Nine out of ten homebuyers want a move-in-ready home. So why are so many sellers still putting properties on the market without making the improvements that buyers are looking for? In this episode of Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered, James Dwiggins sits down with Austin Lane, CEO of Notable, to discuss one of the biggest missed opportunities in residential real estate: helping sellers prepare their homes before they ever hit the MLS. Austin explains why relatively small investments in paint, flooring, landscaping, staging, and cosmetic updates can significantly improve a home's appeal, helping properties sell faster while often producing a much stronger financial outcome for the seller. The conversation also explores why financing these improvements has become easier than many agents realize and why pre-listing preparation should be part of every listing consultation. The discussion also covers: Why 9 out of 10 buyers prefer move-in-ready homes The biggest pre-listing mistakes sellers make How home preparation affects time on market Why staging still matters How agents can better communicate value If you're an agent looking to create more value for your clients or a homeowner preparing to sell. This episode provides practical strategies that can lead to stronger offers, faster sales, and better overall outcomes. Connect with Austin on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/austinlane/ Learn more about Notable on LinkedIn and online at notablehome.com. https://www.linkedin.com/company/notablehome https://notablehome.com/ Subscribe to Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@RealEstateInsidersUnfiltered?sub_confirmation=1 To learn more about becoming a sponsor of the show send us an email: jessica@inman.com You asked for it. We delivered. Check out our new merch! https://merch.realestateinsidersunfiltered.com/ Follow Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered Podcast on Instagram - YouTube - Facebook - TikTok. Visit us online at realestateinsidersunfiltered.com. Link to Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RealEstateInsidersUnfiltered Link to Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/realestateinsiderspod/ Link to YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/@RealEstateInsidersUnfiltered Link to TikTok Page: https://www.tiktok.com/@realestateinsiderspod Link to website: https://realestateinsidersunfiltered.com This podcast is produced by Two Brothers Creative. https://twobrotherscreative.com/contact/ The views and opinions expressed on Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered are those of the hosts and guests in their personal capacities and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of AGNT, Inc., eXp Realty, LLC, NextHome, Inc., or any of their respective affiliates, subsidiaries, officers, or directors. Chapter Markers: 00:00 – The Biggest Mistake Sellers Make 01:37 – Austin Lane's Startup Journey 10:00 – How Notable Was Created 16:30 – Why Home Preparation Matters 22:15 – The Numbers Behind Move-In-Ready Homes 29:00 – AI's Impact on Real Estate Finance 35:10 – The Future of Real Estate Technology 38:45 – Why Brokerage Culture Wins 40:15 – Final Advice for Every Agent