Buyers Guide - Savannah, Georgia

Buyers Guide
SAVANNAH, GEORGIA

VICTORY DRIVE SHOP
ENGEL & VÖLKERS SAVANNAH

Engel & Völkers Savannah
Local Market Expertise
From starter homes to dream homes, Engel & Völkers Savannah
provides unparalleled and personalized home buying experiences
for every client. We believe that buying a home is one of the most
important decisions you will make. It’s an honor and our passion to
be part of this journey with you.
We make it our responsibility to understand your goals, from overall
vision and budget, to neighborhood amenities and architectural
details. As trusted advisors we specialize in the sale of Savannah’s
new and resale, historic properties, luxury homes, residential
communities, condominiums, land, and investment opportunities.
To us, luxury is about the richness of life that begins and ends in the
most important space we know – home.

Community Guide
Discover every locale, from golfing communities overlooking
the marsh to historic city squares each Savannah neighborhood
offers home buyers something unique.

Downtown
Artsy, eclectic and steeped in history, striking the perfect
balance between urban living and southern charm.
LANDMARK HISTORIC DISTRICT
Lined with oak trees and draped with Spanish moss,
Savannah’s Landmark Historic District is the heart of this
coastal city. Dotted along the streets are restaurants,
boutiques, museums, landmarks and more, giving the
neighborhood a relaxing and exciting atmosphere.
VICTORIAN DISTRICT
Flowing south from the Landmark Historic District at the
center of Forsyth Park this area is defined by restored
Victorian homes featuring ornate details.
THOMAS SQUARE / STARLAND DIST.
The area began as a large preservation effort bringing
together well-preserved architecture with the cities
best indie boutiques, cafés, and shops. The magazine
Southern Living has named Thomas Square number one
neighborhood of the South in 2020.
Midtown
This peaceful locale attracts families with its oak-lined
avenues and early 20th century craftsmanship.
BALDWIN PARK
An enclave of early 20th century single family homes
and picturesque promenades Baldwin Park is a popular
choice as an affordable residential area for those desiring
convenience to Savannah’s Downtown area.
ARDSLEY PARK / CHATHAM CRESENT
Savannah’s first suburb established in 1910 with a series
of squares and pocket parks. Find grandiose mansions,
quaint bungalows, and everything in between while
exuding a friendly, family focused atmosphere.
PARKSIDE
This charming neighborhood radiates hometown warmth
and familiarity. Aptly named for its proximity to Daffin
Park, families and sports teams can be found tossing balls
across the green every day. This community also plays
host an annual neighborhood-wide yard sale.

Southside
Savannah’s southern regions feature everything from
mid-century ranches to waterfront mansions.
HABERSHAM WOODS
Built in the 60s and 70s with access to both Downtown to
the north and commercial corridors to the south.
GROVELAND/KENSINGTON PARK
East and The Islands
Conveniently located east of Downtown these distinctive
neighborhoods sport a more laid-back approach.
GORDONSTON
Similar to Midtown’s Ardsley Park in look this area is
permeated with a sense of peaceful seclusion with easy
access to the entire Savannah area.
THUNDERBOLT
This tiny maritime municipality is peppered with homes
reminiscent of old Key West with vacation rental potential.
THE ISLANDS
Subdivision of mid-century homes conveniently located to
shopping all with a neighborhood swimming pool.
COFFEE BLUFF
Secluded with a few hundred family homes, a public
marina, and a historic, waterfront monastery.
SKIDAWAY ISLAND
Upscale gates communities, private golf courses and
deep-water marinas nestled among the natural grandeur
of this islands salt marshes and maritime forests.
ISLE OF HOPE AND DUTCH ISLAND
Classic and charming neighborhood with beautiful old
cottages and grand mansions overlooking the river.
Each of Savannah’s east islands has distinct personality
offering gated or traditional communities, single family or
condos, and waterfront lots at all price points.
TYBEE ISLAND
Well known as Savannah’s beach, just 20 minutes from
Downtown with oceanfront condos and pastel cottages
attracting beach goers and marine enthusiasts.

Neighboring Locals
This peaceful locale attracts families with its oak-lined
avenues and early 20th century craftsmanship.
BRYAN COUNTY
Offering both pine tree woods and marshland to the
southwest of Savannah, conveniently located to Fort
West Savannah
Emerging cities and towns meet peaceful countryside,
where families seek room to grow.
WEST CHATHAM COUNTY
Savannah’s hub for industrial and manufacturing base
this area encompasses Port Wentworth, Bloomingdale,
Pooler, and Garden City. These areas boast affordable
homes, growing golf communities, family spaces and an
abundance of popular recreational opportunities.
Stewart. Richmond Hill, the largest town is a lively locale
with upscale gated communities and plentiful recreational
opportunities.
EFFINGHAM COUNTY
Surrounded by green ranches and family farms. Many
of the organic farms, horticulturists and ranchers who
participate in the Forsyth Park Farmers Market grow
crops, raise cattle, and package preserves here. Offering
residential areas of differing characters Rincon, Guyton,
and Springfield, the county seat.
BERWICK
Distinct, newer neighborhoods connected by wide side
walks with golf, tennis and fitness facilities.
GEORGETOWN
One of Savannah’s first master planned communities with
a variety of single-family homes, condominiums,
schools, and a community center.
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SOUTHBRIDGE
Just 15 minutes west of Downtown find a variety of newer,
large homes, a golf course and community resort center
with highly engaged neighborly interaction.

The Power of Investing
in Home Ownership
There are both financial and emotional benefits to owning
a home. After all, a home is the center of your world.
HOME EQUITY
When you own a home, you are investing your money into
your future. Home equity has the ability to increase each
time you make your monthly payments, as well as when
you make value adding home improvements. In a strong
economy, home values can increase. The greater your
equity in your home, the more you can capitalize on the
home’s value over time.

FIXED COSTS
Seek professional advise from your tax consultants about
your financing options (if you are financing) to tailor your
investment commitment to your specific needs.
CREATIVE FREEDOM
Owning a property allows you to surround yourself with an
aesthetic that reflects your personality and brings you joy.
The possibilities can be endless when it comes to turning
your home into your dream space.
STABILITY
A home should be a place of comfort and happiness. With
homeownership comes a sense of security in an investment
and a space where memories are made.

Partner with an
Engel & Völkers Advisor
By offering more than a typical real estate agent, Engel &
Völkers Advisors represent an elevated level of service.
We are known for our performance, expertise, and
unmistakable service experience we provide clients.
We know the people, the places and the nuances of
each cul-de-sac, community and country we represent.
As trusted Advisors, we guide you through your home
journey with distinguished care – and a bit of fun.

The reasons for buying a home are personal, so the first
thing to consider is what you want to achieve with the
purchase of your home.
Buying a home is filled with both strategic thinking and
emotions. With ever-changing market conditions and
other variable, various factors may affect the path you
take in finding the property that’s right for you.
As your consultant an Engel & Völkers advisor helps you
understand the market landscape and determine, based
on your goals, if now is in fact the right time to buy and
then identifying the correct the correct approach.
With professional knowledge and industry leading tools
your Advisor can search all available properties and hand
select for your unique needs.

Searching for your
Dream Home
It is advised to invest the time in outlining the key factors
and features relating your home search, including:
YOUR BUYING POWER
It’s important to identify what you are able to afford when
it comes to a home and how much a lender is willing to
loan based on key factors such as income, debt, expenses,
etc. Your advisor can help you work within that budget and
take into account other considerations as it relates to the
property you seek to purchase.
DESIRED TYPE OF HOME
Are you looking for a single-family home, townhouse,
condominium, co-op or a multi-family building? There are
many options and considerations for each in Savannah.

YOUR MUST-HAVES
Identify your must-haves and list them out in priority, for
both you and whomever you may be purchasing with. Make
a list of your non-negotiables when it comes to a home and
consider it when you are visiting properties.
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
One of the most important factors to consider when
looking for your new home, because unlike structures,
paint colors and flooring, the location cannot be changed.
Beyond the physical location of the home within the
city or town, you should think about the location in the
neighborhood or building, as this too will have an impact on
your home’s value.

The Buying Process
FINANCING APPROVAL
Unless you are paying cash for a property
Pre-Approval from a lender is a necessary
first step. Lenders pull credit reports,
verify your income and expenses, and help
determine the best mortgage product for
you with a comfortable monthly payment.
Ask an Advisor for a trusted lender partner.
SUBMIT AN OFFER
An offer is written as a purchase and
sale agreement put together by your
Advisor. The offer includes sale price,
earnest money (a deposit held by a
third party), closing date, and any
relevant contingencies to help protect
your interest in the transaction.
FIND AN ADVISOR
We ask questions to shape the service
that follows, and show properties that
best match your criteria. Your Advisor
maintains relationships with trusted
partners to provide the essential services
you’ll require throughout the purchasing
process, including finance, insurance,
inspections and legal representation.
FIND YOUR
DREAM HOME
As you begin your search,
keep track of what makes
one property different from
the other. Take notes of the
homes you visit and stay
organized so you can easily
compare, this will help you
make better decisions.

NEGOTIATION AND
ACCEPTANCE
Your offer will be presented to the
Seller who typically will counteroffer
or accept. In negotiations, your
Advisor will review contracts
and protect your best interest in
counteroffers. When a contact is
accepted earnest money will be
deposited by the holder.
DUE DILIGENCE AND
CONTINGENCY PERIOD
Use your due diligence period
to inspect every element of
the property home along with
any requested repairs. Your
lender may require home and
termite inspections, or appraisal
contingencies to be satisfied
during this time period.
THE CLOSING
Typically four to six weeks after the
purchase and sale contract is executed,
the closing includes the buyer and seller,
along with their respective agents, and a
closing attorney.
In this process the buyer and seller
execute and sign all remaining legal
documents and pay all closing costs and
escrow items. Be sure to bring certified
funds for any remaining costs. When
all the paperwork is completed you will
receive the keys to your new home.
Common Factors That Stall Closing:
• Debt to Income or Credit Changes
• Title Conflicts or Liens
• Sale Price Not Meeting Appraisal
• Discovery of Inspection Issue

The Moving
Experience
Moving your treasured possessions into your new home takes a lot of work
whether you do it yourself or hire someone. Your Advisor can connect you
with trusted moving partners to help make this process as smooth as possible.
AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
Decide on how you will be moving, by hiring a company, renting
a truck, or friends and family. Confirm availability get quotes
and any additional cost like packing materials.
Take stock of your possessions and decide what will be moved
and what could be removed, sold, or donated.
Notify others of your new address: charge accounts,
subscriptions, relatives and friends, past or current employers,
banks and retirement accounts, and government agencies.
ONE WEEK BEFORE MOVING
Notify and get refunds from your utilities: gas, electric, water,
cable and phone. Arrange for services at your new home.
Gather all valuables, jewelry, important papers to take with you
personally on moving day.
DAY OF MOVING
Plan on spending the entire day with the movers.
Make a final walk through of the house including storage areas,
attic, and cabinets to make sure everything is empty.
Lock all windows, doors, and drop off keys. Consider taking
photos or video of the vacant house for proof of condition.

Buyers Notes

ENGEL & VÖLKERS SAVANNAH
(912) 238-0874
1650 East Victory Drive | Savannah | GA 31404
©2023 Engel & Völkers. All rights reserved. Each brokerage independently owned and operated. Engel & Völkers and its independent License Partners are Equal Opportunity Employers and fully support the principles of the Fair Housing Act.