Real estate agents wander through a lot of houses.  Since we see so many, sometimes we come up with back-stories for the homes… what the sellers or previous occupants were like… or why the homes are on the market.  Some of those back-stores start to get familiar.

Paint is a huge clue.  For me, seeing “Trading Spaces” designs is pretty common in distressed properties.  I loved watching the show, but it seems like people with properties that were in trouble liked quick and easy design tips.  That doesn’t mean that people that like quick and easy design tips all have homes in trouble, though…  Could just all be a coincidence…