Buford, Georgia · Where People Matter
Lake Lanier. Mall of Georgia. Closed comps.
North Gwinnett / Hall edge with Lanier recreation, Mall of Georgia retail scale, and Buford City Schools draw. Here’s the Oct 5 Gwinnett GAMLS City=Buford cut — not last year’s RPR ZIP headline.
- ZIP 30518
- Gwinnett (+ Hall edge)
- ~38 mi to Atlanta
- Lake Lanier / Mall of Georgia
- Buford City / GCPS / Hall feeds
Single-family · City = Buford · Gwinnett GAMLS export pulled Oct 5, 2026 · sold through Oct 2, 2026.
About Buford
Where is Buford, GA — and why do buyers chase Lanier + Mall of Georgia?
Buford sits on the Gwinnett/Hall line about 38 miles northeast of Atlanta (primary ZIP 30518), with I-85 / I-985 access, Lake Lanier recreation, and the Mall of Georgia retail corridor. Buyers come for lakefront-to-subdivision range, Buford City Schools where the address qualifies, and GCPS or Hall feeds elsewhere — always verify district on the parcel.
Railroad town, lake market, mega-retail neighbor
Historic downtown Buford still has a Main Street core, while growth around the Mall of Georgia and toward Lanier added decades of subdivisions and selective new product. This page’s market table is City = Buford inside the Gwinnett GAMLS Residential SFR export — Hall County Buford addresses need a separate pull.
Davis Team · Loganville-based
Local, not “local-ish”
Chris Davis and the Davis Team work Walton County every day — 19+ years in this market, 500+ homes closed, $150M+ career production, 5.0★ on Google.
Official: City of Buford. Gwinnett County: gwinnettcounty.com.
Buford market · Gwinnett GAMLS export Oct 5, 2026
How’s the Buford housing market right now (October 2026)?
Balanced East Metro story. Single-family homes in Buford closed at a median $460,000 over the last 90 days (49 sales), at 98.2% of list after a median 33 days on market. There are 58 active listings (median ask $554,950) — about 3.55 months of inventory. Most deals (29 of 49) included seller concessions.
Single-family · City = Buford · Gwinnett GAMLS
| Median close · 90 days | $460,000 across 49 closed sales (Jul 5 – Oct 2, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Median close · ~12 months | $496,950 across 230 closed sales (Oct 3, 2025 – Oct 2, 2026) |
| Days on market (closed, 90d) | 33 median |
| Sale-to-list (90d) | 98.2% median · 35 under list / 9 at list / 5 over list |
| Concessions (90d) | 29 of 49 closings showed concessions > $0 · median $10,000 when offered |
| $ / sq ft | $181 closed (90d) · $197 active asking |
| For sale right now | 58 active · median ask $554,950 · median 86 days on market |
| Months of inventory | 3.55 = 58 active ÷ (49 sold ÷ 3 months) |
Source: Gwinnett County GAMLS export pulled Oct 5, 2026; sold closings through Oct 2, 2026. Filter: City = Buford, single-family residence in the Gwinnett County GAMLS export (primary ZIP 30518; some 30519/30011 rows), pulled Oct 5, 2026. Hall County Buford parcels are outside this Gwinnett export. Listing data © Georgia MLS. Deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Gwinnett County backdrop (Fannie Mae PDF, current–3 months SFR): median sale $430,000, DOM 29, MOI 4.5, STL 98.63%. City table uses city GAMLS only.
Price
$460K
Median sold · last 90 days (n=49). 12-mo median: $496,950 (n=230).
Sale vs ask
98.2%
Median close ÷ list · 90 days. Under/at/over: 35/9/5.
Tempo
33 days
Median DOM on 90-day closes. Active median DOM: 86.
Supply
3.55 mo
Months of inventory from this export.
$/sqft closed
$181
Median close price per sq ft · 90 days.
$/sqft active ask
$197
Median list $/sqft on active. Asking ≠ closed.
Active ask
$555K
Median list price · 58 active.
Concessions
59%
29 of 49 recent closings. Median $10,000 when offered.
Davis take: Lanier lifestyle and Mall of Georgia convenience keep Buford sticky — but active asks ($555K median) sit well above the $460K 90-day close median. Underwrite the house and the county line; Hall parcels aren’t in this Gwinnett export.
Video: Davis Team corridor market update (August 2026). Numbers in the video may differ from the figures on this page.
Getting around
How long is the commute from Buford?
Downtown Atlanta is about 38 miles via I-85 — figure 45–70 minutes at peak. Gainesville is a short hop north on I-985; Lawrenceville and Duluth are local Gwinnett trips.
| Destination | Miles | Est. drive time | Via |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown Atlanta | ~38 | 45–70 min | I-85 S |
| Gainesville | ~14 | 18–25 min | I-985 N |
| Lawrenceville | ~14 | 18–25 min | GA-20 / GA-316 |
| Duluth | ~12 | 15–25 min | GA-20 / I-85 |
| Mall of Georgia | ~5 | 8–15 min | I-85 / local |
| Hartsfield-Jackson Airport (ATL) | ~48 | 55–80 min | I-85 S |
Drive times are estimates under mixed conditions. Check Georgia DOT real-time traffic before you commit to a daily route.
Lifestyle & community
What’s it like to live in Buford?
Lake Lanier lifestyle
Boating, marinas and day-trip lake life north of town — lakefront comps are a different market than inland subdivisions.
Mall of Georgia corridor
Regional retail and dining scale most East Metro cities don’t match.
Downtown Main Street
Walkable historic core with local shops and events — distinct from the interstate retail strip.
School district by parcel
Buford City Schools where eligible; GCPS or Hall County elsewhere. Confirm before you offer.
I-85 / I-985 access
Strong north-metro highway access — peak I-85 delays are still real.
Active builder corridors
New product appears near growth nodes — call Chris before any model-home visit.
Explore Buford
Around the Area: dining, shopping, events, parks, healthcare & arts
Everything below is on the page — tap a category to focus, or tap All to see the full list.
Dine near Buford
Downtown Buford Main Street
Local restaurants and cafes in the historic core.
Mall of Georgia dining
Large concentration of casual and chain options.
The Exchange at Gwinnett
Mixed-use retail/dining near I-85.
Lake Lanier marinas & waterfront spots
Seasonal waterfront dining — confirm hours.
Shop near Buford
Mall of Georgia
One of the Southeast’s largest regional malls.
Downtown Buford boutiques
Locally owned shops along Main Street.
The Exchange at Gwinnett
Open-air retail near the interstate.
Everyday corridor retail
Grocery and services along Buford Drive / I-85 approaches.
Events near Buford
Buford Wine Fest
Popular Main Street event — check current dates.
Downtown Christmas Parade
Local holiday tradition.
City of Buford calendar
Festivals and civic programming.
Lake Lanier Islands events
Seasonal resort programming north of town.
Outdoors near Buford
Lake Lanier
Major reservoir recreation — boating, fishing, day trips.
Lake Lanier Islands Resort
Resort / water amenities on the lake.
Bogan Park area recreation
Local fields, trails and community rec options.
Chattahoochee access nearby
River recreation south / west of Buford.
Healthcare near Buford
Northeast Georgia Medical Center (Gainesville)
Major regional hospital ~15–25 minutes north.
Northside Hospital Gwinnett
Full-service option in Lawrenceville.
Local urgent care
Options along Mall of Georgia / Buford corridors.
Confirm current providers
Networks change — verify before you need them.
Arts near Buford
Buford Community Center programming
Local classes and civic arts events.
Aurora Theatre (Lawrenceville)
Professional theater ~20 minutes.
School arts & athletics
Strong local calendars — Buford City / GCPS vary by address.
Atlanta arts day trips
Museums and concerts ~45–70 minutes.
Hours, dates and openings change — check local calendars and each venue before you go.
Education
Which schools serve Buford, GA?
Buford addresses may fall in Buford City Schools, Gwinnett County Public Schools, or Hall County Schools depending on the parcel. Buford City Schools is a frequent buyer draw where the address qualifies — always confirm with the district locator before you write an offer.
Verify district first
- Buford City Schools (where the parcel qualifies)
- GCPS feeds (e.g. Mill Creek area) appear on many Gwinnett-side addresses
- Hall County schools on some Hall-side Buford addresses
We don’t reprint unverified third-party letter grades — check current district and state data for the exact address.
Official lookups
Higher education
- Lanier Technical College
- University of North Georgia — Gainesville
- Georgia Gwinnett College — Lawrenceville
School zone boundaries change — always verify your address with the district before you buy. Send Chris the address or MLS # and we’ll map the zone.
Builder communities
Is there new construction in Buford, GA?
Buford stays active with builder product near retail corridors, Hamilton Mill–adjacent growth, and selective lake-area communities. We don’t invent lot premiums or incentive sheets — verify what’s released before you tour.
Growth nodes
Townhomes and entry-to-mid product appear near retail — confirm current phases.
Selective product
Lakefront and near-lake pricing is a different comp set than inland SFR.
Established streets
Plenty of existing single-family still trades in the Gwinnett export.
Before model homes
Call Chris first — builder agents represent the builder.
Phases, pricing and incentives change month to month — we confirm what’s actually released before you drive out.
Buying new construction? Bring your own REALTOR®.
The builder’s on-site agent works for the builder — not you. Chris represents buyers at new construction communities across the Atlanta–Athens corridor. It typically costs you nothing and can save thousands on upgrades, options and contract terms.
Run your numbers
Tools for a Buford buy.
Lanier lifestyle still needs PITI, Gwinnett tax and rent-vs-buy math before you chase the ask median.
Mortgage & affordability
Principal, interest, taxes and insurance on a specific price.
Gwinnett CountyGwinnett County tax
Gwinnett millage, Georgia’s 40% rule and the homestead picture.
Any addressRent vs buy
The breakeven on owning in Buford vs renting.
Compare countiesGA tax by county
Compare millage across the East Metro counties we cover.
Homes for sale right now
Search live Buford inventory
No stale address cards here. Inventory moves daily — open the live Keller Williams search for active listings, filters and the map.
As of the Oct 5, 2026 Gwinnett GAMLS export (City = Buford, single-family)
58 active · median ask $554,950 · median DOM 86
Asking range in that pull: $275,000 – $2,000,000. Your filters will differ.
City orientation map only — not a live MLS pin layer. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
How to use the search (60 seconds)
- Open the Buford search — aim the map at the area you care about.
- Filter beds, baths, price and new construction vs resale before you fall for a photo.
- Confirm county (Gwinnett vs Hall) and school district on the parcel before you write.
- Text Chris the MLS #s you like — we run comps and condition math, not vibes.
Playbook
How should you buy or sell in Buford right now?
If we were buying today
Buyer order of operations
- Underwrite condition first. Roof, HVAC, foundation, moisture — price those before you argue about granite.
- Match comps, not list price. Recent closes of similar size and condition beat the active median ask every time.
- Use the concessions math. 29 of the last 49 closings had seller concessions (median $10K when offered).
- Confirm schools + taxes on the parcel before inspection deadlines get spicy.
- Keep your own agent. Builder and listing agents work for the other side. We work for you.
If we were selling today
Seller order of operations
- Price to closes, not active asks. 90-day median close $460K vs active median ask $555K.
- Expect to negotiate concessions on many deals.
- Fixer? Pick the path on purpose. As-is, light make-ready or full remodel. See selling a fixer in East Metro.
- 33 days isn’t failure — that was the median closed DOM.
- Get a street-level number — then list. Homebot below, or call Chris.
Buford is a strong fit if…
- You want Lanier recreation and/or Mall of Georgia convenience.
- You’ll verify Buford City vs GCPS vs Hall by address.
- You’ll price to closes — not the $555K active-ask median.
- I-85 / I-985 access fits your commute pattern.
Probably not if…
- You need a quiet small town with no interstate retail energy.
- You expect Hall-side lake estates to price like inland Gwinnett medians.
- You won’t confirm county and school district on the parcel.
What’s your Buford house worth?
Not the city median. Your address. Instant estimate plus ongoing updates from the Davis Team — then a street-level pricing talk when you’re ready to sell.
FAQ
Buford, GA questions — straight answers
What is the median home price in Buford, GA?
For single-family homes with City = Buford in the Gwinnett County Georgia MLS (GAMLS) export pulled Oct 5, 2026, the median close price was $460,000 over the 90 days ending Oct 2, 2026 (49 sales) and $496,950 over the roughly 12 months ending the same date (230 sales). Median price per square foot on those 90-day closes was about $181. For a number on your specific house, use davisteamhomevalue.com or the Homebot tool on this page.
Is Buford a buyer's or seller's market right now?
As of the Oct 5, 2026 Gwinnett GAMLS export there were 58 active single-family listings against a recent 90-day sales pace — about 3.55 months of inventory. Homes closed at a median 98.2% of list price, and 29 of the last 49 closings included seller concessions (median $10,000 when offered). Price and condition decide it.
How long does it take to sell a house in Buford?
Median days on market for single-family homes that closed in the 90 days ending Oct 2, 2026 was 33 days. Active listings in the same export showed a median of 86 days already on market. Homes priced to recent closed comps sell faster than homes priced to the active asking median ($554,950).
How far is Buford from Atlanta?
Downtown Atlanta is about 38 miles via I-85 — figure 45–70 minutes at peak. Gainesville is a short hop north on I-985; Lawrenceville and Duluth are local Gwinnett trips. Full table is on this page.
What schools serve Buford, GA?
Buford addresses may fall in Buford City Schools, Gwinnett County Public Schools, or Hall County Schools depending on the parcel. Buford City Schools is a frequent buyer draw where the address qualifies — always confirm with the district locator before you write an offer.
Do I need a REALTOR® to buy new construction in Buford?
You should have one, and it typically costs the buyer nothing. The builder's on-site sales agent represents the builder. Your own agent reviews the builder contract, negotiates incentives and upgrades, and protects you at inspections and walkthrough. Call Chris before you walk into any model home: 770-833-5965.
How do property taxes work in Buford?
Buford is in Gwinnett County (confirm any city levy on the exact parcel). Run the address through our Gwinnett County property tax guide and the Georgia tax hub.
Why use the Davis Team to buy or sell in Buford?
We're based in Loganville and work this corridor every day — Walton, Gwinnett and neighboring counties — with 19+ years in the market, 500+ homes closed, $150M+ in career production and a 5.0★ Google rating. We price with real MLS data, not automated estimates. Call or text Chris at 770-833-5965 or email chris@eastgahomes.com.
Ready to make a move in Buford?
Search what’s actually for sale. Run your address. Or call Chris and skip the algorithm theater.
Davis Team · Keller Williams Atlanta Partners · chris@eastgahomes.com
Keep reading
Market source: Gwinnett County GAMLS export pulled Oct 5, 2026 (gwinnett-precise-stats.json). Filter: City = Buford, single-family residence in the Gwinnett County GAMLS export (primary ZIP 30518; some 30519/30011 rows), pulled Oct 5, 2026. Hall County Buford parcels are outside this Gwinnett export. Sold through Oct 2, 2026. Months of inventory = 58 ÷ (49 ÷ 3) = 3.55. Listing data © Georgia MLS (GAMLS); deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Lifestyle, commute and community details from Davis Team local knowledge and the prior Buford city page. Drive times are estimates. Your house still needs its own comps.