REAL ESTATE SELLER RESOURCES | RALEIGH, NC

Sell Your Raleigh Home for More? Discover eXp Ready - Up to $50,000 to Prepare Your Home With Nothing Due Until Closing

An innovative new home-selling program from eXp Realty helps Raleigh-area homeowners make improvements, complete repairs, and prepare their properties for sale without paying upfront.

One of the biggest challenges homeowners face when preparing to sell is deciding whether to invest money in improvements before putting their property on the market.

Maybe your home could benefit from fresh paint, new flooring, landscaping, updated light fixtures, or professional staging. Perhaps you've been putting off necessary repairs because you know you're planning to move.

You recognize these improvements could help attract buyers, but spending $10,000, $20,000, or more before selling isn't always appealing—or financially practical.

That's where eXp Ready™ comes in.

Launched in October 2026, eXp Realty introduced eXp Ready™, powered by Notable, a home preparation financing program that allows qualified sellers to access up to $50,000 for eligible improvements, with no payment required upfront and repayment generally made from closing proceeds.

Why this program matters in the Raleigh real estate market?

The Triangle continues to be an attractive destination for families, professionals, retirees, and people relocating to North Carolina. But today's real estate market is different from the market we experienced when homes frequently received multiple offers almost immediately.

Buyers have more choices, and presentation matters.

According to Realtor.com's September 2026 housing data, the Raleigh market had approximately 3,272 active listings and a median marketing time of 61 days, based on its reporting methodology. More competition means sellers need to pay particular attention to pricing, condition, and presentation.

Buyers often make quick comparisons when browsing homes online. They look at photographs, finishes, floor plans, and the overall condition before deciding which homes deserve an in-person visit.

The goal isn't necessarily to make your home the most expensive or extensively renovated property in the neighborhood. It's to make it one of the most appealing choices within its price range.

And now, qualified sellers have a financing option that can help them accomplish that without first draining their savings.

What is eXp Ready and how does it work?

eXp Ready™ offers a relatively straightforward process:

1. Apply: Complete an application in approximately five minutes, with no impact to your credit score from the initial application.

2. Get approved: Qualified homeowners may receive up to $50,000 in financing, depending on eligibility.

3. Make improvements: Choose your own contractors, vendors, and service providers to prepare the home.

4. List and sell: Market the property after completing the improvements that make sense for your home.

5. Repay: Repay the amount used plus applicable fixed interest from closing proceeds, or earlier if required by the loan agreement.

Unlike traditional home-improvement approaches that require homeowners to pay upfront, this arrangement allows sellers to complete eligible work before receiving the proceeds from their home sale.

Other eligible services can include professional cleaning and organizing, real estate photography, moving and storage, and additional repairs or updates.

The important consideration is choosing improvements that make financial sense for the property's location, price point, and likely buyer expectations—not simply spending the entire approved amount.

Which Raleigh-area sellers could benefit the most?

Sellers who have substantial equity but limited available cash

Some homeowners have built considerable equity over many years but prefer not to use their current savings to prepare a home for sale.

Instead of paying for every improvement upfront, eXp Ready™ may help them leverage a financing solution while they wait for their sale to close.

Homeowners selling an older property

Many homes in established Raleigh neighborhoods—particularly North Raleigh, Inside the Beltline, and older sections of Cary—have excellent locations and desirable floor plans but may benefit from cosmetic improvements.

Fresh paint, updated fixtures, refinished hardwoods, or improved landscaping can sometimes make a meaningful difference without undertaking a complete renovation.

Sellers purchasing another home

Selling one home while purchasing another can involve significant financial demands.

Between moving expenses, mortgage deposits, inspections, closing costs, and furnishing a new property, even financially comfortable homeowners may want to preserve cash.

Using eligible financing for pre-listing improvements can provide additional financial flexibility, although sellers who are purchasing another home should consult their mortgage lender about how the new debt may affect qualification.

Luxury homeowners

In luxury communities throughout Raleigh, Wake Forest, Cary, and surrounding areas, presentation can be especially important.

Luxury buyers frequently compare high-quality photography, architectural details, landscaping, and interior finishes.

Professional staging, lighting upgrades, and strategic cosmetic improvements may help a luxury listing compete more effectively against newer or recently updated properties.

Can spending money before selling actually make you more money?

Possibly—but the key is knowing where to spend it.

Consider this hypothetical Raleigh home-selling scenario:

In this illustration, the improvements could produce a $10,000 benefit before financing charges, additional selling expenses, and other transaction costs.

However, there is no guarantee of a higher selling price, and some projects may not recover their cost.

That's why we recommend starting with a comparative market analysis and a detailed evaluation of the property before deciding which improvements are worth making.

Why experience matters when choosing improvements

At Phillip Johnson Group, we believe that preparing a home for sale should be part of a larger marketing and pricing strategy.

With more than 28 years of North Carolina real estate experience and a background in construction, I understand that not every renovation creates a positive return.

Sometimes a $2,500 painting project is far more valuable than a $20,000 kitchen renovation. In other cases, resolving a major repair concern before listing may help prevent a difficult negotiation after inspections.

Our goal is to help homeowners identify which improvements are likely to matter most to buyers in their particular neighborhood and price range.

The best pre-listing strategy isn't about how much you spend. It's about making the right investments before your home reaches the market.

Frequently asked questions about eXp Ready

Is eXp Ready™ free?

No. Although qualified sellers may have no upfront payments, the program is financing, not a grant. Interest applies, and a $499 origination fee is charged when funds are first drawn, according to current program terms.

Do I have to borrow the full $50,000?

No. Approved sellers can draw only the amount needed, up to their approved limit.

Who qualifies?

Published general requirements include a minimum 680 credit score, typically at least 20% equity, qualifying property ownership, a signed listing agreement, and a listing price below $4 million. Exceptions and additional underwriting requirements may apply.

What if my home doesn't sell?

Repayment obligations remain even if the home doesn't sell. Depending on the loan terms, repayment may become due when the listing agreement terminates, at closing, at loan acceleration, or 12 months after origination, whichever occurs first.

Can I choose my own contractor?

Yes. The program allows homeowners to select their preferred contractors and service providers for eligible work.

Does the program guarantee a higher selling price?

No. Improvements may enhance marketability, but actual results depend on the property, local market conditions, pricing, buyer demand, and project costs.

Thinking about selling your Raleigh-area home? Let's make a plan.

Whether you're selling a starter home, moving to a larger property, downsizing, relocating, or selling a luxury estate, your home's condition and presentation can influence how buyers respond.

eXp Ready™ gives qualified sellers an additional option for preparing their home without immediately spending their own cash.

At Phillip Johnson Group, we can help you evaluate your home's current market value, identify potential improvements, estimate their costs, and develop a marketing strategy designed around your selling goals.

Before you spend thousands of dollars - or decide to sell your property as-is ...let's discuss your options.

Important disclosure: eXp Ready™ is powered by Notable. Loans are subject to lender approval, eligibility, interest, fees, and repayment terms. Financing may not be suitable for every seller. Sale price improvements and faster sales are not guaranteed. Please review the official program terms and loan agreement before applying.