A real estate agent’s responsibility extends beyond placing a property online and waiting for buyers to respond. The agent must help sellers understand what today’s buyers want—and increasingly, buyers want a move-in ready home.
On the Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered real estate podcast, James Dwiggins spoke with Austin Lane, CEO of Notable, about preparing homes before they enter the market. One statistic stood out: nine out of ten home buyers want a move-in ready property.
Buyers Often Struggle to See Potential
A professional with experience in the real estate industry may walk into a dated property and immediately envision new windows, updated flooring, fresh paint, or improved landscaping. Many buyers cannot see beyond the current condition. An unstaged home can feel cold, appear smaller, and make buyers focus on the work required instead of the home’s possibilities. That reaction can affect interest, offers, and the time a property remains among available real estate listings.
According to the conversation, homes improved before sale can sell approximately 30% faster and for about 9% more. While results can vary, those figures give a real estate broker or agent an important reason to discuss preparation with every seller.
Preparation Does Not Require a Major Renovation
Preparing a home does not necessarily mean completing an expensive remodel. Austin explained that practical improvements often make the greatest difference, including:
- Replacing scratched flooring
- Refreshing outdated or marked paint
- Improving landscaping
- Addressing obvious cosmetic concerns
- Staging rooms so buyers can understand the space
The agent’s role is not to impose personal preferences. Instead, the agent should offer an objective perspective based on current real estate trends, buyer expectations, and the local real estate market.
The same principle applies whether the property is real estate for sale at $400,000 or several million dollars. Sellers at different price points may benefit from making targeted improvements before listing.
Financing Can Remove a Major Barrier
Some sellers avoid necessary improvements because they do not want to provide cash upfront. Notable’s product allows eligible sellers to defer improvement costs until the home closes.
Austin described the approximate cost as 1% per month, charged only on the money used and the amount of time it remains outstanding. This type of real estate financing may provide convenience for sellers who have equity but do not want to liquidate investments or locate cash for repairs.
A real estate brokerage can use options like this to provide additional value. The agent should not assume every seller wants financing, but the agent should explain the opportunity clearly and allow the seller to make the final decision.
Service and Culture Still Matter
The conversation also covered real estate technology, artificial intelligence, and the future of the real estate industry. Technology may automate repetitive tasks, but trust, communication, and personal care remain essential.
Professionals may use real estate blogs, real estate books, real estate courses, real estate podcasts, and real estate events investing content to improve their knowledge of real estate prices, real estate taxes, real estate laws, real estate investing, investing in real estate, and real estate investing for beginners.
However, knowledge only creates value when it is applied. Whether an agent represents NextHome, a NextHome real estate franchise, an independent real estate franchise, or another real estate company, the agent should discuss preparation before the property reaches the market.
Skipping that conversation may mean skipping an opportunity to help a seller achieve a faster sale and stronger result.
