Real Estate Professional Stuart Deane Advocates for Local Market Knowledge and Preparation

Stuart Deane, a brokerage owner and real estate professional, is highlighting a critical issue in residential real estate: the financial consequences of ignoring local market knowledge and adequate home preparation. In a recent interview, Deane explained how buyers and sellers are frequently misled by broad market headlines and national averages, leading to rushed decisions that result in lost value and increased stress. He stated that real estate decisions based on big headlines rather than ground-level realities cost people money even in strong markets.

According to data from 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, noting that national statistics fail to explain why one street sells faster than another or what buyers are reacting to in a given month. He points to industry data showing that homes priced using neighborhood-level data sell up to 17% faster than those priced with regional averages, a difference that can translate to thousands of dollars in competitive markets.

Deane also stresses the importance of high-return preparation, arguing that sellers often overlook simple fixes in favor of large renovations. He notes that most fast sales come from clean homes, honest pricing, and removing friction rather than major remodels. Industry studies support this view; for example, Zillow reports 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 in real estate decisions carry higher consequences. 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, emphasizing that no one benefits when decisions are rushed or poorly informed. He encourages consumers to take ownership of their decisions by observing local market activity, asking better questions, and focusing on fundamentals rather than noise.