In this special case study episode, top Atlanta real estate agent Judy Jernigan sits down with her home seller clients Jessica and David Rossi to break down the exact smart, strategic choices that led to an incredible outcome: seven offers in 36 hours, a final sale at 104.3% of list price, selling 8 times faster than the area average, ,and a strong backup offer secured. Closing was smooth sailing. These savvy home sellers share the exact steps you and Judy can replicate with your own home.

From picking the right updates (like new paint and carpet) to choosing not to renovate the kitchen, this episode walks through the real decision-making process behind a fast, smooth, top-dollar home sale.

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Sell your Atlanta home faster, for top dollar, and with less hassle. Schedule a real estate listing consultation now, or simply book a chat.

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Featured Guest:

Jessica and David Rossi are recent home sellers who partnered with Judy and the Sage & Grace Realty Group to prepare, price, and list their Atlanta-area home. Their strategic choices, teamwork, and openness to guidance led to one of the highest-performing listings in the neighborhood.

In this episode we talk about:

• Real seller perspectives on working with a great listing agent
• Why they skipped a kitchen reno but upgraded their bathroom
• What updates made the biggest difference in buyer appeal
• How paint and carpet created a move-in ready look
• Strategic pricing to stand out in a high-demand area
• How multiple offers were managed and organized
• Surprises during due diligence and what went smoothly
• Advice they’d give to other homeowners getting ready to sell

Why This Matters for Home Sellers:

Hearing directly from homeowners who just went through a sale gives you an inside look at what works and what doesn’t. If you’re thinking about selling your home soon, this episode will give you clarity, encouragement, and actionable insights to prepare the smart way.

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A home warranty doesn’t just protect appliances - it can protect your entire deal. In this episode, Judy Jernigan is joined by Keri Smith, a home warranty expert to break down what home warranties really cover, how they differ from homeowners insurance, and how offering one can be a powerful negotiating tool when selling your home.

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Sell your Atlanta home faster, for top dollar, and with less hassle. Schedule a real estate listing consultation now, or simply book a chat.

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Featured Guest:

Keri Smith, Your Warranty Gal, is a home warranty industry veteran and wealth of knowledge. She currently serves as the business development and real estate marketing representative for Choice Home Warranty, helping both homeowners and agents navigate the fine print with confidence.

Instagram & Facebook: @yourwarrantygal

Email: ksmith@chwpro.com

In this episode we talk about:

• What a home warranty covers (and what it doesn’t)
• How warranties complement homeowners insurance
• Seller coverage during the listing period
• Transferring warranties to buyers at closing
• How to use a warranty as a negotiation tool
• Why offering a warranty helps older homes compete with new construction
• Multi-year warranty plans and what to expect
• The HVAC sticker hack you can try with ChatGPT
• Setting realistic expectations with coverage terms

Why This Matters for Home Sellers:

Homebuyers are comparing your listing to new construction. Offering a home warranty can boost their confidence, protect your bottom line during negotiations, and reduce post-inspection surprises. Even better - many policies can be started with no upfront cost during your listing period and transferred to the home buyer at closing.

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Selling your home can bring big financial gains, but it can also bring a big tax bill if you’re not prepared. In this episode, Judy Jernigan is joined by tax strategist Alysha Harvey of Distinct Tax Consulting to share smart, proactive tax tips for home sellers. From capital gains to 1031 exchanges to inherited property rules, this is the real-world guidance every Atlanta homeowner needs before selling.

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Sell your Atlanta home faster, for top dollar, and with less hassle. Schedule a real estate listing consultation now, or simply book a chat.

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Featured Guest:

Alysha Harvey is the founder and CEO of Distinct Tax Consulting Group and a nationally recognized tax strategist, accounting expert, and business consultant. She is the best-selling author of multiple books and the voice behind TaxAdviZHER. Alysha specializes in helping individuals and businesses make smart, tax-savvy decisions and is known for turning complex topics into clear strategies.

Website: https://www.distincttax.com

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/taxadvizher/

Instagram - http://instagram.com/taxadvizher

Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@taxadvizher

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TaxAdvizHER/

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@taxadvizher

In this episode we talk about:

• How capital gains taxes apply to home sales
• What qualifies as a capital improvement, and why receipts matter
• How renting out part of your home affects your tax situation
• The power (and strict rules) of a 1031 exchange

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Selling your home while living in it doesn’t have to be chaotic. In this episode, Judy Jernigan is joined by Karla Giltner of Currie Rose Interiors to explore the emotional and visual impact of occupied home staging. From layout tips to lighting, Karla shares how to make your space feel cohesive, inviting, and market-ready, often using what you already own.

Whether you’re listing soon or months away, this episode is filled with practical tips to help you prepare with less stress and stronger results.

Connect with Judy

Sell your Atlanta home faster, for top dollar, and with less hassle. Schedule a real estate listing consultation now, or simply book a chat.

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• Get Your Home Valuation
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Featured Guest:

Karla Giltner is the owner of Currie Rose Interiors, an Atlanta-based staging and interior design firm known for transforming lived-in homes into spaces buyers connect with emotionally. A master-level accredited home stager with a background in interior architecture, Karla blends design expertise with real-life practicality.

Website: currieroseinteriors.com

Instagram: @currieroseinteriors

In this episode we talk about:

• The art and psychology of occupied home staging
• How to create emotional connection using layout, color, and lighting
• What emotions home buyers should feel when walking through
• Why personal items can block buyer imagination
• Easy updates and furniture placement tips for better flow and photos

Why This Matters for Home Sellers:

First impressions are emotional; and that emotion drives offers. Whether it's clutter, color, or layout, how a home feels can be the deciding factor for buyers. Occupied home staging helps sellers keep daily life intact while maximizing presentation, speeding up the sale, and increasing sale price.

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What do cockroaches, moldy showers, and a mysterious bottle of champagne in the fridge have in common? They’ve all shaped real home buyer reactions during showings. In this episode, Judy sits down with fellow Sage & Grace agent Kristy Kadolph to unpack the surprising—and sometimes cringe-worthy—moments that can make or break a sale. You’ll hear true stories, practical advice, and what home sellers should do to make their homes feel welcoming, show-ready, and impossible to forget for all the right reasons.

Connect with Judy

Sell your Atlanta home faster, for top dollar, and with less hassle. Schedule a real estate listing consultation now, or simply book a chat.

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Featured Guest:

Kristy Kadolph is a Realtor with Sage and Grace Realty Group. With a deep understanding of buyer psychology and years of experience showing homes throughout Atlanta, Kristy knows exactly what makes a home resonate with home buyers - and what turns them off.

More about Kristy: https://sageandgracere.com/agent/kristy-kadolph

Instagram: @kristykadolphrealtor

Email: kristy@clareorealestate.com

In this episode we talk about:

• Why cleanliness matters more than costly upgrades
• How smells, clutter, and lighting affect buyer impressions
• What to remove from your home before a showing
• What home buyers feel when you're still living in the home
• Easy, affordable ways to improve showings

Why This Matters for Home Sellers:

Home Buyers are making emotional decisions fast - and your home’s showing experience can make or break the offer. Whether you’re prepping a vacant property or living in the home during showings, this episode gives you a behind-the-scenes look at how buyers actually think.

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Selling your home takes more than finding a buyer, it takes protecting your sale from hidden risks. In this episode, Judy Jernigan sits down with real estate attorney Kirsten Howard from GSH Attorneys to break down everything homeowners need to know about title insurance. Learn how this often-misunderstood policy protects your home sale, how to avoid closing delays, and what to prepare before listing your home.

Connect with Judy

Sell your Atlanta home faster, for top dollar, and with less hassle. Schedule a real estate listing consultation now, or simply book a chat.

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• Get Your Home Valuation
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• Facebook

Featured Expert:

Kirsten Howard is a partner at Goggins, Stutzman, Hudson, Wilson & Mize (GSH Attorneys) in Atlanta, GA. She specializes in residential real estate transactions and title insurance, helping homeowners, home buyers, and home mortgage lenders navigate closings with confidence.

Website: gshattorneys.com

Email: khoward@gshattorneys.com

Number: (404) 207-1620

Title Insurance Handout (FREE DOWNLOAD): https://tinyurl.com/SGtitleinsurance

In this episode we talk about:

• What title insurance is—and why home sellers and buyers need it
• Common title issues that can delay or derail closings
• How enhanced title policies offer stronger protection
• What documents homeowners should gather before selling
• How title insurance can save a deal if old liens or encroachments are found

Why This Matters for Home Sellers: Title insurance protects you from costly legal issues and makes your property more attractive to cautious home buyers. Understanding it now can prevent last-minute surprises, keep your sale on track, and save you thousands down the road.

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Thinking about making updates before selling your home? Before you pick up a paintbrush or call a contractor, hear from two of Atlanta’s most respected design and renovation professionals - Chris McKinley of BSPK Home and Jeffrey Bruce Baker of Jeffrey Bruce Baker Designs - to reveal what really makes a home more appealing (and valuable) to homebuyers. Their expert insights will help you avoid costly missteps and invest in changes that pay off.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

Discover what architectural and design elements truly boost your home's appeal and value, and learn practical tips to ensure a strong return on investment from your home improvements.

Connect with Judy

Sell your Atlanta home faster, for top dollar, and with less hassle. Schedule a real estate listing consultation now, or simply book a chat.

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Featured Experts: Chris McKinley, owner of BSPK Home, a premier Atlanta home builder and renovator known for exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail.

Instagram | Website

Jeffrey Bruce Baker, founder of Jeffrey Bruce Baker Designs, an esteemed architect and interior designer renowned for creating timeless, impactful spaces.

Instagram | Website

In this episode we talk about:

• Architect and designer tips for home renovations with strong ROI
• Common renovation mistakes and how to avoid them
• Strategic home updates that impress buyers
• How curb appeal and quality craftsmanship directly influence resale
• The role of personalized yet market-friendly design choices

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Home sellers aiming for top dollar need more than just a "For Sale" sign; they need a comprehensive marketing strategy. In this episode, Judy Jernigan sits down with Casey McClintic of Urban Marketing Edge to unpack the secrets of effective real estate marketing, including professional photography, videography, social media strategies, and targeted advertising that attracts the right buyers faster. Learn how to ensure your home stands out in Atlanta’s competitive real estate market and why choosing the right real estate agent makes all the difference, and ways to help you do just that.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Discover expert marketing tactics to showcase your home, attract ideal buyers, and achieve a quicker sale at top value.

Connect with Judy

Sell your Atlanta home faster, for top dollar, and with less hassle. Schedule a real estate listing consultation now, or simply book a chat.

• Website
• Get Your Home Valuation
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Facebook

Featured Guest:

Casey McClintic, Owner of Urban Marketing Edge, specializes in high-impact real estate marketing. Casey provides innovative strategies to maximize home visibility and appeal, ensuring homeowners get optimal exposure to motivated buyers.

• Website: UrbanMarketingEdge.com
• Contact: 614-725-9441

In this episode we talk about:

• How a complete marketing "symphony" sells homes faster
• Essential elements of professional photography and videography
• Why organic and paid social media strategies are critical
• The power of email newsletters in expanding your home’s reach
• Common real estate marketing mistakes and how to avoid them
• Why your realtor's online presence can make or break your listing

Subscribe to the show so you never miss an episode. Listen on:

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Leave a 5-star review - your support helps more Atlanta homeowners find expert guidance.