Case Study: How Strategic Negotiation Helped Our Brookhaven Home Buyers Secure the Perfect Home at 92 percent of the Original List Price
Some moves are driven by timing and logistics. Others are driven by heart, lifestyle, and the desire to build a future close to the people who matter most. This Brookhaven home purchase blended both. It became a powerful example of what thoughtful strategy, negotiation, and local expertise can deliver for home buyers who want the right home at the right value.
At 4098 Nancy Creek Way, Judy Jernigan’s home-buyer-clients closed on a home that checked every box for their growing family. It also became one of Judy’s standout success stories because of how intentional the search was and how favorable the negotiated terms ended up being for her clients.
How Judy and the Home Buyers Connected
These clients first met Judy at an open house in Brookhaven. They were visiting from out of state, narrowing down neighborhoods, and trying to get a feel for what life in Atlanta could look like. Judy listened carefully that day. When she realized another home with an open house she was hosting the next afternoon sounded like a good match, she immediately encouraged them to attend.
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They did. The conversation continued. Soon after, they interviewed several agents, but Judy’s video consultation set her apart. She walked them through what a great home buying experience looks like, how her clients consistently get strong values, the strategies that are working in the Atlanta market, and the importance of aligning the search with their lifestyle, timing, and long-term goals.
That clarity built trust. They chose Judy.
Understanding What Mattered Most
The clients wanted to be in Brookhaven near family who lives close to the Perimeter area. They wanted convenient access to the airport, proximity to everything Atlanta offers, weekend-friendly outdoor options, and good schools. They hike often, so the Murphy Candler Park trails became a big selling point. They also wanted a fenced yard for their dog, Poppy, quiet streets, and a true neighborhood feel.
Judy built the search around these priorities. Because they were still living out of state, she blended in-person tours with detailed video walkthroughs. Her twenty year media background with local TV stations makes her video tours unusually thorough, giving relocating buyers the depth and confidence they need to make smart decisions.
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She also involved the buyers’ parents, meeting them at showings to give them the opportunity to see homes firsthand and weigh in. It added comfort and clarity for everyone.
The First Home They Tried to Buy - and Walked Away
The first home they really liked had character like arched doorways and built in cabinetry, a fenced yard, a sunroom, and a nature trail behind the property. It was cute and interesting, but the floor plan was a little quirky. It had just been listed a few days and those sellers were not yet willing to negotiate, even though Judy and the buyers knew the list price was high for the condition and layout (and ancient HVAC.)
Judy’s clients made an offer. They negotiated through several rounds but just weren’t able to get the sellers where the buyers knew the value made sense.
That home is still sitting on the market at the time of this writing and has since had numerous price reductions, and is now listed 12k lower than Judy’s client's offered. Walking away was the right call!
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The Home That Was Truly the Perfect Fit
Meanwhile, the home on Nancy Creek Way kept calling to them. It offered everything they wanted. A huge fenced backyard with a koi pond. A large outdoor kitchen with built-in grill and refrigerator. A spacious deck. A grassy area plus a wooded area. A traditional floor plan with lots of natural light. Room to grow for their expanding family. Space for Poppy, the puppy. Peaceful streets right by Murphy Candler Park.
The home had been listed for 134 days. Judy recognized an opportunity.
She negotiated a purchase price at 92% of the original list price - even while the neighborhood’s other home sales were averaging 98% - securing a meaningful amount of instant equity for her clients. During additional negotiations after the inspections, she secured another $9,000 in closing cost contributions from the seller to her clients along with the important repairs that mattered most to her buyers.
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Even the buyers’ parents commented that they could not believe how strong Judy's negotiation outcome was. Judy protected her client's investment at every step.
Strategic Use of the Georgia Due Diligence Period
The buyers saw two detailed video tours of the home before making their offer. Their parents viewed the home in person. Once under contract, the buyers flew into town for the inspection to see everything with their own eyes.
Georgia’s due diligence period is powerful for buyers. Judy leveraged it fully to help them move forward with confidence.
Bringing in Contractors and Specialists Immediately
During the inspection, the inspector flagged a concern. Within minutes, Judy contacted one of her vetted local specialists. That specialist arrived before the inspection was even finished and provided expert guidance on the spot.
This is the difference a connected local agent makes. Judy continued bringing in additional vetted contractors after the inspection to give cost estimates and clarity around every remaining question. These resources helped the buyers make decisions with a full understanding of condition, costs, and next steps.
Many first time home buyers do not realize that most agents do not provide this level of support. Judy does because it is the right way to help clients protect their equity and achieve the outcome they want.
Uncovering the Story Behind the Local School
Judy goes above and beyond to get answers to clients’ questions. For example, this home sits near Cary Reynolds Elementary in Brookhaven, and the buyers wanted to know the story behind the school. Judy walked over to the campus, asked questions, and learned that the building is currently used to serve Doraville students temporarily while a new school is being built on Dresden Drive. DeKalb County uses this building for various educational needs over the years. It gave her clients a clear and accurate understanding of the school’s role in the community.
Smooth Closing Experience
Judy arranged a remote closing by mail with a notary since the buyers were moving to Brookhaven from out of state and would still be out of state on closing day. They were in town during the inspection period, but everything else was handled efficiently and thoughtfully by the Sage and Grace team so our clients could focus on moving and preparing for their new chapter.
Their lender even issued an appraisal waiver, a strong sign that the home’s value was solid and the loan posed low risk.
Why This Home Was the Right Choice
This home aligned with every part of their lifestyle. They can walk the Murphy Candler Park trails, enjoy playgrounds and green spaces, take advantage of the pools and ball fields, spend time outdoors year round, and grow into a home with abundant space, storage, and comfort. The quiet street and friendly neighborhood provide community and stability. Their baby girl arriving soon will grow up exploring the lake, the parks, and the trails steps from their door.
They trusted Judy. She delivered.
Who Do You Know Who Needs an Advocate Like This?
This success story is about more than a home. It is about strategy, negotiation, education, and guidance. It is about protecting a family’s long term equity while making an out of state move feel steady and confident.
If you know someone who is relocating to Atlanta, looking for a home with more space in Brookhaven, or wanting a trusted advisor to help them move forward, Judy would love to support them.
Helping clients move forward with sage advice and grace is what she and the Sage And Grace Realty Group team does every day.
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