Eric Berry - Living in Georgia

06/20/2026

Marietta and Hiram could not be more different price-wise, and if you're cross-shopping these two markets, you need to see the actual numbers before you start touring homes.

Marietta's median home sale price is running between $440,000 and $480,000 depending on the month. Some neighborhoods, like Downtown Marietta, are pushing past $900,000. Hiram, sitting over in Paulding County, has recent median sales in the $280,000 to $310,000 range. Run the math and that's roughly a $150,000 to $170,000 difference for what can be comparable square footage. That is not a small gap. That's an entirely different conversation with your lender.

So why the difference? Marietta gives you historic charm, established neighborhoods, and proximity to everything Cobb County has to offer ... restaurants, the Square, easy access into Atlanta. Hiram gives you new construction options and noticeably more home for noticeably less money.

Neither city is wrong. They're just built for different priorities. I've sold homes in both and watched buyers thrive in both situations.

Follow along and I'll keep breaking down these markets so you can make an informed decision with real numbers, not guesses. Got a specific budget you're working with ... drop it in the comments and I'll tell you what that actually looks like in each area.

06/19/2026

Happy Juneteenth - Celebrate this day of freedom!

06/18/2026

If you're weighing Kennesaw in Cobb County against Dallas in Paulding County, the price difference between these two markets is something you need to see in actual numbers before you start making decisions.

Kennesaw's median home price sits around $407,000 to $415,000 right now. Dallas comes in significantly lower ... recent sales have been closer to $290,000, with the county-wide Paulding median around $350,000. That's often a $60,000 to $100,000 gap for comparable square footage. That's not a small difference. That's a different down payment, a different monthly payment, and a different financial picture entirely.

Here's what you get on each side. Kennesaw gives you shorter commute times into Atlanta and more established retail and dining options. If your job is anywhere near I-75 or inside the perimeter, the commute math works in Kennesaw's favor. Dallas gives you more new construction options at noticeably lower entry prices. If budget is the priority and you can absorb the extra drive time, Dallas makes a real case for itself.

Neither one is the wrong answer. I sell homes in both counties and I've watched buyers thrive in both markets. It comes down to your budget and what your day-to-day life needs to look like.

Follow along and I'll keep breaking down real numbers across both counties so you know exactly where your money goes further. Questions about either market ... drop them in the comments.

06/17/2026

If school districts factor into where you're planning to buy ... and for a lot of families they absolutely do ... here's what you need to know about Cobb County before you start shopping.

Cobb County School District is consistently rated among the top districts in Georgia based on state report card metrics. That's the headline most people already know.

Here's the part that trips buyers up. Within the district, individual school ratings vary by zone. Two homes a few streets apart can land in completely different school zones. And the specific zone your address falls into is something you need to verify before you go under contract ... not after you've already fallen in love with the house.

The good news is this is easy to check. You can go directly to the Cobb County School District website and look up any address to find your exact assigned elementary, middle, and high school. Don't assume based on the city name or the zip code. Verify the actual address every single time.

Follow along and I'll keep sharing the details that actually matter when you're deciding where to buy in this area. Got a specific address you want help checking ... drop it in the comments.

06/17/2026

Scented candles won't mask to***co odors from buyers' sensitive noses. Instead, try these effective methods to rid smoke smells from your home.

The lingering odor of cigarette smoke makes any house a tough sell. It will take longer to find a willing buyer and will likely bring a lower price. Unless, of course, the seller is up for the challenge of a floor-to-ceiling scrubbing. Here’s a step-by-step guide. Floors to ceilings. Unlike pet od...

06/17/2026

Out here in Powder Springs today with a listing that's coming soon ... and I wanted to give you a quick sneak peek before it officially hits the market.

This home is 1,624 square feet, four bedrooms, two and a half baths, sitting on just under an acre. It's also in the Kemp, Lovinggood, and Hillgrove High School district, so you're getting strong schools along with the space.

A couple of things I really like about this one. The basement is fully finished with an open floor plan ... it's the kind of space that actually gets used, not just storage. Out front you've got a big, welcoming front porch. And out back, my personal favorite part, a pool with plenty of room left over to entertain.

Full listing with all the details goes up later this week. But if this one catches your eye now, reach out and I'd love to show it to you before anyone else gets the chance.

06/16/2026

Kennesaw and Acworth sit right next to each other on the map ... but they are not the same place, and those differences are worth understanding before you decide where to buy.

Here's how I break it down for buyers.

Kennesaw gives you more retail options, more restaurants, proximity to Kennesaw State University, and strong access to I-75 if you're commuting toward Atlanta. The tradeoff is price. Median home prices run higher and lot sizes tend to be smaller than what you'll find in Acworth.

Acworth gives you more land for your money, a lower price per square foot overall, and something Kennesaw can't offer ... direct access to Lake Allatoona. If outdoor life and water access matter to your lifestyle, that's a real differentiator. The honest tradeoff is commute time. You're looking at roughly 10 to 15 more minutes into Atlanta depending on where you're headed.

Here's the thing that surprises a lot of people ... both cities are in Cobb County and share the same school district. So schools aren't the deciding factor between them.

It really comes down to three things. Your budget. How much lot size matters to you. And how much your daily commute matters to you.

Follow along and I'll keep doing these city-by-city breakdowns so you can zero in on exactly where in Cobb County you want to be. Questions about either city ... drop them in the comments.

06/15/2026

Considering buying a a house with a friend? Here's what non-married couples need to consider.

It’s easier to buy a home if someone else is sharing the cost. Here's what you need to know if you’re buying a house with a friend.

06/15/2026

When I walk through a home with a buyer, I'm not just looking at the finishes. Most people spend their walkthrough looking at countertops and paint colors. That's not what I'm focused on.

I'm looking at the slope of the yard and where water drains ... because drainage issues don't show up until it rains hard and by then you own the problem. I'm checking the age of the roof and the HVAC ... because those are the repairs that will hit you fast and cost you real money. And I'm looking at how the doors hang ... because doors that don't sit right can tell you something about what's happening with the foundation underneath.

I've bought my own homes. Made my own mistakes. Gone through the process twice and learned things I wish someone had pointed out before I signed. So now I walk through every home like I'm the one buying it, not just showing it.

And if I see something that concerns me, I say it. Even if that means we walk away. That's the job.

Follow along and I'll keep showing you what to actually look for so you never buy a home that surprises you after closing.

06/14/2026

Thinking about moving to Georgia? Before you do, there are a few things you need to hear from someone who actually lives here.

The summers are no joke. Hot and humid in a way that genuinely catches people off guard, especially if you're coming from up north or out west. It's not just warm ... it's the kind of heat that changes how you plan your day from June through September.

Traffic around Atlanta is real too. This isn't a minor inconvenience ... it's a factor that should absolutely influence where you choose to live. I've seen people move to the wrong side of the metro and spend two hours a day in the car regretting it. Where you live relative to where you work matters more here than almost anywhere else I know of.

Now here's the other side of it. Cobb and Paulding County specifically give you something that's getting harder to find in most major metros ... a genuine quality of life at a price point that still makes sense. Good schools, real neighborhoods, people who actually know their neighbors. It still feels like home out here.

I've lived in Georgia my entire life and in this area since 1993. Follow along and I'll keep giving you the real picture on what it's actually like to live here. Got questions about a specific part of the move ... drop them in the comments.