Right now, there’s a fight between Comfree services and the traditional real estate agent model. But both sides exaggerate… The truth is, if you sell with Comfree you probably won’t save a ton of money, and if you sell without an agent you probably won’t get sued. So, let’s take a closer look at what a Realtor actually does to sell your home for top dollar.

8 Things homeowners must consider before selling their home without a real estate agent:

• Let us start with the fact that most qualified, serious buyers are working with an agent. That agent expects to get paid 2.5% of the sale price for their months of hard work. Keep in mind, the work of a good buyer’s agent comes after they have shown the home. Buying a home is an emotional purchase, and an agent helps guide Buyers through that purchase. The Buyer’s agent is a market specialist, and has seen all the homes the Buyer viewed. The Buyer’s agent helps them decide to place an offer on your home. If you reduce the commission you’re offering the Buyer’s agent, that agent will reduce their effort to sell your home.

• Comfree models are working in our hot market, but Comfree’s one-solution-fits-all approach to listing homes does not achieve the highest sales price. The money you save not hiring a listing agent is negated by the loss in sales price. A local Realtor has unmatched insight into your community, the real estate market, and your specific home. Buyers and Buyer’s Agents rely on the Listing Agent to justify a home’s price. Even the most knowledgable homeowner cannot replicate this insight.
  

  Full-service brokerages have insight into your areas most searched keywords, and we tailor your listing to what your buyer is looking for.

• Like most storied brands — Tiffanies, Sotheby’s, Hermes, Cartier, Rolex — the name on the label, or sign on the lawn, influences the customer’s view of the product or service. Comfree listings carry a notion that the Sellers are trying to save money or aren’t serious about selling. Buyers will either offer less for Comfree listings, or they will move onto a home represented by a brand that ensures a smooth and successful transaction.

• One of the many hats Realtors were is: Marketer. At Sotheby’s, we have a dedicated marketing department that gives us the web’s most searched keywords and images. We have stringent guidelines for photography, videography, and even write-ups, so our homes are represented in their best light. When homeowners write up their own listing description, often they write about what’s important to them and not what Buyers are actually looking for in a home.

• A successfully self-employed Realtor has better market insight, advice, negotiation skills and experience compared to a Realtor employed on salary for a company. Being a Realtor can be very lucrative, however, in the GTA the majority of agents sell less than 6 homes a year. Which is why they become Comfree consultants. The old adage goes: “If you can’t do it, teach it.” Let’s also say, “You get what you pay for.” Check out our blog: What Does It Cost To Hire A Good Realtor.

• Different Realtors have different areas of expertize. Something we’ve always stressed is our international sales experience. We’ve lived on and sold properties across three continents. We can put the sales experience into words new-to-Canada families can understand. It’s our international background that guided us to an international brand like Sotheby’s International Realty. Communication is key to successfully selling your home for top dollar.

• When it comes to selling your home, it’s usually the people that voice their objections that are most interested. We always say, “Objections are a sales persons best friend”, because they give us a clear indication of who’s interested in the home. An interested Buyer usually passes comments about the price or required upgrades. Addressing these comments objectively is vital to converting the lead into a buyer. When Realtors are selling their personal homes, sometimes they hire a friend in the industry to handle the negotiation process. That’s because selling your own home can be a very emotionally charged process, especially when the Buyer is trying to knock down the price. It’s very important to keep your “cool” if you want to get the most money out of the Buyers

• Safety is a top concern in today’s world. While For-Sale-By-Owner models can screen showings for you, they don’t offer you the full protection a traditional Realtor can. Realtors aren’t just experienced and educated, they are also backed by a brokerage and carry errors and ommissions insurance. If you make an error while selling your home, you are liable to pay damages and legal fees. If your Realtor makes an error while selling your home, they are liable for damages and legal costs.

While services like Comfee offer Sellers access to the coveted Realtor.ca and MLS systems, they won’t get you the highest sales price for your home. Realtors bring a wealth of experience, education, and skills, but they also have a support system, and errors and omissions insurance. Contact us today to get a free consultation of our services and commissions.