Best listing on the street: Differentiate your service with home repair solutions

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One of the most significant aspects of my previous experience in the real estate industry comes from my time working in foreclosures, flips and asset disposition, moving thousands of properties in markets across several states. One thing I’ve learned during that process is that not every home needs a full renovation to find a buyer.

Sometimes, a fresh coat of paint, new lighting, new flooring or even just staging can make a difference in how a home shows. Sometimes, simply cleaning up the yard and refreshing the front door adds the curb appeal that draws attention to a listing and helps move a home on to its next owner.

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Sometimes the house needs to be empty, with no belongings or personalization left in the home. Often, however, sellers don’t have the financial capability to move out ahead of time or pay for storage and movers. Even simple decluttering (after all, they’re already moving, so let’s start packing) requires materials, labor, transportation and, often, storage.

Updates help, whether you’re working with 

• expired listings that need a refresh before being reintroduced to the market,
• elderly homeowners making up for deferred maintenance,
• a property that has been rented out and treated with less than tender loving care or
• a traditional owner who just needs to do some basic repairs and updates before hitting the market.

As the market shifts and more inventory is available for buyers to choose from, your listing needs to stand out from Day 1. Part of my value proposition includes partnering with companies that are set up to offer services that assist in a cohesive pre-listing process, helping seller clients get the best price possible from their sale.

TheQwikFix, for inspection repairs

One such company tackling repairs — specifically those related to the inspection process — is TheQwikFix, a member of the 2025 NAR Reach cohort. The platform pulls from home inspection reports to create detailed repair quotes from local, licensed contractors, simplifying the process of getting a home market- and closing-ready.

In his recent Tech Review of TheQwikFix, Craig Rowe writes:

What helps TheQwikFix earn its value is that it keeps the deal moving forward. The fast turnaround, the simple interface, the easy-to-read pricing — it all contributes to the momentum needed to get to close. You don’t need days between the report’s handover and the listing agent’s handyman deciding how to price it.

He also suggests, and I totally agree, that the play here is to get the home pre-inspected and repairs completed before the first offer comes in. That way, the seller is confident in pricing the property, and the buyer is (or should be) confident in making an offer. It’s an extra layer of protection for both parties, allowing them to enter escrow without having to worry about falling out due to a tense post-inspection negotiation.

Notable, for pay-at-close convenience

Of course, many of your sellers won’t have money just lying around for a renovation or a series of updates. For those who need to smooth the way, Notable is a financing company that specializes in pay-at-close loans for repairs and upgrades that get homes sold. 

Last year, Leading Real Estate Companies of the World announced that it had chosen Notable as a partner for its Solutions Group. As part of its pitch, Notable offers a white-label solution that can be branded through the brokerage, staging company or other vendors (like TheQuikFix) funding up to $50,000 that can be used to pay the contractor or service provider of the seller’s choice.

The flexibility doesn’t stop there. You can also use Notable’s funds for staging, moving expenses, temporary housing — anything and everything connected to the move. For house-poor, cash-strapped clients who need money prior to closing, it’s a godsend.

According to its most recent statistics, Notable has lent more than $1 billion and helped to renovate or improve 30,000 homes with a solid 96 percent client satisfaction rating. 

Making this a powerful 1-2 punch at your listing consultation

Whether you’re working with a graphic artist or DIYing it in Canva, put together a downloadable graphic to promote these services as a seller incentive. Provide information about the value of repairs prior to listing, then provide the logistical and financial path for getting them completed. 

Add your downloadable pdf to the Sellers page on your website and make it part of your listing consultation package. That way, when you do your initial walkthrough, you can point out needed repairs without having to dance around the cost or leave the homeowner searching for a clear next step.

Remember, sellers are coming off a five-year spree where all they had to do was sign on the dotted line, get the home listed, and wait for the offers to roll in. Now that those days are gone in many markets, you’ll have to educate them on the realities of the current market. Coming in with a solution in hand gives you instant credibility, and the white-labeled potential of Notable adds even more brand authority to your pitch.