Guelph Franchise Owner’s Goal is to Help Homeowners Save a Million

August 14, 2006 – Guelph, ON: Each morning, when Dave Waters faces himself in the bathroom mirror, he has to smile at the way life comes full circle. Bitten by Guelph’s quiet charms during his university years, he has now returned with a noble goal in mind.

He wants to save homeowners in the Guelph area $1,000,000 in real estate commissions within the next 12 months. And he’s made it his business to do just that. “I feel like Robin Hood”, he grins.

Earlier this year, this 37-year-old father of three gave rein to his somewhat maverick nature when he brought his PropertyGuys.com franchise business into a town populated with over 300 real estate agents. PropertyGuys.com is Canada’s leading private sale, real estate marketing company and its primary goal is to provide homeowners the tools they need to sell their homes themselves in a professional, efficient, and organized manner. This growing private sale trend makes the traditional real estate industry nervous, especially since it’s estimated that 25 per cent of Canadians are already selling without using an agent.

“I’ve always rooted for the underdog,” says Dave, “and my strategy for this business is keeping those commission dollars in the hands of people who have earned it.”

With a housing market that has subtly shifted downward in recent months, PropertyGuys.com commission-free marketing system makes even more sense, enabling homeowners to price their homes competitively and still save money. Part of Dave’s work is debunking the myth that selling a house is complicated business.

At first, he worried about going head-to-head against the Guelph-area realtors who are part of the $100 billion dollar real estate industry and, but after the first phone call from an elated client, who saved $14,000 in real estate commissions, he knew he had found his niche. “It’s not every business owner who can look at himself in the mirror and feel this good about what he does,” he says.

If the number of private ‘For Sale’ signs on Ontario lawns is any indication, consumers are already questioning the high real estate commissions and are ready for an affordable and professional private sale solution. In answer to this demand, more PropertyGuys.com offices will be opening soon throughout the province. “We’re fortunate to have Dave as a franchisee,” says company president, Ken LeBlanc. “His positive attitude, which is fuelled by his excitement to help others, will make him very successful. We’re looking for more key people, like Dave, in other Ontario markets.”