The Sale
Name: Rod and Meagan Gonzalez
The home: A four-bedroom, three-and-a-half bath cabin on a lake.
Where: McCaysville, in Fannin County
Why they sold: The couple built the vacation home in 2006 and thought it would become their retirement home. “I just built it 30 years too soon,” said Rod, who works in finance for AT&T. They had it on a rental program to make money on the home when they weren’t using it, competing for vacationers in north Georgia. Marissa, 12, and 6-year-old twins, Parker and Isabel, were on the second floor, and the master on the main provided privacy for the parents. Downstairs, the finished basement had a bedroom and “one giant open area for the kids go to crazy and run” with a TV, air hockey, darts and foosball table, Rod said.
Time on market: 220 days
Original price: $379,000
Sale price: $229,000
What it took: People finally started showing interest when Rod said he let go of his ego and dropped the asking price to $300,000. Rod also reluctantly improved the curb appeal by cutting back the trees that covered the driveway. “In my opinion, it was shaded and private and looked cute, the way it was hidden,” he said. “Taking everything back just made the house shine. You turned and there was this majestic house on the top of a hill.” All the feedback was positive, but there weren’t any legitimate offers. His agent, Scott Smith Sr. with Keller Williams Realty First Atlanta, touched base with the last few folks who had viewed the home and found a potential buyer. The buyer was willing to pay for most of it in cash, but Rod had to be willing to slash the price even lower. The home sold in January.
Potential stumbling block: There was confusion in the contract, according to notes written by the seller’s agent, over what furnishings were staying, but they worked it out. Rod kept personal items such as a table that had belonged to his wife’s great grandparents.
Seller’s hint: While trying to sell a vacation home, rent it. “I got offers that were ridiculous, in the $100,000s. While I was renting, I was making my mortgage payment and I didn’t have to take (those offers).”
