THE SALE
Name: Tim and Kelli Carlson
The home: A four-bedroom, three-bath home built in 1945.
Where: North Buckhead
Why they sold: The couple, who have two children, 5-year-old Caleb, and 1-year-old Chloe, outgrew the ranch-style home, Tim said. They needed a floor plan that offered more separation of rooms and yard space. "Even though we knew we had to leave, we loved the area, we loved the neighbors, we just loved the community itself," said Tim, 37, who works in health care software sales and is part-owner of the Fur Bus, a party bus in Atlanta. They bought a home in Marietta's Atlanta Country Club in 2010 and tried to sell the home then at a higher price, but had no offers. They put the home back on the market in spring 2011 and closed on the home in July.
Time on market: 58 days
Original price: $425,000
Sale price: $412,500
What it took: The Carlsons, who owned the home for seven years, spent about $70,000 to add a master suite and fourth bedroom and bathroom upstairs, and to expand and upgrade the kitchen with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. Other changes included replacing windows, repainting rooms, removing clutter and re-landscaping the yard.
Potential stumbling block: Selling a home with renters. It took strong communication to notify the renters (friends with children and a house under construction) of showings and to keep the house clutter-free when potential buyers visited.
Seller's hint: Interview real estate agents. They selected Laura Dew with Keller Williams First Atlanta because she knew the local area, had the research to show sale prices, and was honest with them about the market's performance and the best starting price, Tim said. "Understand that if you don't sell your house, or if you are in a bind, what is your financial and personal risk and how long can you live with it?" he said.
