Real Estate Revolution

Ken LeBlanc, Class of ’01

PropertyGuys.com President and CEO, Ken LeBlanc graduated from Crandall University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 2001. In fact, PropertyGuys.com was founded in 1998 while Ken and co-founder Jeremy Demont were studying at Crandall. Ken has been growing his business since his Crandall days and now, over 20 years later, he has leveraged his drive and vision into the largest real estate marketing franchising network in North America.

Ken LeBlanc (‘01) is the President and CEO of PropertyGuys.com

What makes PropertyGuys.com stand out?

At PropertyGuys.com, we put our customers in the center of the transaction, instead of on the sidelines like what happens with traditional agents. There, they benefit from the control and transparency of what’s happening throughout their property sale. One of our real estate offering’s unique benefits is that our flat fee packages are based on the level of service home sellers choose, not based on a percentage of the home’s value like a traditional agent would charge (i.e., five percent commission).

How do you ensure that PropertyGuys.com provides the best possible user experience?

We are big believers in listening to users to improve our services and customer experience. Our Net Promoter Score (NPS) process helps us identify our raving fans and detractors when their listing status changes (i.e., sold!) and within the first week of their listing experience. The initial NPS call helps us identify any issues or trends while we still have time to turn around that customer’s experience and respond to their needs.

What do you see as your contribution to real estate?

Our contribution to real estate is defined by pioneering a new segment within the industry – private sale. Appropriately dubbed “the best of both worlds,” we allow our users to choose the level of service that suits their needs instead of a one-size-fits-all percentage commission model offered by traditional brokerages.

Any new products or services in the works?

We always have something in ‘the lab’ for testing. We recently launched a free instant online estimate campaign on our website for lead generation for our franchisees and to provide value for pre-market home sellers. In the next 12 months, we’ll also be addressing the needs of more DIY customers, introducing new services that allow them to take control of their real estate transactions for a low investment.

What impact has Crandall University had on you and your business?

I both met my current business partner, and founded the company while I was a student at Crandall. Crandall University Dean of International Academic Programs Dr. Dannie Brown was a key mentor for PropertyGuys.com in our start-up days and I treasure our amazing friendship to this day.

Do you stay connected to the Crandall community?

Dr. Brown and I are still in close contact and I have made a number of presentations and speaking engagements for his classes. I am also very fortunate to maintain friendships with a number of Crandall alumni. It’s exciting to see the success of fellow alumni, whether it’s my own classmates or recent graduates who are entering the business world.

What do you see in PropertyGuys.com’s future?

We predict exponential growth in technology-driven real estate experiences over the next five years. We expect to hit over 10,000 listings per year in the coming years, thanks to innovations in our product offering, enhanced services, and international expansion. We predict that Canada’s franchise opportunities will all be sold, as well, as we’ll bring on five new Master Franchises in the USA, which could represent upwards of 1000 franchise units for development. That’s the future of real estate.

PropertyGuys.com has perfected their innovative approach to real estate over the past 23 years. As Canada’s Largest Private Sale Network, they’ve helped over 95,000 Canadians discover A Smarter Way to Sell™. Combining the power of the internet with a team of experts, they provide a practical and efficient way for buyers and sellers to connect while avoiding the high cost of traditional real estate commissions. The company continues to be on the cutting edge, leading industry change and technological innovation. Today, there are franchisees in over 90 locations across Canada and three Master Franchise locations serving Florida, Texas, and South Africa.

I both met my current business partner, and founded the company while I was a student at Crandall. Crandall University Dean of International Academic Programs Dr. Dannie Brown was a key mentor for PropertyGuys.com in our start-up days and I treasure our amazing friendship to this day.