“The home sold itself and we didn't need an
agent or an Open House." That was the succinct
post mortem offered by Normita and
Vincent Negre after selling their Riverbend two-storey
for their full asking price in just five days.
The young couple had not sold a home through
ComFree before and were considering hiring an agent.
But in March they decided to use ComFree. One reason:
an agent would have cost them about $17,000 in commission.
The Negres and their four children are moving to
Calgary in July. They were impressed that ComFree
only charged $699 for all services, including broad
exposure in their magazine and high-volume website.
"We got an idea of the valuation from an agent, but
also checked out similar houses, including those by
ComFree," says Vincent, an information technology specialist.
"We were very impressed by the professionalism and speedy
service ComFree gave us. They had really sound advice when we
needed questions answered."
After decluttering the house, they decided to hold an Open House
Saturday and Sunday. Barely had their listing gone online and their
For Sale sign gone up when the phone began ringing. And it kept
on ringing.
"Our sign went up on Monday and one couple wanted to come
around right away," says Normita. "I persuaded them to wait until
Tuesday. They showed up and were very keen to buy."
She persuaded many other callers to wait for the weekend Open
House, but the plot moved faster than that. The first couple were
happy to offer the full price, conditional on a building inspector
report.
It was a quandary: to cancel the Open House on the following
Saturday or to go ahead with it? ComFree quickly advised to keep
the Open House unless all conditions had been lifted.
Normally, home inspections take a while, but this one was rushed
through and the inspector gave the potential buyers the all-clear
Saturday, just hours before the Open House. Result: two very happy
purchasers. And a relieved and delighted Normita and Vincent
Negre.
by Peter Carlyle Gordge
"We were amazed how quickly it sold and how professionally and
promptly ComFree answered all our questions," says Normita.
"A couple of houses near here were also for sale, but using
agents," says Normita. "Ours sold in just five days and since then
we've had a call from another neighbour asking just how we did it.
He's thinking of selling and will be using ComFree now."
Vincent says using ComFree makes economic sense. "If you're
saving $17,000, you can lower your asking price and still end up
with a lot more money than if you had to pay an agent's commission,"
he says. "Selling your own place also makes sense because
you know the history of the home better than any agent and you
can accurately answer any questions from potential buyers."
Agents did call wanting to list their home. "We had one or two of
them call us. One claimed he had a qualified buyer and would
charge us no commission, but he did want a little fee of $2,000,"
adds Normita. "We refused and told him everyone was welcome at
the Open House.”
