Lying at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, at 1000 feet above sea level, Atlanta has much going for it- a mild climate with mild winters, location, transportation, ease of air access and more. Residential real estate price appreciation has been steady until this year. Where the Georgia State median house price is around $235,000, Atlanta median is around $175,000(2006) and foreclosure sales are averaging $130,000 with excellent savings secured in many locations. North Atlanta and Peachtree City have home prices in a higher bracket; some price appreciation can still be expected along the southern perimeter.

There are three ways to make the most of the below market price values of foreclosure houses by buying at different stages of the process, each of which offers its own set of challenges. New entrants to this market risk at best paying retail unless they take the time and put in the effort required to learn the various strategies and tools of trade well known to the experienced investor, as well as a general understanding of the state law, and how foreclosed properties are marketed to the public. Then there are the economic and demographic factors important to this particular metropolitan region.