Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

Thinking about leasing a space for a restaurant in Metro Atlanta? Erika shares the checklist from her own restaurant-space hunt for a client: zoning, parking, the back door, traffic counts, the health department’s plan review, and the lease terms to negotiate before you sign. Fall in love with the deal, not the space.

Read the article: https://erikakpage.com/blog/leasing-a-restaurant-space Curious what your home is worth? https://erikakpage.com/home-value

Voiced by an AI trained on Erika’s own voice. Researched from the sources linked below.

Sources:

• U.S. Small Business Administration, Pick your business location: https://www.sba.gov/counseling/launch-your-business/
• Fulton County Board of Health, Basic Requirements for Opening a Food Service Establishment: https://www.fultoncountyga.gov/-/media/Departments/Board-of-Health/Environmental-Health/Restaurant-Inspection/Link-List-Items/Starting-A-Food-Service-Business.pdf
• Gwinnett, Newton & Rockdale County Health Departments, Food Service Plan Review Requirements: https://gnrhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Food-Service-Plan-Review-Requirements-fillable-3-11-16-JER.pdf
• City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management, Grease Management: https://atlantawatershed.org/grease-management-3/
• Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services, Fire Permits and Certificate of Occupancy: https://www.gwinnettcounty.com/static/departments/fire_emergency/pdf/obtaining_fire_permit.pdf
• Georgia DOT, Traffic Analysis and Data Application (TADA): https://gdottrafficdata.drakewell.com/publicmultinodemap.asp

This episode explains how things generally work and isn’t legal or tax advice. Erika K. Page, Axen Realty. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

Thinking about moving to Metro Atlanta? Erika moved here from Chicago more than 27 years ago, and in this episode she shares what she wishes someone had told her first: Atlanta is 29 counties, not one city. Your school district depends on the exact address. Ten miles can take fifteen minutes or an hour. Spring brings record pollen. And there’s a 30-day clock on your Georgia driver’s license and car registration.

Read the full article: https://erikakpage.com/blog/relocating-to-metro-atlanta Curious what your home is worth? https://erikakpage.com/home-value

Voiced by an AI trained on Erika’s own voice. Researched from the sources linked below.

Sources:

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Atlanta area employment (the 29 counties): https://www.bls.gov/regions/southeast/news-release/areaemployment_atlanta.htm
• U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024, via Census Reporter (commute time): https://censusreporter.org/profiles/31000US12060-atlanta-sandy-springs-roswell-ga-metro-area/
• Georgia DOT, MARTA agency profile: https://myfiles.dot.ga.gov/Intermodal/Transit/Profile%20Sheets/MARTA.pdf
• Georgia school report cards: https://goews.georgia.gov/report-card
• Atlanta Allergy & Asthma, pollen counts: https://www.atlantaallergy.com/pollen_counts
• Atlanta News First, pollen count record (March 29, 2025): https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2025/03/29/atlanta-shatters-pollen-count-record-rising-far-above-extreme-standards/
• State of Georgia, Moving to Georgia: https://georgia.gov/moving-georgia
• Georgia DDS, transfer an out-of-state license: https://dds.georgia.gov/georgia-licenses-ids-and-permits/new-license-id-or-permit/new-georgia-residents-and-out-state/how
• Georgia DOR, new residents’ vehicles: https://dor.georgia.gov/motor-vehicles/vehicle-registration-license-plates/new-georgia

This episode explains how things generally work and isn’t legal or tax advice. Erika K. Page, Axen Realty. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

If you own the home you live in and haven't filed for a homestead exemption, you may be paying property tax on a break you never claimed. And from 2027, filing does even more.

In this episode, Erika K. Page, a Metro Atlanta real estate agent with 24+ years of experience, explains:

- what a homestead exemption is, and who qualifies

- when and where to file in Georgia (the April 1 deadline)

- the 2024 change: a cap on how fast your home's taxable value can grow

- the 2026 HOME Act, and why it makes that cap apply everywhere

- what it doesn't do, and what to do now

Read the article:

https://erikakpage.com/homestead

Want to know what your home is worth?

https://erikakpage.com/home-value

Voiced by an AI trained on Erika's own voice. Researched from the sources linked below.

Sources:

- State of Georgia, Apply for a Homestead Exemption: https://georgia.gov/apply-homestead-exemption

- Georgia Department of Revenue, Homestead Exemptions: https://dor.georgia.gov/property-tax-homestead-exemptions

- Georgia DOR, Informational Bulletin 2025-01: https://dor.georgia.gov/media/35186/download

- Senate Bill 33 (2026), the HOME Act, as signed: https://gov.georgia.gov/document/2026-signed-legislation/sb-33/download

- WABE: https://www.wabe.org/georgia-governor-signs-income-property-tax-reduction-laws/

- Tax Foundation: https://taxfoundation.org/blog/georgia-property-tax-reform/

- Georgia Budget and Policy Institute: https://gbpi.org/sine-die-2026-georgia-rejects-property-tax-caps-and-adds-major-investments-for-gbpi-priorities-eight-year-income-tax-package-threatens-outlook/

- Georgia Municipal Association: https://www.gacities.com/articles/the-2026-session-in-review-what-passed-what-didnt-and-what-it-means

- Ownwell: https://www.ownwell.com/blog/georgia-home-act-senate-bill-33-property-taxes

Explanatory only, not tax or legal advice. Confirm with your county tax office. Erika K. Page is a licensed Georgia real estate agent with Axen Realty. Equal Housing Opportunity.