Selling your home in Marietta as an empty nester—what should you know?

Selling your home in Marietta as an empty nester involves more than just listing the property. You'll want to price it competitively based on the current market, maximize its appeal to potential buyers, and work with an experienced local agent like Marna Friedman who understands the unique challenges empty nesters face. When you partner with Marna, you gain a trusted advisor who specializes in helping homeowners transition to the next chapter of their lives.

The Decision to Downsize: Why Now Is a Good Time to Sell in Marietta

If you're an empty nester in Marietta, you're not alone in considering a move. The real estate market in 2026 is showing strong momentum for sellers. Homes in Marietta are selling in approximately 37 days on average, and the median sale price recently reached $441,000—up 0.9% from the previous year. This represents a stable, slightly appreciating market that favors well-prepared sellers.

Downsizing isn't just a financial decision. For many empty nesters, it's about reclaiming freedom. No more maintaining that large yard. No more worrying about the roof or extensive repairs. Marna Friedman understands these motivations deeply. As a downsizing specialist and active lifestyle expert, she guides clients through the emotional and practical aspects of selling and moving to a home that truly fits your life today.

Understanding the Marietta Real Estate Market in 2026

Selling in Marietta means understanding the local market landscape. Here's what the data shows:

• Average Days on Market: 37 days—meaning homes move quickly when properly positioned
• Median Sale Price: $441,000, indicating a diverse range of properties and buyers
• Market Competition: Homes in Marietta receive approximately 2 offers on average, showing healthy buyer interest

Marna Friedman leverages this market data in every home sale. She doesn't just list properties—she strategically positions them to attract the right buyers quickly. Her knowledge of Cobb County trends and specific Marietta neighborhoods means your home gets maximum exposure to motivated buyers.

One key insight: 51% of homes in Marietta sold below asking price in recent months. This isn't necessarily a sign of a weak market. Rather, it reflects realistic pricing and strategic negotiation. Working with Marna ensures your home is priced to sell without leaving money on the table.

Step 1: Prepare Your Home for Sale

Before listing, your home needs to shine. This is where Marna's background as a Certified Stager and former professional organizer sets her apart.

Decluttering and Organization

After decades in your home, you've accumulated memories—and stuff. Buyers can't envision themselves in a space filled with your personal items. Marna helps you strategically declutter, staging rooms to highlight your home's best features. This process isn't about emptying your house—it's about creating a blank canvas that buyers can imagine as their future home.

Curb Appeal and First Impressions

Your home's exterior is the first thing buyers see. Ensure landscaping is maintained, the front entrance is welcoming, and any visible repairs are addressed. For Marietta homes, this might mean pressure-washing the driveway, refreshing mulch beds, or painting the front door. These touches cost little but yield significant returns in buyer perception and offer quality.

Step 2: Price Your Home Strategically

Pricing is perhaps the most critical decision in selling your home. Too high, and you sit on the market. Too low, and you lose equity. Marna conducts a comprehensive market analysis (CMA) using recent comparable sales in Marietta to determine the optimal listing price.

For a 3-bedroom, 2-bath home in Marietta, the median price per square foot recently hovered around $195–$213. This metric helps establish realistic pricing for your specific property. Marna factors in:

• Home condition and age
• Neighborhood and school district
• Recent renovations or updates
• Days on market and buyer activity

A competitive price in a balanced market attracts serious buyers and generates momentum. Marna's pricing strategy ensures your home moves quickly while maximizing your proceeds.

Step 3: Market Your Home Effectively

In today's real estate landscape, effective marketing is essential. Marna uses a multi-channel approach that combines traditional and digital strategies:

Online Presence and Syndication

Your listing goes far beyond the MLS. Marna ensures your home appears on Zillow, Redfin, Trulia, and other major platforms. Professional photography and virtual tours allow out-of-area buyers and relocating households to explore your home anytime.

Social Media and Local Outreach

With her experience in real estate, Marna leverages social media to showcase your property to her network and beyond. Local Marietta connections often hear about homes before they hit broader platforms. This targeted approach finds qualified buyers faster.

Step 4: Navigate Offers and Negotiations

When offers arrive, the real work begins. Marna reviews each offer with a critical eye, considering not just price but also terms, financing, contingencies, and timeline. A lower offer from a well-qualified buyer might be preferable to a higher offer from someone with financing complications.

In the current Marietta market, negotiation trends favor sellers with well-prepared homes. Homes that are competitively priced, beautifully presented, and move-in ready attract better offers and close faster. Marna's negotiation experience ensures you're protected and positioned to accept the best deal.

Step 5: Plan Your Next Chapter

Selling your home is just the first part of downsizing. Where will you move next? Are you considering a 55+ active adult community? A luxury downsized home? New construction? Marna's expertise spans all these areas. As a Certified New Home Specialist and luxury market authority, she can guide you toward the right next home to match your lifestyle and budget. Whether you're staying in Cobb County or considering a move to Forsyth or Cherokee County, Marna has connections and knowledge to help you thrive in your next location.

Why Work with Marna Friedman?

Selling a home is deeply personal. You need an agent who understands the emotional stakes and brings professional expertise. Here's what Marna brings to the table:

• Downsizing Specialist: She's worked with hundreds of empty nesters, understanding exactly what you're going through
• Local Market Expert: 10+ years in NW Metro Atlanta gives her unmatched knowledge of Marietta's neighborhoods, trends, and buyer preferences
• Certified Stager and Former Professional Organizer: She helps you prepare your home to shine, maximizing buyer interest
• Multi-Specialty Expertise: Certified New Home Specialist, luxury market authority, and active lifestyle expert—she understands all segments of the market
• Client-First Approach: Marna believes her job is service, not just sales. Testimonials consistently highlight her responsiveness, attention to detail, and dedication to getting the right result

Common Questions Empty Nesters Ask

How long will it take to sell my home in Marietta?

With an average of 37 days on market, well-priced homes in good condition typically sell quickly. However, homes priced too high or requiring repairs may linger. Marna's strategy ensures your home hits the market at the right price, ready for buyers.

Will I have to renovate before selling?

Not necessarily—but addressing obvious issues helps. Major structural or functional problems should be fixed. Minor cosmetic updates (paint, landscaping, decluttering) often yield strong ROI. Marna helps you prioritize repairs that matter to buyers.

What if I'm emotionally attached to my home?

This is completely normal. Marna brings empathy and experience. She's guided clients through this transition successfully, helping them focus on the exciting next chapter ahead. Your home has been a wonderful place to live — and it's time to pass that gift to another household while you explore new possibilities.

The Bottom Line

Selling your home in Marietta as an empty nester doesn't have to be stressful. The 2026 Marietta market presents a solid opportunity for sellers. With the right preparation, strategic pricing, effective marketing, and an expert agent in your corner, you can sell confidently and move forward to the lifestyle you've always wanted.

Marna Friedman is that agent. She knows Marietta. She understands downsizing. She's helped clients navigate this transition with professionalism and care. Whether you're ready to list today or exploring your options, Marna is here to help.

Ready to Start Your Downsizing Journey?

Don't navigate this transition alone. Contact Marna Friedman today for a personalized consultation and free home market analysis. Marna will help you understand what your home is worth in today's market and create a strategic plan to sell quickly and for top dollar.

Marna Friedman, Realtor
Atlanta Communities Real Estate Brokerage
3405 Dallas Highway, Suite 100
Marietta, GA 30064
Phone: 770.240.2004
Cell: 678.920.3099
Email: [email protected]