I’m selling with HomeFree – how do I deal with Agents? 

If you’re selling with homeFree, you chose to save commissions, keep control of the sale and make your real estate experience better.  Don’t let anyone convince you otherwise! 

Even if you are using homeFree, some buyers insist on using an agent to purchase a home. This is their decision, and not yours. As such, buyers who come with an agent should expect to pay more than a buyer who comes direct with no agent.

Here are some things to keep in mind when contacted by an agent with a prospective buyer:

1. When speaking with an agent, make sure you let them know upfront that you’re selling your home with homeFree and you’re not interested in paying full commissions.
2. There are a few options for how to negotiate with agents:

• You could tell them what your bottom line is and anything above that number can be paid as a commission.  This may mean the buyer has to offer full asking price for the home.
• You could let the agent know that you will pay a flat fee of $x if they bring a buyer with an acceptable offer.
• You can tell the agent that you have priced your home without factoring in any commission and since the buyer decided to use an agent, they will have to be responsible for any buyers agent commissions owed from the sale. 
• In the event that you built in a full 3.5%/1.5% buyers commission into your asking price, this allows you flexibility to work with a buyers agent AND give you the opportunity to be more flexible with an unrepresented buyer where you can both benefit without paying any commissions.

3.  Be professional and  courteous.  Remember that licensed associates are just trying to do their job; you are also trying to sell your home as quickly as possible while keeping as much equity in your pocket.

Agent Myths

What if an agent says they can get me more money?

If anyone tells you that they can get you more money for your home than you could get on your own, that’s simply not true.  Why would a buyer pay more because a house is listed with a different brokerage on REALTOR.ca? All homeFree listings are marketed in the same place as they would be with any brokerage including MLS and REALTOR.ca. Also, it is against the code of conduct for an agent to solicit a seller who is already listed on the MLS  

What if an agent says I need a real estate agent to help me set my asking price?

An agent’s “Free Evaluation” is not free when they charge you an average of $19,000 in commissions.** homeFree offers decent sales which you can use in conjunction with doing a few minutes of market research on your own.  Additionally, homeFree works with a preferred Licensed Appraisal firm, who can complete a desktop appraisal of your home for only $197+GST.  (Remember, buyer financing is based on appraised value, not a Realtor’s market evaluation).

I was told I might make a mistake on the contract and potentially lose my home – is this true? 

Whether you sell through an agent or homeFree, a lawyer is the professional who looks after the entire transaction.  homeFree’s partner law firm will help you and/or your buyer with the Offer to Purchase free of charge.  Additionally, homeFree clients have the benefit of FREE legal review of their contract by our preferred lawyer. *  It’s called the Worry-Free Offer to Purchase Program.  It’s FREE, and it’s exclusive to homeFree!

*Consumers are free to chose a professional of their choice.

** Based on 7/3 split on $475,000 sale price.