Stuart Deane, a brokerage owner and real estate professional, is raising awareness about the growing financial consequences of ignoring local market knowledge and proper home preparation in residential real estate. In a recent interview, Deane explained how buyers and sellers are often misled by broad market headlines and national averages, leading to rushed decisions that result in lost time, diminished value, and increased stress. He argues that real estate decisions based on big headlines instead of ground-level realities cost people money even in strong markets.
According to the National Association of Realtors, 86% of buyers consider working with an agent who understands the local market important or very important, yet many consumers still rely on national price trends when making decisions. Deane believes this disconnect is growing, stating that national statistics fail to explain why one street sells faster than another or what buyers are reacting to in a given month. Industry data supports his position, showing that homes priced using neighborhood-level data sell up to 17% faster than those priced using regional averages. In competitive markets, this difference can translate to thousands of dollars.
Deane also emphasizes the critical role of high-return preparation, noting that sellers often focus on large renovations while overlooking simple fixes that buyers notice immediately. He points out that most fast sales come from clean homes, honest pricing, and removing friction rather than major remodels. Industry studies from sources like Zillow back this up, reporting that homes with neutral paint colors and basic cosmetic updates sell for up to $6,500 more on average. The National Association of Realtors found that properly prepared homes sell 18% faster than comparable unprepared homes.
With housing affordability under pressure and buyer confidence uneven, mistakes carry higher consequences. Data from ATTOM Data shows that homes sitting longer than 30 days often require price reductions of 5% or more, even in balanced markets. Deane believes better education and preparation can reduce these losses, framing the issue as a matter of respect for people's time and money. He encourages consumers to take ownership of their decisions by observing neighborhood activity, tracking real metrics like days on market, and focusing on fundamentals rather than market noise.
