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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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 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.

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

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.