I am a firm believer in home renovation. Upgrading your home is one of the most profitable decisions you can make. Not only does this provide a sense of accomplishment, home upgrades influence the aesthetic appeal of your home which will pay off when it comes time to sell your property. Let me share with you a success story of my own which will provide further validation of the benefit of renovation and property upgrade.
Business franchises tend to come across as generic and agnate in their appearance. Function of the environment is generally placed above visual appeal. However, to truly set a franchise apart from the competition both of these characteristics must operate coincidently. The Prudential Select Real Estate Franchise in Bolton, I feel, has successfully embraced this concept.
Property owners familiar with renovations and construction have a distinct advantage over those that do not when revamping is needed to increase revenues. Using these skills will allow franchise owners of any business or property to revamp their facilities cheaply and effectively. I was lucky enough to be able to use this advantage when relocating and renovating my franchise.
When I started in the business in January of 1989, I knew that times were changing and so was the industry. Therefore, I appropriated a long-term plan to relocate and revamp the Bolton office in hopes of establishing the franchise as a distinguished place to conduct business.
Since my beginnings in the field, the Bolton real estate franchise has had three corporate changes. In 1989 the Bolton office was operating under the title of Family Trust Realty Corporation, with a shift in Canadian ownership in 1994, the Bolton office now operated under the name Family Realty Corporation. In 1996 the name was finally changed to Prudential Select Realty Corporation, an affiliate of Prudential Insurance Corporation which operates out of the United States, but functions independently of that faction. The corporate changes to the franchise title produced a change in management and ownership in the Bolton office.
In January of 2003, the opportunity arose for Prudential Select Real Estate to relocate to a new building in downtown Bolton. Twenty-three Mill Street, the former Ontario Hydro building, which we had had an eye on for many years, finally went up for sale and we jumped at the chance to purchase it. The building needed some major renovations to harbor my vision, but I felt the intended outcome would generate a major boom in sales. I knew renovations were in order and the benefit would outweigh the costs. Construction began in late January after the building plans and finances had been benefited.
During the renovation period agents in the office were forced to move their work areas repeatedly to compensate for the construction. I think everyone knew that the outcome of the renovations would be well worth the minor inconveniences. The drive to achieve my goal was only enhanced by the minor inconveniences that went with running an office and conducting the renovations. My innovative plan to relocate the franchise was followed through from the first pounded nail, to the final coat of paint. We envisioned an office that made our clients feel comfortable in a home environment while our agents worked with them to find their perfect home.
Upon completion on October 30, 2003, just ten months after initial renovations commenced, the Prudential Select Real Estate office had its grand opening, inviting business owners and politicians from the community to join in the celebration. The building welcomed over four-hundred visitors and was widely praised. The most influential attendant was Bernie Vogt, Canadian president of operations and franchise relocation for Prudential Select Real Estate Affiliates. The conceptual design of the building brings a new look and feel to the franchise. The look inspires a feeling of warmth and comfort, feelings that will assure that our clients will feel comfortable and certain that Prudential Select is the right choice when purchasing a home.
Since the opening, the building has received much community acclaim. Premier Ernie Eves sent a letter to the office proclaiming his support and admiration of the changes. Bolton Mayor Marolyn Morrison also attended the opening giving credit to myself and my employees for our ambitious efforts to improve Bolton’s downtown decor.
In December of 2003 the Prudential Select Real Estate office of Bolton was nominated for an award of excellence for outstanding corporate improvements in the Caledon area. Prudential Select won the award (Building Improvement Award of the Year, 2004) and attributed most of its success to the innovative design and efforts that were applied to the franchise.
-I had hoped with the upgrade our clients would feel that the new building is more approachable. The grand fireplace at the entrance attracts homebuyers to the facility and the selection of top agents instills a feeling of certainty to the home purchasing process.
I believe that with a plan, a dream and an understanding of the benefits of property upgrade, anyone is able to accomplish their desired renovation, improve their home aesthetic, and ultimately have something to show for it when it comes time to sell your property.
