Meh to Market-Ready

·32 min·2 clips

Orion Moquin staged a Bigfoot sighting in listing photos to grab buyers' attention for a 12-acre property.

This episode of Real Estate Today focuses on practical strategies for preparing a home to sell, from curb appeal to interior staging. Host Melissa Tracy is joined by several industry experts to discuss market conditions and home improvement trends. Moody's downgrade of America's credit rating to AA1 has contributed to mortgage rates rising above 7%. Redfin's Chen Zhao states a significant drop in mortgage rates this year would likely require a severe recession, while Daryl Fairweather notes lower rates would bring buyers back to the market. Ginger Wilcox of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate cites research showing nearly 70% of homeowners now value outdoor space as much as indoor space. Wilcox identifies classic black and navy blue as top front door colors and notes a tenfold jump in interest in low-water, water-wise landscaping. Orion Moquin, a real estate professional, staged a Bigfoot sighting in photos for a 12-acre vacant land listing in Maine to generate creative exposure. Moquin believes potential buyers often use real estate portals more like social media for passive scrolling than active searching. The National Association of Realtors' 2025 Profile of Home Staging Report, presented by Brandi Snowden, finds staging can increase a home's offered value by 1% to 10% compared to unstaged homes. The report identifies the living room, primary bedroom, and kitchen as the most important rooms to stage. Michael Aladawi, CEO of Revive, reports that pre-sale renovations through his company can lead to selling twice as fast and a 100% return on investment. Alex Ryden, founder of Guesthouse, has built a platform to deliver furniture staging in a few days instead of weeks, focusing on key living areas. Guesthouse also offers a shoppable component where buyers can purchase the staged furnishings or work with a designer to recreate the look. The episode maintains an educational and conversational tone, blending news updates, expert interviews, and specific data. It features a lighthearted segment about unconventional marketing alongside straightforward advice on renovations and staging. Homeowners considering selling in the near future would find actionable tips on cost-effective upgrades and market insights. Listeners seeking deep economic analysis or those uninterested in DIY home improvement topics might find less relevance.

As heard by us

Practical selling advice with a clear line from market conditions to home value.

Real Estate Today keeps its focus on practical next steps: getting a house ready, reading the market, and avoiding timing mistakes that can get expensive fast.

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Want a clearer path to selling your home without guessing what actually helps?

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