Comfree Private Sales - For Sale By Owner

Click here to view Dispelling Common Misconceptions

**Please note if your question is not covered below, please call our office
at 444-3131. We are available to answer your questions Monday to Friday 8:30 AM - 10:00 PM and 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM Saturday, Sunday and Statutory Holidays.

Sellers:
What does "ComFree" stand for?
What is the process to get my home listed on ComFree?
What percentage of the Greater Edmonton area market does ComFree represent?
When is payment due?
Why should I use ComFree rather than a real estate agent to sell my home
Agents say they can get a higher price for my home. Is this true?
How fast are homes selling when listed on ComFree?
What is the Success Rate for homes listed with ComFree?
How do I know what to ask for my home? Does ComFree offer "Free Market Evaluations"?
Buyers:
How do I view a home listed with ComFree?
How do I sign up for email notifications for all new ComFree listings?
How do I make an Offer on a ComFree home?

SELLERS:

What does "ComFree" stand for?

ComFree stands for "Commission-Free" so when a house sells through ComFree, the owner puts all the money from the sale in their own pocket rather than paying the high cost of a commissioned real estate agent. Conversely, if seller is motivated more by time than money, they can use the commission savings to price the home more competitively to sell faster.

What is the process to get my home listed on ComFree?

Call our office 7-days/week to have any of your questions answered. Once you have decided to list your home with ComFree, a consultant will be sent to the home to take room dimensions, photograph inside and out, and note features of each room in the home. We will then do a detailed write-up, create your web page, print your highlight sheets, and install your sign on the front lawn. We'll also deliver you all the supporting documentation you need and explain it in fully. You will then be published in the next edition of the ComFree Magazine every issue until your home is SOLD or a maximum of 6 months whichever comes first.

What percentage of the Greater Edmonton area market does ComFree represent?

With over 1,000 active listings, and 500 to 700+ new properties available for sale each month on our website and in the ComFree Magazine; ComFree now represents approximately 30% of the residential real estate market in Edmonton and area.
This statistic changes monthly. Please see our 'Monthly Reports'

When is payment due?

Payment is due at your appointment. The majority of our work is done up front and so payment is taken upfront. Your advertising is then good until your home sells up to a maximum of six months. But remember, any home that takes six months to sell is simply priced too high.

Why should I use ComFree rather than a real estate agent to sell my home?

In the past it typically was difficult to market a home privately because there was no method of on-going exposure, so an agent was the popular choice.

Now, ComFree has developed a system for selling a home that has achieved success that gives sellers numerous advantages; the most obvious is that you do not have to pay the high cost of a commissioned real estate agent.

Along with the financial benefits, ComFree has consistently out-performed the agents' listing service from month to month, year after year, making the choice obvious. More and more homebuilders are using ComFree to sell their spec homes, our office even gets calls from people who tell us they have a family member who is an agent and even they recommended using ComFree. Now that's a testimonial that can't be beaten!

Agents say they can get a higher price for my home. Is this true?

If this statement were true, then think about it from a buyer's perspective: If homes always sell for more money through a real estate agent, why would you want to buy through one? This would mean that if you use an agent to buy a home, you'd be paying more for the home than it is worth. The bottom line is, a home is only worth what the market is willing to pay for it, whether it is sold through ComFree or any other service.

How fast are homes selling when listed on ComFree?

This number changes depending on the time of year. In the busy months of spring and summer, this number is typically lower, while in the calmer winter months the average days on market may rise.
This statistic changes monthly. Please see our 'Monthly Reports'

What is the Success Rate for homes listed with ComFree?

Although this number varies from month to month, typically over 85% of houses listed with ComFree, sell with NO real estate agent involved, and often for or above asking price. So imagine a $697 investment that had an 85% chance of giving you a $15,000 return on investment. The real question is; why wouldn't you choose to sell with ComFree?

How do I know what to ask for my home? Does ComFree offer "Free Market Evaluations"?

The quick answer: ComFree offers an appraisal through a licensed appraiser in 2 out of our 3 packages.

Everyone has heard of agents offering "Free Market Evaluations." Don't mistake this for an "appraisal". Please remember that most agents are not licensed appraisers. Agents may offer "Free Market Evaluations" as a secondary service for their primary business of securing a listing.

However, a licensed appraiser's primary business is to provide an independent and unbiased market value that is not coloured by the pressures of earning a commission. Recognizing the importance of a licensed appraisal, ComFree offers an appraisal through a licensed appraiser included in 2 of our 3 packages.

Price is the only factor you can control once your home is up for sale. You have no control over other key criteria such as the location, the number of bedrooms, square feet, etc. If your home is over-priced it will not sell whether through an agent or ComFree. STATISTICAL FACT: In 2009, not one single seller has put more money in their pocket by using a real estate agent rather than ComFree.

BUYERS:

How do I view a home listed with ComFree?

All homes for sale with ComFree are private sales. So, to view a home, you must contact the owner directly at the phone number listed on the ad.

How do I sign up for email notifications for all new ComFree listings?

From the ComFree Edmonton homepage, select "Find a Property"; scroll down to "Advanced Search & Email Notification of New Listings"; select the relevant features you are interested in. Enter your email address & search criteria.

How do I make an Offer on a ComFree home?

ComFree's Worry-Free Offer To Purchase Program
If you don't feel comfortable filling out the Real Estate Purchase Contract (Offer) yourself, ComFree, along with our partnered lawyer, will help you with the preparation, FREE of charge. What's the catch? When the seller accepts the Offer, you are required to use that same lawyer to handle the transaction. ComFree sends so many clients to our partnered law firm that they have agreed to give our buyers a discounted rate on closing fees.

See our 'Services You Need' for a ComFree's recommended lawyers

If you make an offer and it is not accepted, there is no charge for using the service, so there is no risk! The ComFree COMMISSION FREE system for buying a home is easy. There are only 2 simple steps involved:

1. Be Pre-Qualified by a Mortgage Professional
Prior to making a formal Offer, it is in your and the seller's best interest that you be pre-qualified for a mortgage.

See our 'Services You Need' for a ComFree's financial partner who gives ComFree buyers a preferred rate and can provide a pre-qualification within two-hours with a simple phone application.

2. Make a Formal Offer in Writing
No Real estate agents, no commissions, no hassle. Our partnered ComFree lawyer will look after your best interests, offering you the best protection that you can get.

ComFree encourages buyers to take advantage of our "Worry-Free Offer to Purchase Program", as mentioned above, to ensure your interests are protected. Much of this can be done via phone, fax & email. If you would like to make an offer on a ComFree home, the Seller can provide you with a Real Estate Purchase Contract form, or contact ComFree 7-days a week for assistance with this. (780) 444-3131

Alternatively, contact Gary Ewasko, Venture Law Group, to assist you in this process. (780) 450-2929

You will need a lawyer to close your deal anyway. It only makes sense to have the same lawyer advise you from the beginning. No one is better qualified to answer your legal questions and protect your interests than a legal professional. A lawyer is not looking for a real estate commission, so is not in a conflict of interest.

Once your lawyer has prepared or reviewed your Offer, you (the buyer) should deliver the Offer and deposit cheque to the Seller. At this point, the Seller has the option of accepting, rejecting or countering your Offer. If the decision is to counter, the Offer will be returned to you along with the deposit cheque and the Seller's amendments noted. This process continues until you have arrived at a deal.

For further questions, please contact ComFree (780) 444-3131 or Gary Ewasko at Venture Law Group (780) 450-2929.

We know that in every industry, misconceptions about products or services exist. They may result from poor communication, misunderstood information, incorrect information shared by other industry members in an attempt to compete unfairly, or simply a lack of knowledge on a particular subject.

ComFree here addresses some of the common misconceptions about our service and Edmonton's real estate industry in general.

1. Homes listed with ComFree take longer to sell...Or do not sell at all!

FACTS:

Actually, homes listed with ComFree often sell faster than homes listed with a real estate agent.

ComFree homes are selling faster and with greater success than homes listed on the real estate agents' listing service.

ComFree homes (on average) sell for 98% of list price.

Since ComFree homes are selling faster and at a greater success rate, you owe it to yourself to use ComFree and save thousands.

See ComFree's Monthly Report.

2. Homes listed with ComFree are under- or over-priced.

FACTS:

Any home can be under- or over-priced, whether selling privately or through an agent.

Research shows ComFree homes are competitively priced.

Ultimately, every home on the market will sell for market value. If it's under- priced, it will go in a bidding war; if it's over priced, it will either not sell, or will redefine what the market value is for that house.

3. The agents' listing service is essential for adequate exposure to sell your home.

FACTS:

� ComFree provides you with more exposure than any other service. Our website receives more than 300,000 visitors each month. ComFree's full-colour magazine can be picked up at more than 600 locations; a new issue is available every 3 weeks.

4. Listing with ComFree takes longer to get started.

FACTS:

When you call the ComFree office, we can usually have one of our consultants out to see you the next day. After this initial visit, all your ComFree services will be up and running within 3 business days if you and your home are ready that quickly.

5. ComFree is only for lower-valued homes.

FACTS:

ComFree has helped homeowners sell property ranging from $25,000 to $2.4 million.

Everyone wants to save money - the more your home is worth, the more the commission you'll save!

6. ComFree sellers still have to pay a commission (hidden fee).

FACTS:

ComFree provides all the services you need for as low as $697 + gst.

Absolutely no further money is owed upon sale or at any other time.

7. The Real Estate Purchase (Offer) is difficult/complicated to complete.

FACTS:

The Offer form is very simple and straightforward. It's the buyer's job to complete this form and present it to you.

ComFree works with Venture Law Group who will prepare the Offer FREE for any of your potential buyers

8. ComFree sellers cannot pre-qualify buyers (but real estate agents do).

FACTS:

Real estate agents do not pre-qualify buyers - banks and other financial institutions do. Therefore, you simply need to ask your buyers if they have been pre-qualified by a bank and, if so, ask them to bring this pre-qualification with them when they come to view your home.

9. Real estate agents do a better job "selling" your home.

FACTS:

Real estate agents don't sell homes; homes sell themselves. Buyers will know instantly if it's the home they want. There is nothing a person can say to convince a buyer to buy a home. When you bought your home, did the agent or homeowner convince you to buy, or was it the house itself that convinced you this would be your next home?

When questions arise, who knows more about a home than the owners themselves? They can tell you the exact history about the home, all about the neighborhood and much more.

10. Real estate commissions include GST.

FACTS:

GST is added to all agent's commissions. The entire cost of using ComFree is usually less than the GST alone on an agent's commission.

11. Real estate agents protect sellers (and/or buyers).

FACTS:

Agents work for themselves. Their primary objective is to secure a listing, so they are not an unbiased party, and offer no protection. Remember, your best interest and the listings agent's best interest are not always the same. You and he can have a conflict of interest: for instance, the agent would rather close the sale fast than get you the few thousand more the marketplace would offer.

Lawyers, on the other hand are working solely in your interest. Whether selling privately or through an agent, you will need a lawyer and YOUR lawyer will protect YOUR interests.

12. Agents provide homeowners with an appraisal of their home.

FACTS:

Agents provide market evaluations, which are simply a comparison of comparable properties in your area. By using the ComFree website, you can prepare your own market evaluation.

Alternatively, hiring a professional appraiser who is an unbiased party can be a very effective negotiating and selling tool. Your buyer will often need an appraisal to obtain financing and can often use the one you have already had completed.

13. Real estate agents sell ComFree homes.

FACTS:

Less than 1% of ComFree sales involve a real estate agent. It is always the seller�s option whether to work with an agent, but with over 99% of sales going through without an agent, why pay commission? ComFree offers all the support you need plus with the exclusive ComFree Lawyers Assistance Program, so you know you are well taken care of.

14. Real estate agents can net you more money.

FACTS:

If this were true, that would mean buyers would be willing to pay more for your home if it was listed though a listing service - now does that make sense?