FAQ

Why You May Not Want To Hire Your Mom’s Realtor

$20,000 Commission?
What are you getting for that money?

Personality Matters – Hire the Agent FOR YOU

Remove the Awkwardness of Needing to Say ‘No Thank You’

Beware of Guarantees and Avoid Empty Promises

Top 10 Questions You Should Be Asking Your Real Estate Agent Before Hiring Them

Don't Take Offense, It's Just Business
FAQ

Agent Avenue is 100% free for property buyers and sellers. We exist to help you connect with the most appropriate agent for your needs.

Unless closed earlier, your opportunity will remain open for agent applicants for a period of 1 month. Most agents that are keen to help you buy or sell your property will apply within the first few days of the opportunity being posted.

Yes, your contact details, name and full property address will remain private until you have selected to connect with one or more agent applicants.

Not immediately, but very shortly following. Our team at Agent Avenue likes to make sure opportunities are complete with enough information to help real estate professionals assess if this an opportunity they would like to consider and if they are the appropriate agent to assist you with your sale or purchase.

Good question! Our goal at Agent Avenue is to provide you with as much choice when selecting an agent as possible. We provide agents many opportunities in their online resume to feature their experience, marketing strategy and even their personality, to better help you select the right agent(s) for you. Although our network of applicant agents is always growing, we do not control the number of agents that apply for individual opportunities.

No we do not. Agents that are registered with Agent Avenue select the market area that they would like to receive consumer leads from. Agents have equal access to apply for opportunities and we do not feature or provide preferential access to agents regardless of the plan they have with Agent Avenue.

No you are not. With Agent Avenue, you are in complete control of the application and connection process. You are welcome to post an opportunity, view your options and consider whether or not you would like to connect with agents. Should you decide that the available candidates do not meet your needs, the opportunity can be closed and you are not required to connect with anyone.

We’ve done our best to keep the opportunity posting process short and simple. On average, the opportunity posting may take 5 minutes to complete.

We understand that not everyone has the time or technical ability to go through the process of submitting an opportunity and consider candidates. The Agent Avenue Concierge has been developed to help you post your opportunity and consider agent applicants that would like to help you purchase or sell your property. There is no cost to this service.

Yes you can. Should you wish to, your Agent Avenue dashboard is set up to allow you to submit multiple opportunities at a time.

Yes, you can request concierge assistance at any time. Please reach out to our team concierge@agentavenue.com and we would be pleased to assist.

The entire process is kept simple and maintains your privacy. Should you decide to reject an applicant, you can click on the thumb’s down icon under the agent’s profile photo to take them out of the running. The Agent Avenue system will send the agent a notification email to thank them for their application and to let them know that they have not been selected for this opportunity.

Why You May Not Want To Hire Your Mom’s Realtor

  • You trust your mom for different things in your day-to-day life. However, before you pick up the phone to meet with her recommendation, you may want to rethink hiring your mom’s realtor.
  • Why?

    For a real estate agent to find success, it’s not all about “who you know.” A house-buying or selling relationship also needs to coincide with other key factors that will make the experience right for you as the consumer.

  • Do Your Research


    Although she may swear by her realtor that got her and your father a great deal on their retirement condominium, you are likely looking for a different type of property, whether it be a hip condominium downtown, a vacation property or a single-family home that will provide space for your growing family.

    That’s why it’s crucial for you to do your research, not only on her recommendation but on other potential candidates, before you decide to hire. With over 1.5 million licensed real estate professionals in North America, you have choices, and the first step of taking control of your purchase or sale is vetting the right agent to work with.

    So, why should you hesitate with the agent who helped with the successful purchase of your mother‘s home?

    Here are some key factors that may influence your experience and may require that you hire the right agent for you, not the right agent for your mom:
  • Location, location, location: Although your parents may have a beautiful new beachside property, it could be settled on the outskirts of town—nowhere near your “must-have” amenities, like shopping malls, parks, restaurants, medical facilities, and proximity to your friends.

    The location of your future home can play a part in a successful new home buy. Depending on your needs and budget, you‘ll want to pick an area of town with people living a similar lifestyle to yours. An area that fits within your budget and, if needed, provides opportunities for growth or an ability to rent out the space can be significant decisions when you’re purchasing an investment property.

    If you have a family with children going to school, you may be hyper-aware of the need to be close to your desired school district. Your goal is to provide your children with the best education possible, and pick a home in the right area of town can greatly impact your child’s education.

    And lastly, the location you choose to settle in will be critical in terms of your transportation needs—figuring out how long your commute is to work/school and seeing how accessible public transportation is are essential questions to ask.
  • Different Target Audience: Your mom’s realtor may have gotten her a great deal—but that agent may only have condominiums in a 55+ community on his or her radar. Researching realtors in a particular market that are more rehearsed in the type of homes you’re looking for can help you avoid turning down a ton of unrealistic properties—and saving you time.

    Working with an agent that specializes in your market or type of real estate will also affect the amount of money you ultimately pay for the property.

    Suppose the agent isn’t aware of recent sales trends in the area for similar properties. How will they properly advise you on the price you should be paying for your new property, not to mention the price you should consider acceptable for the property you may be selling?

    Personality: Perhaps your mom wasn’t in any rush to find her forever home—but you have just accepted a job offer on the other side of town and need a home in that area, fast. Although you would think most realtors are time efficient and work their fastest to get you the best deal, your case might slip to the bottom of their to-do list. From being time-sensitive to giving you the assurance you’re looking for, personality and the agent’s drive can make a massive difference in the success of your experience.

  • Hiring the Right Real Estate Agent


    So, before you hire your mom’s realtor, you’ll want to make sure that she or he matches up with your expectations on the desired location, market, target audience, personality, and their service offering. Then—and only then—could you two start in that professional connection, with the makings of a match made in REA-heaven.

  • Thinking of Buying or Selling? Connect with the right agent to get the job done.


    Over 70% of property buyers and sellers hire the first agent they speak with. We’re here to change that.

    Agent Avenue is a free resource that allows consumers to post opportunities and compare the service offerings of agents that apply to work with them. Post your opportunity, review agent applicants and connect with those agents that best suits your needs. On Agent Avenue, consumers are in the driver’s seat. For complete details visit www.agentavenue.com 

$20,000 Commission? What are you getting for that money?

  • Whether you’re looking to sell your first home or are in the market and researching real estate agents to get you and your family the best deal, figuring out the money side, the costs of hiring an agent, and what you’re getting for your money can be a complicated (but significant) part of the transaction.

    Even though the way a real estate agent may approach you or handle business can be done with a winning and amicable personality, it may not necessarily mean that you’re getting the best deal or the most for your money.

  • The Number Crunch


    When working with a real estate agent to sell your property, you’re most likely going to be paying commission for the sale—typically at around 5 percent, with 2.5% of that commission going to the buyer’s agent and 2.5% going to your agent as the seller’s agent. Generally speaking, the property seller is the party responsible for paying the commissions owed to agents for their services. Property buyers do not pay agents a commission when they house-hunting.

    So, when it comes to selling your property and paying a commission, what does that look like in real numbers? When you’re selling a house for $400,000, that 5 percent commission amounts to $20,000 total.

    So before you sign on the dotted line, you should get a better, more comprehensive understanding of where that $20,000 goes. What are you getting for all that money?

    Is that extra fee speeding up your sale?

    Does this real estate agency have a robust international marketing plan that can put your house on the best market with the most people?

    Are you getting actual value for all money?

    Given that you’re going to be paying that money regardless, how does your agent’s offering differ from his or her competitors in the market? What advertising is being provided for your property? Are you getting professional photos, a floor plan or a 3D tour to help present your listing? The questions are simple, what is being offered and who is responsible for covering the costs of those items?

    For that 5 percent commission, your real estate agent will be responsible for:
    • 1) Finding the best price for your home: With expertise in the market, your agent should be able to help set a price for your home that not only helps you profit but also can be bought at a competitive price. That pricing should also align with your goals—whether you need to sell quickly or are willing to hold out for the best and highest offer.

    2) Inform themselves about location: The agent is responsible for conducting additional research to evaluate surrounding neighborhoods, the potential return of investment, and how the market is in your area can help them set the best price for the sale.

    3) Be the coordinator between all the industry professionals: Your real estate agent is responsible for coordinating the work between appraisers, inspectors, property managers, contractors, mortgage loan officers, and you—the prospective seller. Your agent works on your behalf to negotiate for your best interests.

    4) Promote interest in your property: A real estate agent not only prices your home but helps be your “hype-man” too, with effective marketing and creative advertising strategies to stir interest in your home. Marketing can cover photos, online ads, social media, or even hosting open houses.

    5) Buyer-screening: For all of those prospective buyers that are interested in your property, your real estate agent is responsible for researching to see if each is pre-approved for a home loan. Also, there may be cases where you, as a home seller, want to sell your home to a growing family or one that has other familial ties to the neighborhood. This can help save you time in creating a bond with those buyers. Not all sales come down to who offered the highest price.

    6) Managing the closing paperwork: Properly closing a home sale means getting the best price and making sure the deal goes smoothly. They know their way around the showings, the appraisals, the inspections, and the final paperwork. Your real estate agent is responsible for double-checking paperwork and deadlines so you can close efficiently and on-time.

    As your go-to person before, during, and after your sale, that commission from your house's sale will go to your real estate agent, who helps get the deal done.

    As a property seller, you owe it to yourself to know how much of the money from the sale will be paid to your agent and what you are receiving in return for that money before you consider signing with them to sell your property.


  • Thinking of Buying or Selling? Connect with the right agent to get the job done.


    Over 70% of property buyers and sellers hire the first agent they speak with. We’re here to change that.

    Agent Avenue is a free resource that allows consumers to post opportunities and compare the service offerings of agents that apply to work with them. Post your opportunity, review agent applicants and connect with those agents that best suits your needs. On Agent Avenue, consumers are in the driver’s seat. For complete details visit www.agentavenue.com

Personality Matters – Hire the Agent FOR YOU

  • When it comes to buying and selling a property, you want to be able to fully entrust one of your most prized possessions with a dedicated professional, one that understands your goals and wants to help you secure your financial future.

    Although they could be the most professionally-trained specialist in the industry, the most important aspects of a winning real estate career for an agent can be grown and developed through their personalities.

    Below, we’re going to discuss what we consider the most important characteristics of a real estate agent and why their personality should play a big factor when you’re considering hiring them for the purchase or sale of your property.

  • 5 Important Personality Traits Your Real Estate Agent Should Have:

    We’re not all raised and educated to be cookie-cutter copies of one another. This is especially true in the professional world. In actuality, our pride often focuses on what makes us unique—and this is more often than not a character trait that is valued by clients that conduct business with us.

    Here are five particular traits that EVERY real estate agent should embody:

    • 1) Self-motivation: A successful real estate agent will have that be-your-own-boss drive and motivation to get top dollar for your house or help you score the best deal on your dream home. Buying and selling houses is not a typical 9-5 office job, but rather, you get out of it what you put in. Self-motivation is critical in a real go-getter-friendly industry like real estate.
    • 2) Problem-solver: A real estate agent needs to create a successful showcase, meet a client’s needs, market in the right location and to the right people. This means that they need to be great at finding the best solution to any issue presented on the way to a successful sale.
    • 3) Honesty: A real estate agent is entrusted with (sometimes) your entire life savings.  A successful real estate agent should approach each obstacle, case, and relationship with integrity and honesty throughout their personal and professional day-to-day. A real estate code of ethics exists in the industry and is kept in check by an agent’s local real estate council or board. Nothing sours a business relationship faster than a lack of trust, so honest is crucial.
    • 4) Tenacity: You don’t get to the top of the industry overnight. Marketing your clients’ properties takes persistence, aggressiveness, and a hard work ethic. It may be challenging to find that perfect deal, but you’ll want your real estate agent to work their hardest until they find something as close to it as possible!
    • 5) Detail-oriented: Not only are details important when it comes to your needs, but a successful real estate agent needs to be organized, communicative, and extremely detail-oriented to land the deal you want. The details are what make up the deal. An incorrect date on a sales agreement can have horrific effects on the success of a sale. When it comes to an agent’s paperwork, they must cross their “t’s,” dot their “i’s,” and thoroughly review their work. 

  • The Conductor of the Industry


    In the world of residential real estate, there are so many different professionals involved in the transaction—from appraisers to inspectors, property managers to contractors, mortgage loan officers to you—the prospective buyer or seller.

    The party responsible for acting as the Project Manager throughout the exchange is the REA, the real estate agent. And just like the conductor of a symphony, you have to be great at wearing different hats, being the middleman for various transactions (both with people and with capital), and successfully advocating for the buyer or seller throughout the entire process.

    When you’re looking to hire the right agent for you and your home, you want to have a look at the REA’s history, references, and reviews. A great personality goes a long way in helping an agent build their business. As the consumer, watch out for these key traits and remember to hire the right agent for you.

  • Thinking of Buying or Selling? Connect with the right agent to get the job done.


    Over 70% of property buyers and sellers hire the first agent they speak with. We’re here to change that.

    Agent Avenue is a free resource that allows consumers to post opportunities and compare the service offerings of agents that apply to work with them. Post your opportunity, review agent applicants and connect with those agents that best suits your needs. On Agent Avenue, consumers are in the driver’s seat. For complete details visit www.agentavenue.com

Remove the Awkwardness of Needing to Say ‘No Thank You’

  • Choosing the wrong real estate agent to help you in the process of buying, selling, or renting a house can lead to months of stress or even a financial disaster. However, having the right agent can help you understand the market prices and strategies for selling or buying a property. 

    The Agent Avenue’s matching tool puts you in control of your agent hunt, helping you find the perfect agent to meet your needs. Agent Avenue helps you as a consumer, whether a buyer or a seller, in posting your “job” opportunity for an agent to submit their application and virtual resume for your consideration. Not every agent will be the right match for your needs. You may want to work with an agent with experience working with downsizers or an agent specializing in condominium sales.

     The point is, through Agent Avenue, you remain in control of this process, and you, as the hiring party, determine what matters most to you.

    Through Agent Avenue, you will be able to vet agents that apply to your opportunity by reviewing their service offering, marketing approach, the history of their work, and in some cases, a video introduction that will demonstrate their personality. You can then decide whether you connect with the real estate agent of your choice, or you are welcome to reject them through the Agent Avenue system if they do not satisfy your needs. Should you choose to reject a candidate, don’t worry. It’s all part of the process. The Agent Avenue system will notify the agent that you have decided to consider other candidates. 

    At all times during this process, your identity and contact details remain private. Only when you select to “connect” with an agent that has applied for your opportunity that you and they will then be put in touch with one another. 

  • Questions to Ask When Vetting a Real Estate Agent Using the Agent Avenue Matching Tool:


    Since this tool allows you to vet a realtor beforehand, the following questions will help you with the process:

    1. Marketing strategies


    The real estate agent should be able to answer the following questions well. This shows that he or she understands the real estate market, as well as the need for a strong online presence to help you sell or buy property:

    • What marketing strategies (online and offline) will you use to help me buy or sell my property? Do you have any social media presence?
    • Where will my property be listed, and do you have any pre-listing services?
    • May I see examples of videos, photos, and property descriptions you have created for your past clients?
    • Given the current market conditions, how long do you believe my property will stay on the market? 

  • 2. Knowing the area


    During the vetting process, ask the real estate agent how well they know the area through the following questions.

    A good REA will be an area market expert, one that can conduct market research and analysis to compare different properties and the prices of homes in your area:
     
    • Have you recently helped clients buy or sell properties in this area?
    • What is the average cost of a single-family home in the area?
    • Are you familiar with local shops and restaurants, schools, and parks in this neighborhood?
    • Why have you chosen this area as your specialty market?

  • 3. Agent’s experience in real estate


    An experienced realtor with about five years of experience, good reviews, and references, as well as great listings, should know to explain their sales process to you clearly. That said, every property sale is different, and complications with financing and home inspections do happen. By selecting the right agent, you are setting yourself up for success with someone that has been through the wringer more than once and can help lead you down the path of least resistance. 

    Remember that you, as the consumer, are in control. Work only with an REA that you feel comfortable with, one that can answer your questions. If you are not satisfied, you are always empowered to say ‘No Thank You.’ 

  • Thinking of Buying or Selling? Connect with the right agent to get the job done.


    Over 70% of property buyers and sellers hire the first agent they speak with. We’re here to change that. Agent Avenue is a free resource that allows consumers to post opportunities and compare the service offerings of agents that apply to work with them. Post your opportunity, review agent applicants and connect with those agents that best suits your needs. On Agent Avenue, consumers are in the driver’s seat. For complete details visit www.agentavenue.com

Beware of Guarantees and Avoid Empty Promises 

  • Buying or selling a home can be—and usually is—the most important financial transaction you can make in your lifetime. It can also be quite stressful navigating through the ins-and-outs of the industry. An honest real estate agent, someone you can trust, therefore is pivotal. However, not all agents provide correct information (unfortunately), giving the real estate industry a poor reputation. 

    Agent Avenue’s real estate agent matching tool can help you eliminate that insecurity as it takes a different approach in hiring Realtors. As a consumer, this tool gives you the power to choose the best agent to serve your needs. This helps you avoid empty promises by thoroughly vetting the agent before committing. 

  • How and When Do Agents Mislead?


    Some agents may give the wrong information about their experience or qualifications on their blogs or websites. Some may buy ads or commercial rights to be ranked top on Yahoo and Google search results even though their experience may be limited.

    With Agent Avenue, you’re in control of the hiring process. You can assess an agent’s strengths, skills, experience, marketing strategy, and desire commission, all before you connect with them. At all times during this process, your identity and contact details remain private. It is only when you select to “connect” with an agent that has applied for your opportunity that you and they will then be put in touch with one another. 

  • The Guarantee – “We Will Sell Your House, or We Will Buy It.”


    A new tactic to convince property sellers to work with a particular agent is to guarantee a sale. If the agent cannot sell your home on the open market, they will agree to purchase it for an agreed price. Be wary of this tactic. What may at first come across as a genuine offer may be a disadvantage to you.

    An agent will agree to purchase a home that they cannot sell for a more significant amount than they bought it. The goal of purchasing real estate is to make a profit when you sell it. If an agent is offering to purchase your home if they cannot sell it, it is likely because there are small improvements you could be making to your home from the outset that would make it more attractive for the open market.

    Whether the house needs a fresh coat of paint, new carpet, or an investment to add a second washroom, your agent will see the potential in the property. A good agent will mention these items from the outset. Their goal is to sell your property for the best, highest price possible at the end of the day. Our advice is to be wary of agents that provide a guarantee to sell your home, particularly if they have not already mentioned critical things about your property that could be updated to help you sell faster and for more money. 

  • Experience in Real Estate


    If you cannot find the agent’s website, a blog post, or a reference about their services, the agent is not taking their business seriously. The industry of real estate is a people’s business. Agents make their livelihood by getting out there, meeting new people, and making sure their services are known.

    If you are having a hard time tracking down an agent online, this likely means that they either have little to no experience or they are not a very active agent in the market. As always, it is your choice to work with any agent that you feel most comfortable with, and our advice would be to look for an agent that is active and easy to find.

    An experienced real estate agent should be able to handle issues as they arise and should have the resources and people in place that can help them sort out issues related to mortgage financing, home inspections, and legal matters. 

  • Listings for Real Estate


    Most agents have their personal listings on their websites. However, it would help if you were on the lookout as some agents may advertise listings on their websites that belong to other agents. Please don’t assume that they are personally selling all listings on their site. 

  • Specialty in Real Estate


    Generally, agents advertise what they specialize in, be it a type of property, a specific neighborhood, or the type of sellers and buyers they represent. However, tread carefully. Just because an agent says they specialize in selling penthouses does not mean they have a lot of experience selling those types of properties.

    Agents need to differentiate themselves from the pack to carve out their lane in the industry. When you’re considering hiring an agent that mentions a specialty, be sure to ask them for examples of properties they have sold in that market, housing type, etc.   

  • Real Estate Agent’s License   


    In order for an agent to represent you, they must be licensed. You can determine whether an agent you are considering holds a valid practicing license by visiting the website or contacting your local, provincial, or state licensing division / real estate council. The search can often provide you with details about when the agent first got their license and what brokerages they work with. 

    Some licensing divisions for real estate may give information on whether the license was suspended temporarily or if any complaints had been filed against the agent.

  • Thinking of Buying or Selling? Connect with the right agent to get the job done.


    Over 70% of property buyers and sellers hire the first agent they speak with. We’re here to change that.

    Agent Avenue is a free resource that allows consumers to post opportunities and compare the service offerings of agents that apply to work with them. Post your opportunity, review agent applicants and connect with those agents that best suits your needs. On Agent Avenue, consumers are in the driver’s seat. For complete details visit www.agentavenue.com

Top 10 Questions You Should Be Asking Your Real
Estate Agent Before Hiring Them 

  • To find the best real estate agent for your needs, you need to interview a few first. The interview process will enable you as a seller or a buyer to get to know the agent before doing business. However, you should note that this can be a two-way street: the agent will be interviewing you as well. 

    The following are the top 10 questions that you should ask any real estate agent before hiring them:

  • 1) Are you working full-time in real estate?


    This is the first question that you should ask any potential agent. If they are not working full-time, then that is enough reason to move on to the next agent. This is because availability is a significant factor in real estate, especially in hot markets. You would want to hire someone available full-time to find you a home. 

  • 2) What makes you unique from other agents?


    Agents come with different skill sets, personality types, and work ethic. When finding the perfect candidate, look for one that is not afraid to tell you 'no'. They should be willing to help you find the ideal home in the location and price range you are looking for. 

  • 3) How many clients have you worked with?


    This question will help you understand the experiences that the agent has. It is also worth asking them if they have an active client to know their availability. 

  • 4) Who is part of your team?


    It is essential to know who is part of the agent's team. Be it a mortgage lender, a lawyer, or anyone who will be involved in the transaction. 

  • 5) Do you need a pre-approval before seeing properties? 


    Although being pre-qualified isn't a requirement, a good agent will advise you to speak with a mortgage lender to know whether you are financially qualified to purchase a property. This is also an important step to determine what size of mortgage you can reasonably manage. 

  • 6) Do you have contact information and reviews from previous clients?


    Reviews from other clients about the agents will help you in selecting the right agent. Online reviews are not always to most reliable and may be fake. Some agents with a strong track record for success may be willing to connect you with their past clients. 

  • 7) How will you negotiate?


    The agent should have excellent negotiation skills whether they are helping you to buy or sell a property. The agent should be able to have a win-win attitude and be professional during the negotiation. Their job is to help get you the right price. 

  • 8) Will you be hosting our open houses personally? 


    A new trend in the real estate industry is that agents like working in teams. This can often benefit property sellers because it means more agents will be helping push your listing. This approach can also come with downsides. The rock star agent you hired may rely heavily on his/her junior staff to perform some more day-to-day tasks, like hosting your open houses. 

    The open house is a crucial opportunity for agents to show off the key features and unique details of your property, things that may not be apparent in your listing photos. Insist that the agent representing your property at open houses is knowledgeable about the area where your property is located and is familiar with the finer details of your unique property.  

  • 9) What is your competitive advantage? 


    Strong agents will often have competitive advantages that set them apart from other agents in the market.

    Be wary of agents that cannot identify their competitive advantages. These could be simple things like their strong social media presence, an extensive network of investor contacts, the technology they use, or open availability. If they aren't able to identify why you should be working with them versus other agents in the area, they may not be the right agent for you. 

  • 10) What if I am not satisfied with your service? 


    If you are hiring an agent to sell your property, you will have an agreement to work with your appointed agent for a determined period. If the agent is not meeting your expectations, you as the property seller can refuse to extend the term of the agreement.

    You will want to make sure you discuss your agent's agreement and understand your rights, should things not go as planned. In all cases, if you decide not to extend the current term of the agreement, you are welcome to hire a replacement once the period has lapsed. If you are a property buyer, you are free to work with an agent at any time that you may like. Some agents in specific markets may request that you sign a "representation agreement." As a property buyer, we would recommend avoiding agents that attempt to lock you into working with them. 

  • Final Thoughts 


    Finding the perfect realtor may take a while, but it is worth researching and asking the above questions. These questions will enable you to get a sense of the agent's capabilities, and they will provide you confidence in knowing that you have chosen the right candidate. 

  • Thinking of Buying or Selling? Connect with the right agent to get the job done.


    Over 70% of property buyers and sellers hire the first agent they speak with. We’re here to change that.

    Agent Avenue is a free resource that allows consumers to post opportunities and compare the service offerings of agents that apply to work with them. Post your opportunity, review agent applicants and connect with those agents that best suits your needs. On Agent Avenue, consumers are in the driver’s seat. For complete details visit www.agentavenue.com

Don't Take Offense, It's Just Business 

  • Selling a house is often an enormous undertaking. And while you may feel you are ready to sell your home as it is, in its lived-in state, your real estate agent will inevitably suggest things that you should consider repairing or upgrading before your property hits the market.

    This isn't the agent being difficult or nitpicking. Instead, it is an essential part of selling a home. No matter the current state of the housing market, a home that has recent updates and feels fresh and clean will move often than not, attracting more attention, which will hopefully lead to more offers for your property. Upgraded homes generally sell for more money. Here is a list of some of the best and most common upgrades that will help increase your home's value and appeal.

  • Painting


    One of the easiest ways to give your property a newer feel is to crack open a can of paint. Prospective buyers Appreciate a freshly painted home, one that allows them to visualize what their furniture will look like in the space.

    A fresh coat of paint can rejuvenate dated colors and materials. With painting, it's recommended that you do a color consultation to find the colors that are best suited for your home. Certain homes will look great with a fresh coat of white paint on the walls, but if you own a character home, historical home or one that has a warmer exterior colour, you may want to stick with the theme inside the house to maintain the warmer feeling.

    When it comes to painting rooms in your home before selling, avoid drama, don’t paint the walls purple just because you like the colour purple. Remember, you’re leaving anyway. Paint the home knowing that photos will be taken of the space and posted online. You want those photos to attract as many would-be buyers as possible to help maximize your final sale price.

  • Floors


    Replacing wood or tile flooring can be a much more involved and costly job, so it is vital to consult the relevant professionals to determine if the ultimate payoff is worth doing the job before selling.

    For areas in your home that are carpeted but are showing their age with staining and wear, consider hiring a professional cleaning service to give the carpets a thorough steam cleaning.

    If the outcome is a clean carpet, and you can avoid spending thousands on ripping everything out and replacing them, the couple hundred dollars to hire a cleaning service or rent a carpet steam cleaner will be a good investment. Replacing cracked tiles and damaged wood floorboards can be a harder job to tackle. If you don’t have replacement tiles or extra pieces of wood in the same colour to replace your damaged pieces, it may require you to renovate full rooms at a time.

    This will be a decision that you make with your agent. The goal is to maximize your return. If your home is in real need of some more extensive updates, potential buyers that are considering purchasing are likely to do a large renovation anyway, so the minor repairs you are going to make may not be worth your while.

  • Lighting


    Upgrading lighting fixtures in your home can be one of the best ways to increase its value. Living somewhere for a long time, you may not notice that the home is actually quite dark inside.

    Replacing worn lighting fixtures, light bulbs, and lighting systems can give a new brightness and freshness to your home's interior, making it much more attractive to potential buyers. With advancements in LED technology for lightbulbs, switching to newer bulbs will also help cut back on electrical usage.

  • Driveway


    The driveway leading to your house is important in giving an excellent first impression to potential buyers. With a freshly paved drive, tight brickwork, and a tidy lawn, your home will have great curb appeal and attract more buyers. Heavily damaged driveways that are well past their useful life should be repaired or replaced.

    A potential buyer pulls up to your house and parks on cracked concrete. What impression does that give them on what's to come on the interior of your property?

    Remember, you’ve got a product to sell, and you want to capture the most attention possible to generate multiple offers.

  • Patching and Repairs


    Most homes in the U.S. and Canada use drywall as interior finishing. It’s likely your drywall has suffered some damages over time. This can include larger holes, scratches, dents, and holes from mounting paintings and posters.

    It's crucial to repair these damages with some plaster putty before repainting. You may also want to repair small blemishes, such as broken wall outlets, shaky doorknobs, and locks, to ensure everything in the house is stable and presentable for potential buyers.

  • Conclusion


    There are many upgrades you could consider investing in to help increase the value of your home for a sale. Some larger projects include new roofing, redoing bathrooms, replacing countertops, new sinks and cupboards, even redesigning your floorplan for better flow and use.

    When making upgrades, it is always important not to get carried away. Consult with your agent to get clear advice on what upgrades you can make to have the most significant impact on your sale outcome. Remember, you are in control of your sale, and you should only upgrade things that will have a direct and cost-efficient effect on your home's value.

  • Thinking of Buying or Selling? Connect with the right agent to get the job done.


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