The Sale: No basement, but renovations stand out

Why they sold: The couple, who lived in the home for eight years, moved back to Houston. "We had done actually quite a few renovations to our house. The biggest concern was how much money am I going to lose?" Lisa said.

Time on market: 43 days

Original price: $475,000

Sale price: $460,000

What it took: Playing up the remodeling. "I think what really helped it sell were all the renovations. In a 15-year-old home, people don't want to come in and redo kitchens and bathrooms and flooring," Lisa said. Their real estate agent, Julie Porter with Solid Source Realty, emphasized the changes in the write-up about the home in the listing and the professional photos. The updates included improved landscaping, new carpet and hardwood floors, and new stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and tumbled marble backsplash in the kitchen. They also added granite countertops in the bathrooms. "It was on the market for a little bit more than we paid for it. We pretty much lost all of the renovation money that we put in," Lisa said. "But we knew that going into it."

The couple ended up receiving four offers, but three of them were too low, such as $425,000, to show a serious interest in the home, Lisa said. They closed on the home in July.

Potential stumbling block: The home was about 3,600 square feet, but lacked a basement, which is a desirable feature among suburban buyers. The home's location also was a factor, since it was not in the Walton High School district (the home is in the Pope High School district). "If my house had been in the Walton district, we probably wouldn't have lost a dollar and it would have sold within a week," Lisa said.

Seller's hint: If you have made renovations, compare your home and its updates to other houses on the market in setting the price. "If not, you're not going to be able to sell quickly or at all," Lisa said.