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Things couldn’t be rosier right now for Diane Poulin. She works for the non-profit Winnipeg Harvest and plans to move to a new home with her boyfriend, Clay, in late September.
"In the space of just three weeks we bought a home through ComFree and we each sold a home using ComFree," she says. "Between us, we saved about $15,000 in real estate commissions and we were truly impressed by the speed and professionalism of the company."
Diane’s happy story began when she and her boyfriend bought a home from a couple who listed with ComFree. "They had sold two homes privately and told us we ought to try ComFree," she says. "My boyfriend put his home on the market with ComFree, held two open houses and sold it in just six days after getting four written offers." Listed at $159,900, the home’s sale realized a little over the asking price.
Diane’s own home is a two-bedroom bungalow in old St. Vital with a modern kitchen and bathroom. On a 50 x 102-foot lot, the home is a perfect starter with a bright living room with oak flooring and a large picture window.
Diane put it on the market for $108,900 and in just five days sold it for substantially more than the asking price. "I bought the $699 ComFree package and reckon I saved at least $7,000 in real estate fees," she says. "I sold it in one day less than my boyfriend sold his!"
What most impressed her was the efficiency, professionalism and courtesy of ComFree staff: "I called on a Wednesday and got a real person, not an answering machine," she says. "They told me their magazine deadline was on the Friday, but a ComFree consultant came to see me Thursday evening and they got me in the next issue."
She was also impressed that ComFree staff answered every question she threw at them and always got back to her with answers. "I gave them some photographs at nine one morning and by noon
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they had them on their website," she says. "In just a few days my ComFree web ad had 300 visits, so it’s obviously well read. I love the fact you can see how many people have read the listing."
Diane held Open Houses Saturday and Sunday and received two written offers at each. So, just five days after listing, the house was sold. Diane lives on a limited salary, so saving thousands in commission was important to her.
"This is a hot seller’s market because there just aren’t a lot of two-bedroom starter homes like this," she says. "When you sell it yourself it’s also kind of fun. ComFree staff told me everything I needed to know, so there’s no need to be nervous. You also have a lot more control over things when you sell it this way because you decide when people can view it."
She says she only accepted a written offer that came via a lawyer: "ComFree has a list of lawyers and there is no charge when you use one to make an offer, unless that offer is accepted. That alone can save you a lot."
Her advice to anyone thinking of selling or buying is to list privately. "Right now there is a strong demand for homes, especially in the range of $90,000 to $120,000. It isn’t difficult to sell it yourself and there’s a good chance it will be gone in a week or so if it’s in good condition."
Her other advice is to ensure your home is clutter-free. "It’s a good idea to wash the windows and make sure the sun can get it and make things sparkle. Keeping a place tidy is a chore, but when you have an Open House with everyone coming at a time you control it’s easier than if you have agents dropping in all the time with prospective buyers."
She is still surprised how quickly and smoothly things went and says her boyfriend is equally delighted with his own selling experience. Both are now happily packing for their new home on Norfolk Avenue in the same St. Vital neighbourhood.
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After selling quickly for a premium, Diane and her dogs will be moving to another ComFree-listed home
