Buying a Home in Kennesaw
Buying in Kennesaw follows Georgia's standard, attorney-supervised closing process -- the same structural requirement that applies statewide -- plus Cobb County's own multi-layer property-tax structure (county, school district, and, if inside city limits, City of Kennesaw municipal millage) worth understanding before writing an offer.
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Learn moreGeorgia closings are legally required to involve an attorney
As throughout Georgia, a real estate closing is legally treated as the practice of law -- only a Georgia-licensed attorney can prepare the deed, review closing documents, and supervise or handle disbursement of funds. Attorney fees commonly run $700 to $2,000 or more depending on the transaction, as part of an overall Georgia closing-cost range of roughly 2%-5% of the purchase price.
Georgia transfer tax and intangible recording tax
Georgia's state real estate transfer tax generally runs about $1 per $1,000 of the sale price (commonly seller-paid, per contract terms). A separate intangible recording tax applies to most financed purchases -- generally $1.50 per $500 of the loan amount for mortgages of 62 months or longer (effective July 2025) -- typically paid by the buyer.
Cobb County's multi-layer property tax structure
Cobb County's 2026 General Fund Maintenance & Operations millage held flat at 8.46 mills, with a separate 2.97-mill Fire Fund levy -- but these county-level rates are only part of a specific parcel's total bill, which also includes the separate Cobb County School District millage and, for properties inside Kennesaw's incorporated city limits, the City of Kennesaw's own municipal millage. A precise, current, Kennesaw-specific COMBINED effective rate was not resolved to a single verified figure this research pass -- confirm the exact combined rate for a specific parcel directly with the Cobb County Tax Commissioner and the City of Kennesaw before writing an offer.
File for the Georgia homestead exemption promptly after closing
Buyers of a primary residence in Cobb County should file for the standard Georgia homestead exemption promptly after closing to reduce the taxable value on the property -- confirm the current filing deadline and any additional Cobb County-specific exemptions (such as an age-65 exemption, if applicable) directly with the Cobb County Tax Assessor's office.
Key takeaways
- Georgia law requires a licensed Georgia attorney to conduct real estate closings -- attorney fees commonly run $700-$2,000+, part of an overall Georgia closing-cost range of roughly 2%-5% of the purchase price.
- Georgia's state transfer tax runs about $1 per $1,000 of sale price (commonly seller-paid); a separate intangible recording tax of about $1.50 per $500 of loan amount applies to most mortgages of 62+ months (commonly buyer-paid, effective July 2025).
- Cobb County's 2026 millage (8.46 mills General Fund M&O + 2.97 mills Fire) is only part of a specific bill -- Cobb County School District millage and, inside city limits, City of Kennesaw municipal millage also apply. A precise combined Kennesaw-specific effective rate was not resolved this pass -- confirm directly per parcel.
- File for Georgia's standard homestead exemption promptly after closing on a primary residence, and confirm any additional Cobb County-specific exemptions directly with the Cobb County Tax Assessor.
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