[Buff]

I'm using a real estate agent for the purchase of my new house and also for the sale of my current house. I know that it isn't the best time of year to get quick results but I can't help but wonder if I'm getting the best advice, if any, from my agent.

When you are selling a house, what does a good agent do for you? Obviously he/she will check out your house to see what it is like so he/she can get an idea of what it is worth. How much do they check it out? Mine just did a quick walk through, not paying close attention to detail. He showed me comparables and recommended what I can get for my house. So he listed it and has had several open houses, but he himself has never showed it to another of his clients. I remember when I bought my house the agent (who has since moved ot Calgary) showed us lots of houses, including many that he himself was listing.

I've said to my agent many times "We're getting showings but no offers, what can I do to my house to make it more attractive". His response is always "Nothing, it shows nicely". We've done a lot of cleaning and tidying up to make it look more clean and open but our agent hasn't given us any indication of things that may be a turn off to prospective buyers.

I was under the impression that real estate agents will do a walk through with or without you and take notes and give you recommendations on what you need to clean, tidy or fix up to prepare to sell your house. I haven't got any of that.

The house I'm buying is conditional to the sale of my current house by a certain date and that date is fast approaching. I'm worried I'm going to lose out on this house because I'm not getting the best advice.

Am I expecting too much or just experiencing the frustrations of trying to quickly sell a house during the slow time of year?