In real estate, the earliest signs that someone may be gearing up to move rarely come with flashing lights—they show up in conversations, subtle life changes, or offhand remarks. Savvy agents know that by listening closely and paying attention to these telltale clues, they can identify opportunities before someone officially raises their hand.

Whether it's a casual comment about outgrowing their space, a child starting school, or a shift in job location, these everyday signals can be golden cues to start a conversation and position yourself as the trusted advisor when the time is right.

Here's a comprehensive list of 50 possible verbal and situational "moving signals" that a real estate agent should listen for or observe in conversation.  Many of these come up casually, but they can be golden opportunities to start a deeper discussion.

Lifestyle Changes

1. "We're expecting a baby."
2. "The kids are getting older and need more space."
3. "We're empty nesters now."
4. "My parents are moving in with us."
5. "We want a bigger yard."
6. "We're ready to downsize."
7. "We want to live closer to family."
8. "We want to move to be in a different school district."
9. "Our neighborhood has changed a lot."
10. "We'd like to live somewhere quieter."

Career & Work-Related

11. "I just got a new job in another city."
12. "My commute is too long."
13. "I'm retiring soon."
14. "My company is relocating me."
15. "I'm starting a home business and need more space."
16. "We want to live closer to work."
17. "We're both working from home now and need separate offices."

Financial Indicators

18. "Our mortgage is almost paid off."
19. "We're having trouble keeping up with the mortgage."
20. "We want to cash in on the equity we've built."
21. "We're looking for lower property taxes."
22. "We want to lower our monthly housing costs."
23. "We're thinking of investing in a second home."

Relationship & Family

24. "We're getting married."
25. "We're getting divorced."
26. "My partner just moved in."
27. "My partner just moved out."
28. "We want to live in a more family-friendly area."
29. "We're caring for elderly parents."

Home-Related Comments

30. "We're running out of storage space."
31. "We need a bigger kitchen."
32. "We're tired of fixing things in this house."
33. "We want a home with a pool."
34. "We want a single-story home."
35. "We want a more modern home."
36. "This house is too big for us now."

Location & Lifestyle Preferences

37. "We'd love to be closer to downtown."
38. "We'd like to live in the country."
39. "We want to be near the beach/lake/mountains."
40. "We want to move to a warmer climate."
41. "We want to move somewhere with more land."
42. "We're looking for a community with more amenities."

Timing Clues

43. "We'll probably sell after the kids finish school."
44. "We might move after the holidays."
45. "We're waiting for the market to pick up."
46. "We're thinking of making a change this year."
47. "We might rent first, then buy."

Property Market Talk

48. "Homes in this area are selling for a lot more than we paid."
49. "We've been watching what's for sale in [neighborhood]."
50. "We've been talking to a lender about what we could afford."

The ability to recognize subtle "moving signals" in everyday conversations is a powerful skill that sets top-producing agents apart. By staying alert to these verbal cues and lifestyle changes, you'll uncover opportunities long before your competitors, and position yourself as the go-to resource when the time to move becomes real.

The more sensitive you are to these signs, the more consistent your pipeline becomes and the more referrals you'll generate from being in the right place at the right time.

The agents who consistently uncover these opportunities aren't just better listeners — they're more present. They stay visible. They stay relevant. They stay top-of-mind.

That's exactly what InTouch Systems is built to do.  Through automated, educational email and social media content, InTouch keeps you consistently in front of your sphere so when someone says, "We're thinking about...," you're the first person they think of — and the one they reach out to.

If you want a steadier pipeline, more natural conversations, and more referrals without adding hours to your week, it's time to investigate InTouch Systems.

Start a free trial or schedule a personal demo and see how simple staying present can be.

For centuries, families planted gardens not as a hobby but as a lifeline. Victory Gardens during WWII fed millions of Americans, proving that careful planning and steady nurturing produce sustenance season after season. A 20 x 28-foot plot could feed a family all summer but only if it was prepared, planted, and consistently tended with water, fertilizer, and care.

Your real estate business works the same way. Your database, the people you know and hope to work with, is your "garden." The seeds you plant today will become the harvest that sustains you in the future. But, just like a garden, it requires more than a one-time effort; it needs consistent attention to thrive.

Here's how the analogy plays out:

Just like staggering plantings ensures a steady harvest throughout the season, maintaining your database ensures a steady pipeline of business all year. Some "plants" will mature faster than others, but with consistent watering and fertilizing, you'll always have something ready to "harvest."

A well-maintained garden feeds a family for years. Likewise, a well-managed database can sustain your business for your entire career. By planting seeds (initial contacts), watering (consistent communication), and fertilizing (adding value), you'll build trust and loyalty ensuring your name is the one people remember when it's time to make a move.

This approach isn't just good practice; it's essential. Your database truly is your future income. Treat it like your most valuable crop, and it will yield a harvest of repeat and referral business season after season.

Just like watering and fertilizing a real garden, your database needs regular attention to grow and that's where InTouch Systems can help. With professionally written newsletters, weekly blog posts, daily social media content, and automated delivery, InTouch acts like a drip irrigation system for your business, consistently nourishing your relationships with valuable, trust-building touches.

Visit www.InTouchSystems.com to view sample newsletters and social posts, watch short demo videos, and take a free trial to see how easily you can cultivate repeat and referral business...without having to do it all yourself.

A recent 2024 Gallup poll reinforces the value of real estate in building long-term wealth. According to the survey, Americans once again ranked real estate as the best long-term investment, outperforming stocks, gold, savings accounts, and bonds. Despite market fluctuations and economic uncertainty, real estate has held the top spot for 11 consecutive years.

This consistent confidence underscores the tangible and stable nature of real estate as an asset, something people can see, use, and improve. With the help of a knowledgeable agent, buyers are not just purchasing a place to live, they're investing in what Americans overwhelmingly believe is the most reliable path to wealth.

Real estate agents do more than just help people buy and sell homes, they often play a critical role in shaping their clients' long-term financial health. For many Americans, a home is not only where life happens but also the single largest investment they'll ever make. And unlike many other financial assets, real estate comes with unique advantages that can significantly grow wealth over time with a skilled agent guiding the way.

One of the most important advantages of homeownership is equity growth, driven by both market appreciation and loan amortization. As homeowners pay down their mortgage and property values rise, equity accumulates, often passively and predictably. What makes this even more compelling is the preferential tax treatment that real estate enjoys.

For example, the capital gains exclusion on the sale of a primary residence allows homeowners to exclude up to $250,000 (or $500,000 for married couples) in profit from taxation if certain conditions are met, something you won't find with stocks or mutual funds.

Real estate agents, particularly those who stay in touch with their clients, are in a position to guide this journey beyond the initial purchase. A well-maintained relationship can lead to future opportunities, such as upgrading to a larger home, acquiring a vacation property, or investing in rental real estate. Many successful investors start by simply leveraging the equity in their primary home to make their next move.

The beauty of real estate as an investment is that most people already understand it. Unlike complex financial instruments or retirement portfolios that require professional management, homeowners know what it takes to maintain a house. With a little experience and guidance, they can apply that knowledge toward managing rental properties and growing their investment portfolio with confidence.

One of the biggest financial advantages real estate offers is leverage, the ability to control a large asset with a relatively small amount of cash. While you can't borrow 80% of the value of a stock or mutual fund purchase long-term at fixed interest rates, mortgage lenders routinely offer 80%, 90%, or even 95% loan-to-value financing for home purchases. These mortgages often come with fixed interest rates and long terms, giving investors stability and predictable payments, features not commonly found in other asset classes.

A knowledgeable agent can help clients understand and harness this leverage strategically. Whether it's using home equity to purchase an investment property or advising when it's time to refinance, reposition, or sell, the agent becomes a trusted financial ally, not just a sales facilitator.

In the long run, real estate agents who build relationships based on service, insight, and strategic guidance can profoundly impact their clients' financial futures. They help individuals make wise decisions about their largest asset, sometimes repeatedly throughout their lives. In doing so, they contribute not just to the dream of homeownership but to lasting wealth and security.