If you follow real estate you have probably read the term “Guaranteed Sale”. I decided to write about this topic because I feel it is a conflict of interest between industry members and the public.
What is a Gauranteed Sale? It is when a Realtor®/Brokerage offers to buy your home at a huge discount if they cannot sell it on their own. If using industry specific terms in advertising, industry professionals must present the information in such a way that the consumer will have a CLEAR understanding of what the advertising means.
Bait and switch tactics. Doesn’t it seem odd that if a realtor® is offering to buy your home, that everyone should just be selling their home to their realtor®? Industry members are not allowed to communicate an offer just to get a foot in the door only to substantially restrict the offer during their meeting.
Conflict of interest means a real or obvious incompatibility concerning an industry professional’s interest and the interest of the client or potential client. The test to determine if a conflict of interest exists is to take an objective viewpoint. If a reasonable person concludes the industry professionals’ judgment, advice or loyalty to the client may
have an adverse effect on the client - this would be a conflict of interest.If a realtor is offering to buy your home at a huge discount, who’s best interest do they have in mind? How can they act in your best interest if they may have to buy your home or want to buy your home.
My assumptions on Guaranteed Sales is that the Realtor® cannot possibly be representing the public in good faith without a conflict of interest. The only reason a Realtor® is marketing Guaranteed Sales is for you to call! They have either no intention of ever buying your home (so reduce, reduce is their mantra), or their intention is to buy your home at an excellent discounted price! Either way, this has nothing to do with your best interests!
How is a price determined? Taken from Realtor's website for Calgary and AREA who practices Guaranteed Sales.
"We look at comparable sales in your community to determine the fair market value of your home. From that a percentage up to around 10% is taken off the net amount that you would receive if you were to sell in today’s market.
For example, if your house is valued at $400,000 we subtract real estate commissions and then a percentage up to around 10% is taken off that amount giving you a net guaranteed sale amount. In this case, the guaranteed sale amount would be $345,600. The percentage that is up to 10% is solely based on the property’s location and current market trends and conditions."
The key to this example is that she hasn't told you how they determine VALUE. It is not based on what you feel your home is worth, nor is the VALUE based on the list price. And there are always 3 parts of VALUE; high, mid a low. I can ensure you the VALUE will be determined as LOW!
