You may be photo-ready, but is your home photo-ready? In this episode, Judy Jernigan is joined by Casey McClintic, founder of Urban Marketing Edge, to explore why careful, well-prepared photography and video are critical to selling your home faster and for more money.

From lighting tips to the four-item rule, Casey shares practical, behind-the-lens advice to help home sellers create an emotional connection with home buyers and avoid costly mistakes. Whether you’re listing soon or prepping for the future, this episode is your home’s marketing preparations masterclass.

Connect with Judy Jernigan

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

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

Featured Guests:

Casey McClintic is a professional real estate photographer and marketer and the founder of Urban Marketing Edge, a full-service marketing company serving Atlanta’s top real estate professionals. With years of experience crafting impactful visual stories, Casey helps home sellers and your agent maximize market exposure through scroll-stopping imagery and strategic video.

Website: urbanmarketingedge.com

Instagram: @caseymclintic

In this episode you’ll learn about:

• The 3-10 second scroll rule, and how to win the click
• Lighting, decluttering, and the “four-item rule” for last minute adjustments
• How unprofessional photos can reduce offers or increase days on market, even future value
• What to do tonight to prep for a photoshoot

Why This Matters for Home Sellers:

First impressions happen online. In a world where home buyers scroll listings in seconds, your photos are either drawing them in, or sending them away. This episode gives home sellers the insights and checklist they need to make sure their property for sale is putting its best foot forward and attracting serious home buyers quickly.

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

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• Youtube

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

Clarification on 3-2-1 Buydowns

A standard 3-2-1 buydown always follows the same structure:

Year 1: Interest rate is reduced by 3% from the note rate

Year 2: Reduced by 2%

Year 3: Reduced by 1%

Year 4 onward: Returns to the full note rate

The percentages themselves don’t vary — that’s why it’s called a 3-2-1. What does vary is the cost of the buydown, which depends on the loan amount, current market rates, and the buyer’s qualifications. It’s an excellent tool for helping buyers ease into payments, with the flexibility to refinance if rates drop before the buydown period ends.

___

Brookhaven and the greater Atlanta, Georgia area is booming with new development - and smart home sellers know how to leverage it. Two experts in this episode join host Judy Jernigan to share key insights that affect home values in Atlanta's hottest neighborhoods and all areas seeing growth. Which, let's face it, is just about everywhere.

Judy interviews Geoff Smith, local mortgage advisor and economic development pro, to discuss how new development, walkability, and major commercial investments are reshaping local landscapes in Brookhaven, in Atlanta, and beyond. Plus, home loan lender Martene Nadeau breaks down how temporary interest rate buydowns are helping home sellers attract more homebuyers and create stronger home sales contracts.

Connect with Judy Jernigan

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

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

Featured Guests:

Geoff Smith is an experienced mortgage advisor who understands the connection between neighborhood growth and home values. He is a Branch Manager and Senior Loan Officer in the Roswell, Georgia Branch of Assurance Financial servicing all of North Metro Atlanta.

Martene Nadeau is a mortgage loan officer known for her client-first approach. Martene helps both home buyers and home sellers navigate changing interest rates through tools like temporary buydowns and seller-paid incentives that create win-win outcomes.

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

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• Youtube

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

Vacant and empty homes can be hard to sell unless you know how to make them shine. In this episode of How to Sell Your Atlanta Home with Sage and Grace, Judy is joined by staging expert Krisztina Bell, founder of No Vacancy Home Staging. Judy and Krisztina talk strategy for both luxury and everyday listings, share budget-friendly updates that make a big difference, and cover what staging teams really do behind the scenes. If you’re selling an empty home, this episode is packed with smart advice to help you work with a Realtor - connect with host Judy Jernigan today about your next move.

Connect with Judy Jernigan

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

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

Featured Guest: Krisztina Bell is the founder of No Vacancy Home Staging, one of Atlanta’s leading staging companies for vacant homes. With 20+ years in the business and an art and design background, Krisztina and her team have helped transform thousands of listings into homes buyers fall in love with. Her work has been featured on HGTV, in The New York Times, and in Realtor Magazine. She also educates real estate agents and homeowners through her continuing education classes and industry talks.

Website: https://novacancy-atl.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/krisztinabell/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@krisztinabell

In this episode you’ll learn about about:

• Why vacant homes need staging to avoid feeling cold or confusing
• Budget-friendly updates sellers can make for a big return (paint, hardware, fixtures)
• Why lighter colors, warm lighting, and defined zones matter
• How staging can improve appraisal value and increase price per square foot

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

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• Youtube

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

Selling a home is not just emotional, logistical, and financial, it is also a legal transaction with serious implications if not handled correctly. In this episode, Judy Jernigan is joined by real estate attorney and president of Ganek law firm, Mark Seib, to break down what Atlanta homeowners need to know to avoid legal mistakes that can delay - or even derail, their home sale.

From required disclosures to title issues and inspection negotiations, this episode helps you protect your deal and your equity.

Connect with Judy Jernigan

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:

Mark Seib is President of Ganek, a real estate law firm serving Georgia since 1978. Mark has decades of experience guiding home buyers, sellers, builders, and developers through residential and commercial closings. He also teaches CE courses to agents and serves on the board of Georgia’s Real Estate Closing Attorneys Association.

Website: ganekpc.com

In this episode you’ll learn about about:

• What home sellers are legally required to disclose in Georgia
• The most common legal mistakes that delay closings
• Why disorganized paperwork can derail your deal
• Tips to handle repairs during the due diligence period
• What counts as a “latent defect” and why it matters
• Tips for home sellers to properly fill out the Seller’s Disclosure form
• How title issues are discovered and cleared
• How tax proration and title insurance protect both parties
• What happens if a seller wants to back out of the deal

Why This Matters for Home Sellers:

Legal issues are one of the most common deal-killers in real estate. Failing to disclose properly, ignoring title red flags, or miscommunicating what stays with the home can delay closing or spark lawsuits. Understanding what’s required - and where you have room to negotiate - helps you work with your REALTOR, sell confidently, avoid stress, and stay in control.

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

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• Youtube

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

Use the promo code: SAGE15 on servescape.com to get 15% off or click this link: https://servescape.com/discount/Sage15 🌿

First impressions matter more than most home sellers realize. In this episode, Judy Jernigan is joined by licensed landscape architect and ServScape founder Mario Cambardella to explore the psychology and strategy behind curb appeal. From simple fixes to full landscape redesigns, you’ll learn how to create a welcoming exterior that makes home buyers form a bond, before they ever step inside.

When thinking about selling a property in the next few months or even years down the line, this episode gives you the tools to start planning now.

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:

Mario Cambardella is the founder and CEO of ServeScape, Atlanta’s first online landscape marketplace. A licensed landscape architect, entrepreneur, and former Director of Urban Agriculture for the City of Atlanta, Mario helps homeowners elevate curb appeal with thoughtfully designed, locally sourced landscapes.

Website: servescape.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/servescape/

In this episode we talk about:

• The emotional and psychological power of curb appeal
• Common landscaping mistakes that hurt first impressions
• Why planning ahead makes a difference in resale value
• Quick curb appeal upgrades when you're short on time
• How to match plants and layout to your home’s architecture

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

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• Youtube

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

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.

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:

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.

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

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• Youtube

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

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.

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:

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.

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

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• Youtube

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

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.

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:

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

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

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• Youtube

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