed fair market value. So if your house costs $335,000 (the latest median home price in Evans), expect to pay about $2,500 in property taxes.

Buyers interested in saving more on their home purchases have a few options. Taking the time to shop for the best mortgage rate can have serious long-term impacts. Meanwhile, a bigger down payment gives buyers more home equity and less to pay off throughout the payment period.

When financing a property with a mortgage, shop for multiple mortgage types offered by several lenders in the area. As of early February 2023, the average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage in Georgia was 6.37%, while a 15-year fixed mortgage is 5.62%. 

Another way to qualify for the best rate is to improve your credit score. Borrowers with a higher credit score are seen as less risky and are more likely to receive a lower rate.

For buyers who can, a larger down payment decreases your loan overall. This creates smaller monthly payments and avoids extra fees related to compounding interest or private mortgage insurance. A smaller loan may also qualify you for a lower rate, as the amount is less risky.

Buyers searching in Evans will love the great neighborhoods, music scene, and outdoor recreation the town offers its residents. When you’re ready to start your home search, hire experienced agent Molly Brown Whitmer as your professional guide. She brings up-to-the-minute expertise and years of successful experience serving buyers like you. Reach out at your convenience and find out what sets Molly apart and how she can help realize your goals.