Growth Drivers
Mike & Rachael Novak run the #1 real estate team in Everrett, WA. They mentor hundreds of agents & have sold 1,000+ homes in their career.
Join Mike & Rachael as they discuss how to drive GROWTH in business, relationships, fitness & more 📈
Growth Drivers
What Kills a Listing Before it Hits The Market
Most sellers think the listing starts when it goes live.
Wrong.
Your listing is either winning or dying months before it ever hits the MLS.
Because buyers don’t “tour” your home.
They hunt for reasons to disqualify it.
And the second your house feels sketchy, messy, or slapped together…
They’re out.
This episode is the no-BS walkthrough of what silently murders your sale before it starts.
WHAT WE COVER
THE “LIPSTICK ON A PIG” PROBLEM
Random paint blotches. Bad patches. Weird texture.
If you touch up paint like an amateur, you just told buyers you’re hiding something.
Paint the whole wall. Corner to corner. Top to bottom.
YOUR NOSE KNOWS
If you get smacked by air fresheners the second you walk in…
That’s not “fresh.”
That’s a cover-up.
Cat, smoke, mildew, mold, soaked carpet padding.
You don’t mask it. You remediate it.
THE SMALL CLUES THAT SIGNAL BIG PROBLEMS
Doors that stick. Doors that don’t latch.
One door? Settling.
Multiple doors? Now we’re talking foundation, movement, and real money.
THE “PATCHWORK HOUSE” TURN-OFF
New flooring in one random spot.
Four different floors in one hallway.
Mulch stacked up against siding.
Painted-over caulking.
These aren’t always deal breakers.
But stacked together? It screams: neglected house.
THE STUFF THAT LOW-KEY DESTROYS SHOWINGS
Personal photos everywhere.
Trendy word decor.
Religious or polarizing displays.
Countertops packed with gadgets.
Oversized furniture crammed into rooms.
Souvenir collections and magnet-covered fridges.
Here’s the truth.
Buyers can’t picture themselves in your home when your home feels like your life.
Your job is to remove distractions so the house becomes the hero.
THE ACTION PLAN THAT ACTUALLY WORKS
Remove 30–50% of your stuff.
Clear horizontal surfaces.
Neutralize the entire vibe.
Stop hiding issues with cheap shortcuts.
And if you’re smart…
Get a seller inspection months before you list.
Build the handyman list early.
Walk into the market with receipts, not excuses.
THIS IS THE CORE MESSAGE
A well-maintained home sells faster.
Sells smoother.
And sells for more.
Because buyers pay for peace of mind.
They want turnkey.
Not your unfinished DIY projects and hidden problems.
If you’re planning to sell in Snohomish County in the next 3–9 months…
This episode can literally be worth tens of thousands.
Don’t wing it.
Don’t guess.
Don’t “hope” it works.
Fix it before the market punishes you.
Want more real talk like this?
✅ Join our Weekly “Wednesday Warrior” Newsletter
Get strategies, mindset shifts, and tactical moves that help you win in business without losing your life.
Subscribe Now
💪 Want to be Mentored by Rachael and Mike?
Lock arms with us at REAL Brokerage
🔥 Step Into the Warrior Agent Coaching Movement
Because working 80 hours a week isn’t the flex you think it is.
Build the systems. Get the support. Have it all.
Join the Movement