Concrete Leveling for Realtors: What You Need to Know
December 12th, 2022 | 4 min. read
By Sarah Etler
Learn how to reduce friction during home sales and improve a home’s curb appeal with concrete leveling.
Managing a hectic schedule, coordinating marketing efforts, and advising home buyers and sellers on the best course of action in a constantly-changing housing market is just a small sample of all the things you as a real estate agent are responsible for on a daily basis.
With the varying to-do lists and the many hats you must wear, having reliable and convenient ways to reduce obstacles during the home buying and selling processes is crucial to making the most of your time.
While not widely known, concrete leveling is a fantastic way for realtors to help reduce friction during a sale, as it makes an easy and convenient way to eliminate some common concerns that are flagged during home inspections and noticed when potential buyers are assessing a home for the first time.
Rather than the sale getting tied up in negotiations about concrete replacement or the sale price lowering due to concrete that needs to be fixed, concrete leveling is a process that can leave your clients free from trip hazards, uneven step heights, and sunken concrete slabs, usually in less than a day.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about concrete leveling for realtors, including what concrete leveling really is, why it’s especially great for real estate agents, the benefits of concrete leveling for selling a home, and some additional services realtors should be aware of.
What is concrete leveling?
Concrete leveling is the process of lifting slabs of concrete that have settled over time, either by erosion of the material below them, or by natural compaction of that material. This is a normal occurrence, and it doesn’t mean anything is wrong with the concrete itself.
Instead of replacing the settled concrete that is otherwise completely fine, a professional concrete leveling crew will drill small holes in the slab and pump a strong compound underneath, lifting it into a level position.
Here at A-1 Concrete Leveling, we use a leveling compound with all-natural ingredients, including agricultural limestone, so it’s safe for plants and pets. It’s also very easy to clean off any surfaces when the leveling process is finished.
Why is concrete leveling good for real estate agents?
Concrete leveling is a great tool for realtors to keep in their back pocket. It’s an inexpensive fix for clients’ homes that can yield large results during the home sale process.
Increased Curb Appeal
It goes without saying that the curb appeal of a home is a huge factor in how quickly it sells, and how much it sells for. Homes that look better are more inviting and make a better impression on potential buyers.
If they have to watch out for sunken sidewalk slabs, try not to trip over the uneven front steps, and feel like they’re going to slide off the front porch that’s gone out of level, they’re likely not going to enter the house with a good feeling.
Concrete leveling can help lift the areas back to as close to their original positions as possible, making the concrete look better and safer. In addition to lifting concrete, A-1 Concrete Leveling can also clean and seal it, helping dark, dirty driveways look new again.
Decreased Friction During Sale
If the seller doesn’t make any of the necessary repairs throughout their property before a home inspection or before they get an offer on their home, there will certainly be some friction during the sale. Repair negotiations and inspection delays can slow down the process considerably.
If you can recommend an easy fix like concrete leveling to a client who has obvious problems with their concrete, like trip hazards or sinking areas, it can minimize the delays, setbacks, and a potentially lower sale price later in the process.
It’s important to point out that many people don’t know that concrete leveling is an option, so a buyer would likely try to negotiate the cost of total replacement into the sale price, which is usually far more expensive than spending the money on the front end for concrete leveling.
Why is concrete leveling good for selling a home?
If concrete is in good condition, it generally reduces fear for the person purchasing the home. People often associate concrete movement with foundation movement, even though they are not always correlated.
Beyond the reasons concrete leveling is great for real estate agents mentioned in the previous section, there are also reasons that concrete leveling is great for selling a home in general.
1. It’s fast, cost-effective, and hassle-free
Concrete leveling can be done within a matter of hours, depending on the complexity and size of the repair. It’s also very affordable, with up to 70% savings over the cost of concrete replacement, and it doesn’t come with all the hassle of demolition and long curing times.
Concrete leveling is done with a few simple but specialized tools and a truck small enough to access most work sites without trouble.
2. It shows the buyer that the seller is proactive
If the first impression a prospective buyer gets when walking up to a home is a well-maintained lawn and clean, level concrete, it shows that the seller resolves issues when they arise and makes sure their property is well taken care of.
With this first impression in mind, they’ll be touring your home feeling more confident about the home’s condition and proactive upkeep.
3. There’s a transferable warranty
Depending on the concrete repair company they go with, your client will likely receive a warranty that transfers to the new homeowner when they sell. This can be a great selling point, in addition to the nice-looking and safe concrete.
Here at A-1 Concrete Leveling, we offer a transferrable warranty on concrete leveling work that passes on to the new homeowner, so they can rest assured that the repair will last.
Other Useful Services for Realtors
Concrete Cleaning and Sealing
Concrete cleaning and sealing is another great way to enhance the curb appeal of a home. Cleaning the concrete removes any dingy stains and makes it look bright again. Sealing it with a high-quality sealer can also be turned into a selling point, especially since many penetrating sealers only have to be reapplied every 5-10 years.
Concrete Caulking
Concrete caulking is another service that can improve the appearance of concrete. Instead of having multiple ugly breaks and cracks throughout the concrete’s surface, caulking can help them look cohesive and uniform, as well as protect the concrete from further damage.
What’s next?
When you do your first walkthrough of the next home you sell and notice that the concrete could use a little TLC, you can now recommend concrete leveling to the client in order to make the sale process as friction-free as possible.
Here at A-1 Concrete Leveling, we know how convenient and cost-effective concrete leveling can be, especially for those selling their homes. Over the last thirty years, we’ve been working with sellers, real estate agents, and regular homeowners to provide safe, level concrete for an affordable price.
If you are a real estate agent looking for more information about concrete leveling in general, or on behalf of a particular client, don’t hesitate to contact us.
We also have many additional resources to help you learn about concrete leveling and more in our Concrete Academy. Here are some related topics:
Sarah Etler joined A-1 Concrete Leveling after receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Northern Kentucky University. As A-1's Content Marketing Manager, she works closely with industry experts to produce content that will best answer questions related to concrete repair and maintenance practices. Sarah loves living a life full of discovery and is excited every day to see what new things she can learn and share with those around her.
