Trusted guidance for Athens first-time buyers
Focused on context, cost, and confidence.
For over 26 years, I’ve called Athens, GA home, giving me a deep understanding of its neighborhoods, schools, and surrounding communities. I help first-time buyers make sense of the process by focusing on what truly matters: understanding their situation, the real costs involved, and feeling confident about their decisions.
While I personally guide you through every step, you also benefit from the experience of my trusted team — with over 30 years of combined knowledge and a broker with more than two decades in the business. You’ll never be passed around or treated like a transaction.
My goal isn’t just to help you buy a house. It’s to help you avoid costly mistakes, reduce risk, and feel truly at home in your very first place — with clarity from start to finish.
Buying Your First Home Doesn’t Have to Be Scary
Buying your first home does not have to be scary or confusing. Many people think they need perfect credit or a lot of money saved, but that’s often not true.
What matters most is understanding where you are right now and what your real options are. Many first-time buyers can get started with as little as 3.5% down and a credit score around 580. In general, you’ll need steady income, about two years of work history, legal status in the United States, and a Social Security number.
If you’re not sure where you stand, that’s okay. My job is to explain things in a simple way, answer your questions honestly, and help you feel clear and confident about what comes next — without pressure.
What My Clients Say
“Marcelo was referred to us by friends who bought a house from him a year ago. We were unfamiliar with Athens GA and he was very helpful in orienting us to the area. He was very knowledgeable about the market and listened well to our comments so he could better understand what type of house we wanted. He is very perceptive and clearly enjoys working with customers to find the perfect house. He was very patient and always available to answer questions but gave us enough space to talk among ourselves when we were looking at houses. He is an excellent communicator and negotiator and kept us in the loop throughout the process. Marcelo is a long time resident of Athens and was helpful in providing recommendations for services.
In my opinion, he went above and beyond the services of a typical realtor. We enjoyed working with him and appreciated his sense of humor and professionalism.I would highly recommend Marcelo!”
Doug McNabb
“I think the word ‘integrity’ nicely sums up Marcelo as a real estate agent. This, along with his attentiveness, diligence and down-to-earth demeanor, made working with him a great pleasure. He quickly learned what our home ‘type’ was, and he was more than helpful in finding some gems that had managed to slip through our dragnet (we ended up making an offer on one and buying another). It quickly became clear that he really keeps the best interests of his clients in mind, so I could feel comfortable letting down my guard to be more at home with the whole process. All his guidance and hard work are greatly appreciated. I highly recommend working with him if you get the chance!”