Realogy and HomeAdvisor Partner to Start New Home Improvement Program
Our parent company, Realogy Holdings, has announced a partnership with HomeAdvisor to create RealVitalize, a program to improve homes before hitting the market. Realogy is the largest provider of residential real estate services. HomeAdvisor is an online marketplace for all things home, pairing homeowners with contractors, whether it be handyman work or remodeling services. HomeAdvisor, who purchased Angie’s List in 2017, has a full repertoire of subcontractors nationwide.
RealVitalize is a program designed to pair home sellers with contractors to improve their home with no upfront costs and no interest charges. Should a homeowner take advantage of this program, Realogy will cover the costs of the repairs and will be repaid once the home closes. There are no fees to take part in the program nor is there a minimum listing price of the home. This is a great program to allow sellers get more bang for their buck. To get started, the agent working with the homeowner will connect them with a HomeAdvisor project consultant to discuss the project. The dedicated consultant will then connect the homeowner with the contractors and work hand in hand with both parties from start to finish.
The pilot program is currently available in a few select markets through one of Realogy’s brand through Coldwell Banker. Operating in Tampa and Orlando, Florida, Columbus, Ohio, and Denver, Realogy and HomeAdvisor have plans for a nationwide rollout by next year.
HomeAdvisor is the nation’s most trusted site for contractors, and largest since its purchase of Angie’s List. HomeAdvisor pre-screens the contractors, ensuring they are licensed and bonded. Companies must apply to be part of HomeAdvisor and then go through a litany of processes and search, including criminal records and lawsuits. As many may know, Angie’s List offers a similar platform. However, Angie’s List also provides ratings and reviews by users.
This is Realogy’s second announced partnership to enhance the home buying and selling experience. Earlier this year, Realogy partnered with Amazon to assist Amazon customers buy a home. The TurnKey program allows customers to provide details about what type of home they’re looking to buy and pairs them with a Realogy agent. Once the home closes, TurnKey users receive a benefit package that consists of Amazon’s smart home products and a credit towards new home services like cleaners or installation of the smart home products.