selling primary residence

[angrymime666]

I will be selling my home in the near future. Ive decided to have several realtors from different brokerages come assess and make their pitch. They are aware that other realtors will be pitching as well. I am also entertaining the option of FSBO and discount brokerages.

Is there any difference between realtors beside the commission they charge?

Are some realtors unwilling to work with discount brokerages since the dont charge the typical 5%?

Has anyone done FSBO and attracted realtors when they offer a reduced commission?

Finally, I am under the impression that since I have not signed a contract with anyone I am not obliged to do business with anyone as I see fit. My concern is if a realtor assesses my home they may believe that they should receive a commission despite not having a written contract.

opinions would be appreciated

 

[Phil C. McNasty]

Dude, go with comfree.com. You'll save up to 2.5% on commission
My house sold in 34 days using comfree and I saved almost $30,000 in brokerage fees

 

[apoptygma]

Alternately, go with a competent realtor.
My house sold in 1 day, at $25,000 above asking.
I had 30 viewings on the first day. With a full day of viewings booked for day 2.
We sorted through 12 offers on the evening of day 1. Sealed the deal at about 11pm.

Or, comfree.com... your choice.

 

[spaman]

i guess it depends. Is your house up-to-date in a good area, or does it have some short comings in a not so nice area? that tells you what kind of help you will require to get the best money. If you own a modern house on a good lot in Forest Hill it will sell itself. get my meaning?

 

[angrymime666]

Dude, go with comfree.com. You'll save up to 2.5% on commission
My house sold in 34 days using comfree and I saved almost $30,000 in brokerage fees

That is an option I am looking into. Ive heard the paper work can be a pain in the ass, but for saving 2.5% it may be worth the work.

 

[mmouse]

4% is fair for a competent agent, since you have to give 2.5% to the buyers agent to make sure they show your listing to their clients. I did this and got 25% over asking. But it's still a fucking crooked system.

 

[angrymime666]

Alternately, go with a competent realtor.
My house sold in 1 day, at $25,000 above asking.
I had 30 viewings on the first day. With a full day of viewings booked for day 2.
We sorted through 12 offers on the evening of day 1. Sealed the deal at about 11pm.

Or, comfree.com... your choice.

I have never met a competent realtor in my buying and selling history. it usually goes, sales pitch, sign and then problem. poor service. I understand that it opens a lot of doors as far as other realtors bringing clients. I have not experienced getting above ask price.

 

[angrymime666]

i guess it depends. Is your house up-to-date in a good area, or does it have some short comings in a not so nice area? that tells you what kind of help you will require to get the best money. If you own a modern house on a good lot in Forest Hill it will sell itself. get my meaning?

house is completely reno'd ready move in condition. great area. I figure the finishes would sell the house, just not sure how much it drives the selling price up compared to a house that is dated.

 

[angrymime666]

4% is fair for a competent agent, since you have to give 2.5% to the buyers agent to make sure they show your listing to their clients. I did this and got 25% over asking. But it's still a fucking crooked system.

would you ever consider comfree as an option for selling your next house? its does make me sick paying a realtor to fill out a form and post my property on mls. ohh yes it is a monopoly...

 

[Phil C. McNasty]

That is an option I am looking into. Ive heard the paper work can be a pain in the ass, but for saving 2.5% it may be worth the work

I hardly had any paperwork to fill out. Also for a few extra hundred dollars you can get comfree to do all the paperwork for you. Its called OfferAssist: https://comfree.com/on/sell/offer-assist

Like others have said, if your house is in a decent area of Toronto it will sell itself

 

[blueray]

I hardly had any paperwork to fill out. Also for a few extra hundred dollars you can get comfree to do all the paperwork for you. Its called OfferAssist: https://comfree.com/on/sell/offer-assist
Like others have said, if your house is in a decent area of Toronto it will sell itself

Like Phil, I am a big fan of ComFree. I sold a condo through them, used OfferAssist, and I was shocked how easy the whole process was. While I certainly didn't save the money Phil did based on the price of the condo, but the money I did save was substantial. The pictures they took of the condo kicked ass as well. Condo sold in 3 days. I think you have to make sure it is priced right (your realtor interviews will probably help you with that as well as the ComFree sales rep). I would never use a traditional realtor again.

 

[squeezer]

I tried Comfree and couldn't get a bite on an investment condo I had. At the end of the 60 days I switched to a Realtor who suggested we wait several weeks before he lists it and he would cover the staging costs and redo the pics with a superb virtual tour.

He ended up selling it in 6 days at a higher price than I was asking for with ComFree. I was very pleased.

 

[drstrangelove]

I too once tried Comfree and it didn't work. Buyers are usually reluctant to deal with private sellers and it doesn't cost them anything to use a realtor who can provide guidance and advice.

Even offering to pay the buyer's realtor 2% commission didn't help, realtors don't like working with FSBOs, afraid their client will deal directly with the seller and/or there are fewer rules and regulations with private sellers, making it riskier for the realtor. Having said that, the house across the street sold in about a week through Comfree, so it does work sometimes.

 

[Phil C. McNasty]

A lot of it also depends on the time you try to sell.
Last April was the height of the market and condo/home sales in GTA was on fire.
Now I heard it has slowed down a little.

Spring is the best time to sell your home they say

 

[angrymime666]

I was going to shoot for an end of February sale. Ive talked to several realtors and they felt that it probably that March was ideal. if anyone else has an opinion on timing I would like to hear it.

I also got the low down on comfree. 599 for the basic package. if you opt for the 1800 offerassist it has a realtor that walks you through negotiating the offer and access to a lawyer.

 

[Phil C. McNasty]

I was going to shoot for an end of February sale. Ive talked to several realtors and they felt that it probably that March was ideal. if anyone else has an opinion on timing I would like to hear it.

I also got the low down on comfree. 599 for the basic package. if you opt for the 1800 offerassist it has a realtor that walks you through negotiating the offer and access to a lawyer

Also opt for the photographer who goes through your place and stages it

 

[TeeJay]

Are some realtors unwilling to work with discount brokerages since the dont charge the typical 5%?

Many Realtors refuse to even show properties from discount brokerages much less work with you
Many buyers will also refuse to buy if commission is too low since they then are on the hook to pay their own Realtor

Finally, I am under the impression that since I have not signed a contract with anyone I am not obliged to do business with anyone as I see fit. My concern is if a realtor assesses my home they may believe that they should receive a commission despite not having a written contract.

No Realtor is going to be "owed" a commission for assessing your home
Any Realtor who suggests that should be shown the door

I am also entertaining the option of FSBO and discount brokerages.

I'd personally put in a lower offer for a FSBO/discount (why should you get to save commission instead of me?) and most Realtors I am sure will pitch it similarly to their clients

 

[angrymime666]

Many Realtors refuse to even show properties from discount brokerages much less work with you
Many buyers will also refuse to buy if commission is too low since they then are on the hook to pay their own Realtor


No Realtor is going to be "owed" a commission for assessing your home
Any Realtor who suggests that should be shown the door


I'd personally put in a lower offer for a FSBO/discount (why should you get to save commission instead of me?) and most Realtors I am sure will pitch it similarly to their clients

thanks for the reply. you definitely answered my questions. I still have a couple realtors that need to finish their pitch. I got to say so far Im not impressed with one of the discount brokerage. for someone reason they did not want to field a ballpark selling price. as well, they really didnt give the impression that they understood pricing properties and finding comparable properties. they did not leave a good impression. mental note....

 

[angrymime666]

Also opt for the photographer who goes through your place and stages it

Ive had realtors ask if I would be staging it. I guess they dont care for my sparse living decor. Im not that fancy and dont really need that much. I guess Ill be picking up a couple of pieces to give it that homey vibe.

 

[angrymime666]

I tried Comfree and couldn't get a bite on an investment condo I had. At the end of the 60 days I switched to a Realtor who suggested we wait several weeks before he lists it and he would cover the staging costs and redo the pics with a superb virtual tour.

He ended up selling it in 6 days at a higher price than I was asking for with ComFree. I was very pleased.

did you hit the minimum target for money after commission and hst?