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.