Atlanta, the capital and biggest city in Georgia is a major economic center of the Southeast. Atlanta has seen significant growth in recent years resulting in rising housing prices. However, thanks to the rapid pace of new construction there are still many options for first-time homebuyers. Step one? Obtain a home mortgage or zero down interest only loan, which are offered by the Atlanta Mortgage Company and similar lending houses. For those in need of advice companies such LW Keith & Associates, Inc. in Atlanta offer a guide to potential homebuyers.

Before applying for a mortgage a borrower should first determine the amount he needs and the monthly installment he can afford. The lender will have the final say on the amount of the loan after considering the borrower's credit and employment history, income and previous debts. Once the Atlanta mortgage company reviews this information, the company will supply a pre-qualification letter that gives the borrower a buying clout. Once an agreement has been reached between the buyer and the seller, the lending company will finalize the loan.

There are two types of mortgages: a fixed rate loan and an adjustable rate loan. With a fixed rate loan, the monthly payment including the principal and the interest will never change for the duration of the loan. These mortgages are available for periods ranging from biweekly to 30-years.

Adjustable rate mortgages offer an introductory rate in the beginning for a fixed time period and afterwards an adjusted rate based on the index rate like a 6-month Certificate of Deposit (CD) rate, one-year Treasury Security rate or others. Adjustable rate mortgages have a lifetime cap which protects the borrower from monthly payment going too high at once In Atlanta, the rates of interest on home mortgages range from 4 to 6 percent. Most lenders and mortgage brokers have their own websites, offering home mortgages and refinancing on line and eliminating closing costs. Today, Atlanta's interest-only mortgages are soaring thanks to the continuous increase in housing prices. On the whole, Atlanta's real estate market is peaking due to the increase in population and heavy growth in the employment rate.