How Ready Are You to Choose the Right Realtor?

Discover your readiness level for selecting a realtor who'll truly advocate for your interests. In just 4 quick questions, we'll assess your knowledge of what separates top agents from mediocre ones—including red flags to watch, questions to ask, and verification steps that protect you. Get your personalized assessment and learn exactly what to focus on before making this crucial decision.

When evaluating a realtor's experience, what matters most to you?

I haven't thought much about their experience—I'll just pick someone recommended by a friend. I want to know how many years they've been in real estate, but I'm not sure what other metrics to check. I plan to ask about transaction volume in the past 2 years and their success rate in my neighbourhood. I'll verify their recent transaction count, specialization in my market segment, and specific results they've achieved for clients like me.

How would you verify that a realtor is truly trustworthy and legitimate?

I'd assume they're legitimate if they have a nice website and good reviews online. I'd check their license and maybe look at a few online reviews, but I'm not sure what else to verify. I'd verify their license through the provincial board, check references, and look for any disciplinary history. I'd confirm their license and CREA membership, request client references, check disciplinary records, verify their insurance coverage, and ask about professional designations.

What's your approach to understanding realtor fees and commission structures?

I haven't really looked into fees—I assume it's standard and I'll just accept whatever they charge. I know realtors earn commission, but I'm not clear on how much or who pays it exactly. I understand that sellers typically pay commission split between agents, and I know it's negotiable. I can explain the typical commission split, know that rates are negotiable, and I'm prepared to discuss flat fees or hourly alternatives if they make sense for my situation.

If a realtor showed these behaviours during your first consultation, how would you react?

They pressure you to decide quickly and discourage you from getting a home inspection. I'd probably just go with it. I'd feel uncomfortable but might not know exactly why or what to do about it. I'd recognize these as red flags and would keep looking, but I might not be 100% certain about all warning signs. I'd immediately recognize these as major red flags and confidently move on to find an agent who respects my timeline and encourages thorough due diligence.