How a Single Mom Bought Her First Home in Atlanta After a Breakup

Buying a Home After a Breakup: Turning Setbacks Into Success

Homebuying is already a stressful process — but when Ann’s personal life took an unexpected turn, it added an entirely new layer of difficulty. Facing the end of a long-term relationship, Ann had to find stability for herself and her son, fast. Instead of letting the situation paralyze her, she took it as a chance to reset her life in a powerful way: by becoming a homeowner.

“I thought to myself, what can I do that feels big but is doable? I could buy a home, I guess, and maybe I’ll look into that.” – Ann

Ann’s determination set the tone for an impressively quick journey — going from starting her search to being under contract in just 11 days.

How a Single Mom Bought a Home in a High-Cost Atlanta Market in Just 11 Days

Buying a home in a competitive, high-cost city like Atlanta isn’t easy, especially on a single income. But Ann’s preparation put her in a strong position. She had built up savings, maintained excellent credit, stayed debt-free, and ran careful budgeting exercises to test whether she could manage a mortgage payment.

“It’s always been the dream to own my own home. I thought, well, I have kind of my life back now. What’s something I’ve wanted to do for myself or my son that would feel big, but that is doable?” – Ann

By staying disciplined financially and open-minded about options like condos and PMI, Ann set herself up to act quickly when the right opportunity appeared.

Why Choosing a Local Expert Over a Zillow Realtor Changed Everything for Ann

Ann’s first experience with a Zillow-connected agent was frustrating — and eye-opening. The agent was unfamiliar with property basics, called Ann by the wrong name, and recommended listings that didn’t match Ann’s needs. It became clear that having a local expert who understood both the market and her personal goals would be essential.

“They asked me questions that I didn’t even know needed to be asked. After working with them, I just knew I was in good hands.” – Ann

Working with a unicorn realtor team who actually listened, strategized, and guided her made all the difference — ultimately helping her go under contract in record time.

Using PMI to Buy a Home with 3% Down: Ann’s Strategy

A big turning point for Ann was shifting her mindset around PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance). Instead of seeing it as a burden, she understood that PMI could help her buy sooner, without waiting years to save 20% down.

“PMI is not the devil. Paying $92 a month for PMI allowed me to buy my home with just 3% down, and I ended up paying less overall than I would have with a 20% down payment.” – Ann

By embracing a low down payment loan with PMI, Ann was able to secure a stable monthly payment and move into a growing community — building equity immediately.

Shopping Lenders: How Customer Service Helped Ann Win

Ann didn’t just settle for the first lender she spoke to. She compared offers, evaluated customer service, and ultimately chose a lender who treated her like a priority — answering calls, responding to emails, and recalculating loan options quickly whenever needed.

“I felt like I was calling family. Like I never felt like I was bothering. I asked, I probably asked him for like 4 or 5 loan estimates in the beginning, and he just kept helping me.” – Ann

Having a lender who cared made the entire financing process smoother, helping Ann stay confident through fast negotiations and paperwork.

Buying a Condo in Atlanta: What First-Time Buyers Must Know

Ann’s choice to buy a condo brought some unique challenges — but careful research protected her investment. She insisted on seeing full HOA financials, meeting minutes, and reserve reports to ensure the building was in good standing. Her unicorn team made sure these checks were completed before her deposit became nonrefundable.

“Meeting minutes are fascinating. If they’re not providing full financials or meeting minutes, ask questions. If they can’t get them, walk away.” – Ann

For any first-time buyer considering a condo, Ann’s experience is a powerful reminder: never skip due diligence when it comes to the HOA.

Lessons for First-Time Homebuyers: Ann’s Best Advice

Ann’s journey wasn’t just about smart financial moves — it was also about mindset. She advocated for herself, stayed curious, leaned on trusted experts, and adapted her financial strategy when necessary. She even temporarily reduced her retirement contributions to free up cash for closing and post-move expenses, knowing she could ramp them back up later.

“Be assertive, ask questions, and trust your team to give you the answers you need.” – Ann

Through every step, Ann proved that success in homebuying — even under pressure — comes from a mix of preparation, flexibility, and the right people on your side.

Ready to Start Your Homebuying Journey?

If you’re planning to buy your first home — especially in a competitive market like Atlanta — having the right team makes all the difference. Find a trusted real estate expert here to help you navigate inspections, negotiations, and escrow with confidence.

Have specific questions about your situation? Ask David your homebuying question and get personalized advice.

Prefer to explore more at your own pace? Access our free first-time homebuyer resources here.