In a move that some will say is an example of the flexibility of the Groupon model, and that others will point to as a shark-jumping moment, the online deals site has partnered with a Chicago-area real estate firm for its first ever venture into the home-buying market.

The deal, which was listed on Groupon earlier today, offers home buyers or sellers $1,000 in cash at closing if they purchase the $25 Groupon. It’s valid for one year from the date of purchase, which is good news considering the snail-like pace of the real estate market right now.

Says the president of Dream Town, the brokerage involved in the deal, “We’re not really looking at (the Groupon deal) as a reduced commission. We’re looking at it as getting customers for life.”

Groupon gets into real estate with Dream Town [Chicago Breaking Business]

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