How to Include Free Leasebacks, Moving Help, or Storage to Win Deals
This article breaks it all down: what a motivated seller actually is, how to identify one, the types you’ll encounter, and why they’re the engine behind so many successful acquisitions.
Austin Beverigde
Tennessee
, Goliath Teammate
Sometimes, the best way to win a deal isn’t offering more money.
It’s offering more help.
Motivated sellers are often overwhelmed, not just by the sale itself, but by everything that comes after:
“Where will I go?”
“How fast do I need to move?”
“I can’t pack this house by next week…”
When you solve for those anxieties, you don’t just get a better deal, you earn faster trust, easier closes, and more referrals.
This article shows you how to:
Offer free leasebacks the right way
Use moving help as a deal sweetener
Include short-term storage without adding friction
Protect yourself legally and financially
Position these bonuses so they feel like gifts, not bribes
What Sellers Are Really Saying When They Stall
When a seller says:
“I just need a little more time…”
They’re not stalling the sale, they’re stalling the move.
And that’s your opening.
They want to say yes.
They’re just not ready to uproot their life yet.
Your job: Make that easier.
Let’s break down three options you can offer, without wrecking your margins.
1. Free Leaseback: “Stay a Little Longer After Closing”
What it is:
A short-term agreement where the seller stays in the property after closing, rent-free or at a discounted rate.
Why it works:
Gives seller peace of mind
Helps them coordinate a move without pressure
Makes your offer feel generous, even if the price is lower
How to offer it:
“If it helps, we can close on your timeline but give you a couple of weeks after closing to stay in the home, just to make the move easier. No extra rent, no stress.”
How to structure it:
Use a formal post-occupancy agreement
Define length (typically 7–30 days max)
Spell out responsibilities (utilities, insurance, condition)
Require a holdback if needed (e.g., $2,000 from proceeds until move-out)
Pro tip: Keep it casual in the pitch, but formal in the paperwork. Sellers love the flexibility, but you still need protection.
2. Moving Help: “Let Me Take One More Thing Off Your Plate”
What it is:
You cover (or arrange) packing, labor, or truck rental to physically help the seller move.
Why it works:
Reduces decision fatigue
Helps sellers who are elderly, overwhelmed, or out of state
Feels thoughtful, not transactional
How to offer it:
“A lot of sellers we work with feel overwhelmed by the logistics, so we include help with moving if it would make life easier. Would that be helpful in your case?”
What you can offer:
Professional movers (for a flat fee or limited hours)
Local labor via TaskRabbit, Craigslist, or a service like Bellhop
Your own team (if insured and prepared)
Reimbursement up to a certain amount
Pro tip: Offer options. Some sellers want full white-glove treatment. Others just want two guys and a truck.
3. Short-Term Storage: “We’ll Keep Your Stuff Safe While You Sort Things Out”
What it is:
You provide (or pay for) temporary storage, either self-storage or portable units like PODS.
Why it works:
Helps sellers with mismatched timelines (selling now, buying later)
Adds tremendous perceived value
Removes the “what do I do with all this stuff?” blocker
How to offer it:
“If it’s helpful, we can cover a month of storage so you don’t feel rushed to find your next place before you’re ready.”
What to consider:
Cost (units range from $75 to $250/month)
Access (are they allowed access during storage?)
Location (near them or near their new home?)
Insurance (ensure it’s covered, especially for high-value items)
Pro tip: Pair this with moving help to create a frictionless off-ramp from the home.
When and How to Pitch These Extras
Timing is everything.
Use these strategies when the seller is:
Showing hesitation about logistics
Expressing emotional overwhelm
Concerned about timelines
Motivated, but stalled
Avoid these if the seller:
Is already working with a listing agent
Doesn’t own the property yet (e.g., probate in progress)
Has hard deadlines you can’t support
How to pitch it:
Don’t lead with these perks. Use them as sweeteners once the conversation is warm:
“Look, I know you’ve got a lot on your plate. What would make this transition feel a little lighter for you? Sometimes we include things like a bit of storage or moving help if it would make things easier…”
Then shut up. Let them tell you what’s in the way of the yes.
Legal + Practical Safeguards
Even generous perks need guardrails. Here’s how to protect yourself:
Put everything in writing.
Verbal agreements don’t cut it. Use addendums or separate service agreements.Limit timeframes.
30 days max for leasebacks or storage is standard. You’re not becoming a landlord.Add a holdback or deposit.
If the seller stays post-close, hold back a small amount from their proceeds until they vacate in good condition.Get insurance documentation.
Especially for storage or movers, liability can sneak up fast.
Don’t Just Solve the Sale, Solve the Move
A good offer solves the math. A great offer solves the stress.
When you help sellers transition, emotionally, logistically, physically, you win deals your competitors never saw coming.
So next time you hear…
“I just need a little more time…”
Don’t push harder. Offer help.
Because sometimes the best close isn’t a higher price, it’s a softer landing.
