Names: Ernest and Millie Marchetti
The home: A four-bedroom, three-bath, split-level home built in 1979
Where: Marietta's Holly Springs Crossing neighborhood
Why they sold: Ernest and Millie got married seven years ago but retained their separate homes for convenience. They wanted Millie's kids to stay in the same schools and didn't want to sell Ernest's home until the housing market improved and values bounced back. They decided in 2015 to live under one roof with their two daughters and sold Ernest's home. Since Millie was renting, they decided to buy a home in the same Cobb County school district with space for all four of them and a home office for Millie.
Time on market: 3 days
Original price: $239,900
Sale price: $255,000
What it took
The home’s design appealed to contemporary fans, with a soaring beamed ceiling in the living room. It also had extra space in a bonus room, a separate dining room, breakfast area, back deck and porch, as well as a two-car, side-entry garage.
A home stager who worked with their agent, Jim Martell of MartellSells.com, suggested that they pressure wash and paint the exterior to enhance curb appeal, replace carpet and certain light fixtures, and offered tips for decluttering the interior. The Marchettis listened to those suggestions and acted on them, in addition to painting nearly every wall. Ernest hired movers who helped them take away large pieces of furniture.
“We made sure it was clean and neat,” said Ernest. “We saw some houses where all of the furniture was staged, but we just used mine.”
Martell held an open house the first Sunday the home was on the market, and by that evening, they had received two offers. One buyer offered $255,000 — $16,000 above the asking price — and Ernest accepted that contract. The house was under contract that Tuesday and closed in July 2015.
“I think it was providential that we got a couple in there that was very motivated and offered more than what we were asking,” said Ernest.
Potential stumbling block
Millie and her daughters moved out of their rental home into Ernest’s house at the same time he was trying to pack it up and sell the house. The couple’s consolidation into one house slowed down the moving process and made it difficult to clear and prepare the home to sell.
“It was a nightmare,” said Ernest. “We not only had to get my house cleaned and packed up and ready, but she moved her house into my house.”
Seller’s hint
Make sure to leave the home in a condition that is going to be comfortable and cozy for the buyers. They fixed appliances and other cosmetic details for the new owners. “It wasn’t perfect by any means, but when we moved out of our house, we felt as though we were turning over a good home to a young couple,” said Ernest.
