Selling Your Home on Your Own
I read an interesting article this morning regarding Canadian consumers and whether they would engage a Realtor to sell their home verses using a 'self service' company and sell it themselves. Here is an excerpt from the article talking about 'ComFree's Services' that came in from the 'National News'.
... Robert Morrow, Sales Rep: Chase Realty Inc says that ComFree’s services and business model are not new, but the presentation of it is: “It really boils down to consumer education. ComFree is not a "new" service; they've been around since 1997. What's new is the survey they are using to re-introduce a tired model. The survey may or may not be true but what consumers need to know is that until the government changes the laws that govern the real estate industry, a buyer's access to vital information is limited.”
Morrow believes strongly in the necessity of consumer education, so that all facts are gathered and understood before making decisions; “ComFree still doesn't list the home on the MLS and, in fact, limits exposure to their own site. Again, consumer education is required. Unless all the potential buyers out there know about ComFree, what are the odds of a seller's home being seen? Yes, the site works well but it consists of only a small percentage of the total homes for sale in any given area. The MLS shows ALL the homes and that's the site the home needs to be exposed on. When the Competition Bureau caused a change to the MLS last fall allowing sellers to list on the MLS without paying for all the services of a real estate brokerage, they also maintained that only brokerages can do the actual listing--meaning you still need an agent to get on the MLS.”
Sullivan states that this business model is geared to save homeowners commission; "We offer everything homeowners need to sell their home commission-free and save thousands of dollars. This unique positioning is immediately apparent in ComFree's new slogan 'Committed Without Commission."
Morrow defends the value in retaining the services of a Realtor: "The odds of selling a home without involving an agent are very slim. If the house is priced perfectly, is in the perfect location, and the timing is perfect, then it could and often does work. The problem is that most homes don't fit that situation. And that's why you need professional help; not just to "sell" a not-so-perfect home, but to promote it quickly and get as many potential buyers through the home in the shortest amount of time, so that the odds are in your favour. The generic brokerage model (meaning all models where the brokerage is registered with RECO) is by far the most effective way to do that.”.....
We are always interested in your viewpoint and feedback regarding this and other topics that you read in our blog. Feel free to call or email us.
Shay and I look forward to working together with you and helping your to achieve your Real Estate goals.
Barbie and Shay
Barbie 604 741.1239
Shay 604 989.9888
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