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RLINGTON, TX – December 25, 2025 – Stuart Deane, owner of TDT Realtors and veteran real‑estate broker, used a recent interview to highlight a growing pitfall in residential sales: the hidden cost of ignoring local market insight and proper home preparation.

    Deane explains that buyers and sellers often fall for broad headlines, national averages, and rushed decisions. “People still make choices based on big headlines instead of what’s happening on the ground,” he said. “That gap costs money, even in strong markets.”

    A career forged in discipline, observation, and leadership—Deane’s background spans representing Queensland in athletics and golf to leading TDT Realtors—shapes his view that preparation, timing, and clear thinking are essential.

    ### Local knowledge matters

    The National Association of Realtors reports that 86 % of buyers say an agent who knows the local market is important or very important. Yet many still rely on national price trends. “A national stat doesn’t explain why one street sells faster than another,” Deane notes. “Local knowledge does.”

    Recent data show that homes priced with neighborhood‑level information sell up to 17 % faster than those priced using regional averages—a difference that can translate into thousands of dollars in competitive markets.

    ### Preparation multiplies value

    Deane stresses that high‑return preparation often outweighs costly renovations. Sellers tend to focus on big remodels while overlooking simple fixes that buyers notice immediately. “Fast sales rarely come from big remodels,” he says. “They come from clean homes, honest pricing, and removing friction.”

    Industry studies back this up. Zillow reports that homes with neutral paint 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 ones. “These aren’t secret tactics,” Deane says. “They’re habits, and habits are repeatable.”

    ### A call for informed decisions

    Deane urges buyers and sellers to slow down, ask better questions, and avoid rushed or confusing transactions. “People should feel confident, not pressured,” he says. “If someone can’t explain why a price makes sense, that’s a problem.”

    He believes consumers can protect themselves by focusing on fundamentals rather than noise.

    ### What buyers and sellers can do today

    **Buyers:**

    - Walk neighborhoods at different times of day

    - Ask why homes on the same street sell at different prices

    - Track days on market, not just list prices

    - Pay attention to condition, not staging tricks

    **Sellers:**

    - Fix small issues before listing

    - Price based on recent nearby sales, not peak headlines

    - Focus on cleanliness and lighting first

    - Ask how fast similar homes are selling right now

    “Good decisions come from clarity,” Deane says. “Clarity comes from paying attention.”

    ### Why this matters now

    Housing affordability remains tight and buyer confidence uneven. ATTOM Data shows that homes staying on the market longer than 30 days often need price reductions of 5 % or more, even in balanced markets. Deane believes better education and preparation can reduce those losses.

    “This is about respect for people’s time and money,” he says. “No one benefits when decisions are rushed or poorly informed.”

    Stuart Deane encourages buyers and sellers to educate themselves on their own neighborhoods, track real activity, and prepare homes with intention before making any move. “Start by observing,” he says. “Watch what’s selling. Watch what’s not. That knowledge is free, and it’s powerful.”