Case Study: How We Sold Our Listing 3X faster, 101% of List Price

When a home sells 3 times faster than the neighborhood average for 101% of its list price, it’s not luck. It’s strategy. At Judy’s latest Sage and Grace listing, the results spoke loudly: five offers in the first week, more than twenty open house visitors, and a final price above asking in a community where the average sale was taking nearly three times longer and earning only 97% of list price.This case study breaks down how Judy Jernigan’s strategic preparation and best-in-class marketing turned a well-loved family home into one of the strongest sales in the neighborhood.

Some listings quietly enter the market; others create undeniable momentum. This home was the latter. From the moment preparation began, every decision was intentional, designed to reduce stress for the sellers, elevate the home’s presentation, and build strong demand from day one. The outcome was a fast, high-confidence sale at 101% of the list price, under contract in the first week, and triple the speed of home sales in the same area.

The Strategy: Thoughtful Preparation Over Rushing to Market

The sellers had clear goals: move quickly, minimize stress, and maximize their equity. Instead of rushing to list immediately, Judy guided them through a focused preparation period to ensure the home launched at its absolute best.

Marketing is not advertising. Marketing is preparation.

Together with the homeowners, Judy coordinated things like light repairs, fresh paint, carpet stretching, professional cleaning, and HVAC servicing. The sellers pre-packed and depersonalized so the home felt spacious, calm, and move-in ready. Then, once the home was photo-ready, Judy oversaw high-quality photography, videography, and aerial imagery designed to show off the lifestyle and layout local buyers are actively searching for.

Today’s buyers also want transparency and storytelling... so Judy created a comprehensive updates and maintenance list plus a “Why We Loved Living Here” story, giving home buyers the emotional and practical details they need to feel confident and connected.

This approach aligns with the guidance Judy shares in these popular podcast episodes:
• What Every Seller Should Know About Photos and Videos
• Home Sellers’ FAQ To Agents: What To Know Before Listing
• Smart Prep = Big Payoff: Seller Case Study

Launch Week: Excitement That Moved Buyers Off the Fence

By launch weekend, the preparation was already paying off. The open house brought more than twenty people through the door. The sellers’ video doorbell couldn’t keep up.

As Judy's seller client later joked, “Even my neighbors were texting me. They’re like, what’s going on at your house? There’s a party going on.”

And it was… Judy’s mega open house.

One buyer made a verbal offer on the spot. Another submitted a written offer within a day. Within the week, Judy was reviewing the pros and cons of 5 offers with her listing clients.

There is a misconception that open houses don’t sell homes.
Judy’s open houses do.

Contract Strategy: Protecting the Sellers Every Step of the Way

Judy’s seller clients accepted an exceptionally strong offer with waived appraisal and financing contingencies. But by the next morning, those home buyers got cold feet - a common outcome when competition is high.

Judy has seen this before so she did not sit back and relax when the home was initially under contract and she was careful not to burn any bridges. She had already negotiated and secured a fully signed backup contract with other homebuyers. 

Her sellers never had to put the home back on the market, lose momentum, or explain a termination! Judy and her seller clients seamlessly and quickly pivoted to the next buyer - who ultimately turned out to be the perfect match.

Inspection and Negotiation: Calm, Fair, and Highly Strategic

The inspection revealed only a few items thanks to Judy and the sellers’ thoughtful preparation. When one contractor provided an inflated repair quote, Judy immediately sourced another that was far more appropriate, keeping costs and concessions low for her sellers while preserving goodwill with the buyers and keeping the closing on track.

Negotiations remained calm, respectful, and solution-oriented — a hallmark of Judy’s approach and one reason both sides left the closing table smiling.

A Matchmaking Success Story

A week before closing, the sellers were so delighted with their experience and told Judy, “Everything’s coming together so fast.”
And it had.

This family was referred to Judy by past clients Judy had helped buy and sell homes earlier in the year … and now these clients have also referred additional friends and neighbors. When people experience sage advice and gracious service, they share it. Who do you know needing a real estate ally?  

Home buyer and seller goodwill was so strong they coordinated Christmas decorations and even worked out furniture arrangements. The sellers closed on their new home the very next day - a seamless transition thanks to Judy’s business acumen and personalized strategy. 

Real estate is more than a transaction. It is matchmaking: the right home, the right buyer, the right timing, the right strategy.

The Results

• Sold in one week
• 101% of list price
• 3x faster than the neighborhood average
• 5 offers in the first week
• Seamless backup-plan execution (no loss of momentum when the first buyer backed out)
• Smooth inspection and low-cost resolution
• High goodwill between both parties at closing

When thoughtful preparation meets intentional strategy, success follows.

Who do you know who would benefit from this level of care and expertise?

If you’re planning a move, want to protect your equity, or want to understand what smart preparation could do for your sale, Judy is here to help you move forward with sage advice and grace. Schedule a consultation: https://calendly.com/judyjernigan