David Visentin

Early Life and Entry into Real Estate

David Visentin was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, as one of four siblings in a family deeply involved in real estate. His father, Nick Visentin, was a working realtor who founded the family realty firm, Country Living Realty, establishing a strong business foundation. After graduating from West Humber Collegiate Institute, David's initial ambition was to pursue acting and attend theatre school, a plan his father opposed. Nick Visentin persuaded his son to obtain a real estate license as a practical backup plan, a path David's brothers and sister had also taken, with the understanding that he could still pursue theatre if he had the license secured. Obtaining a license in Ontario at the time was estimated to take roughly six weeks, a relatively short commitment that led David to follow suit. He earned his license and began his professional real estate career in 1987, working as an agent under the family business, Country Living Realty, in Barrie, Ontario, while working alongside his father and learning the trade from the ground up.

Television Career on <em>Love It or List It</em>

David Visentin's major break in television came when he auditioned for the new series Love It or List It, produced by Big Coat Productions (now Big Coat Media). Designer Hilary Farr was the first to be cast, and Visentin was subsequently selected as the realtor co-host after a successful audition. He recalled casting producers telling him, “You’re brilliant. We want you. We think you’re going to make Hilary look good,” highlighting the producers' vision for their competitive chemistry. The show premiered on the Canadian W Network on September 8, 2008, with Visentin and Farr sharing co-hosting duties as rivals representing opposing solutions for homeowners. Visentin's role was to convince homeowners to sell, or 'list', their current property by showing them a series of alternative homes that could sway them to leave, while Farr attempted to renovate their existing home within an agreed budget. In a 2023 interview with People magazine, both hosts agreed that their good-natured on-screen bickering was a key ingredient in the series' enduring popularity and success over many seasons.

After 19 seasons as a core duo, Hilary Farr announced her decision to leave the show in 2023, leading to a production hiatus while producers searched for her replacement. This period of uncertainty ended in 2025 when Page Turner was announced as Farr's successor, taking on the role of designer and Visentin's new rival co-host prior to the show's 20th season launch. This transition marked a significant new chapter for the long-running series, with Visentin remaining as the constant real estate expert and familiar face for the audience. The show's format, built on the tension between renovation and relocation, continued with this new dynamic, ensuring its place in Canadian television.

Key Milestones for Love It or List It with David Visentin:

• 2008: Series premiere on W Network on September 8.
• 2008 to 2023: Co-hosts 19 seasons with designer Hilary Farr.
• 2023: Hilary Farr announces her departure. Production goes on hiatus.
• 2025: Page Turner announced as new co-host and designer.
• 2025 onward: 20th season launches with Visentin and Turner.

Other Media Appearances and Commentary

Beyond his primary role on Love It or List It, David Visentin has leveraged his real estate expertise into numerous guest appearances on Canadian and American television and radio programs. He has served as a contributor or guest on a variety of popular talk shows, using these platforms to discuss housing trends and offer home buying advice. His media engagements demonstrate a consistent effort to reach broader audiences and translate complex market issues into accessible commentary. His analysis has also been sought by major news organizations looking for expert perspectives on economic shifts affecting homeowners and buyers across the continent.

Select Media Appearances and Contributions:

• Television: Guest contributor on The Marilyn Denis Show, Harry, The Kelly Clarkson Show, and The Today Show.
• Radio: Guest commentator on Fox News Radio discussing COVID-19 pandemic effects on housing and renovations.
• Print/Digital: Contributor for the Canadian Press and Time magazine.

Personal Life and Background

David Visentin is of Italian and Scottish descent, reflecting Canada's multicultural heritage. He maintains a strong connection to the community in Barrie, Ontario, where he has lived and worked for decades since beginning his real estate career there in 1987. He resides there with his wife and their son, balancing his public television career with a private family life in the same region where he conducts his business. His personal and professional life remains centred in Ontario, with a commitment to the community he serves both on and off screen.

Professional Real Estate Career

David Visentin's television persona is authentically rooted in his genuine, decades-long career as a licensed real estate agent in Ontario. This real-world expertise forms the foundational credibility for his on-screen arguments and client consultations on Love It or List It, where he assesses property values and market viability. His career trajectory demonstrates a unique and successful blend of family business tradition and mass media success, using his national platform to educate viewers on market dynamics and the realities of buying and selling homes. The family business, Country Living Realty, operated by his father Nick Visentin, provided the initial training ground that prepared him for both his professional practice and his eventual television role.

Career Timeline:

• 1987: Obtains real estate license and begins career as an agent with Country Living Realty in Barrie, Ontario.
• 1987 onward: Works alongside his father, Nick Visentin, at the family firm.
• 2008: Auditions for and is cast in Love It or List It, launching his television career.
• 2008-Present: Balances television hosting with ongoing real estate practice.
• 2023 to 2025: Continues as the constant real estate expert on Love It or List It during co-host transition.

Questions about David Visentin

Who is David Visentin?

David Visentin is a Canadian actor, reality television personality, realtor and commentator. He is best known as the co-host of the reality television series Love It or List It on HGTV. He began his real estate career in 1987 working as an agent under his family business Country Living Realty in Barrie, Ontario. His father, Nick Visentin, is a working realtor who started that firm. On the show, Visentin's role is to convince home owners to list their home, competing against the designer. He has also contributed to various news services and publications such as the Canadian Press and Time magazine.

What happened to Hilary Farr on Love It or List It?

Hilary Farr announced her decision to leave Love It or List It in 2023 after 19 seasons with the show. This led to a production hiatus while producers searched for her replacement. In 2025, Page Turner was announced as Farr's successor. Turner took on the role of designer and Visentin's rival competitor prior to the show's 20th season launch. Farr was the first person cast for the show, with Visentin being the second. Their good natured bickering was agreed to have contributed to the series' success.

Where is David Visentin from?

David Visentin was born and raised in Toronto, Canada. He currently resides in Barrie, Ontario, with his wife and son. He is of Italian and Scottish descent. He attended and graduated from West Humber Collegiate Institute in Toronto. His professional real estate career has long been based in Barrie, where he began working for his father's firm, Country Living Realty, in 1987.

Is David Visentin a real realtor?

Yes, David Visentin is a real realtor. He obtained his real estate license in Ontario and began his career in 1987. He worked as an agent under his family business Country Living Realty in Barrie, Ontario, alongside his father. His father initially persuaded him to pursue his real estate license as a backup career, though David had wanted to pursue acting. All of his siblings also obtained their real estate licenses. His genuine profession directly informs his television role where he shows homeowners alternative listings.

When did Love It or List It first air?

Love It or List It premiered on the Canadian W Network on September 8, 2008. The show was produced by the Canadian television production company Big Coat Productions, now Big Coat Media. From its premiere, it featured David Visentin and Hilary Farr as co-hosts sharing hosting duties as competitive rivals. Visentin was cast after Farr, with casting producers telling him he would make Hilary look good. The show's original dynamic continued for 19 seasons until Farr's departure.

Has David Visentin been on other TV shows?

Yes, David Visentin has appeared on other television programs beyond Love It or List It. He has served as a guest or contributor on various morning news and talk show programs. These include The Marilyn Denis Show, Harry, The Kelly Clarkson Show and The Today Show. He has also joined Fox News Radio as a guest, discussing topics like the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the housing market. He contributes to publications like the Canadian Press and Time magazine.

Sources and further reading

• David Visentin (Wikipedia)
• David Visentin (vcm.bc.ca)

Checked by the Yadude Books desk. Last updated 2026-10-23.