How to Find a Good Real Estate Agent in Ontario: 10 Questions to Ask
How to Find a Good Real Estate Agent in Ontario: 10 Questions to Ask
Choosing the right real estate agent can make or break your home purchase or sale. A good real estate agent in Ontario helps you price your home properly, find the right property, negotiate a better deal and avoid costly mistakes. A poor fit can cost you time, money and a lot of stress. This guide explains how to find a real estate agent in Ontario, what to look for, and the 11 questions to ask before you sign anything.
Why Choosing the Right Real Estate Agent in Ontario Matters
Buying or selling a home is likely the biggest financial transaction of your life. Your real estate agent guides you through pricing, offers, negotiations, conditions and closing. In a competitive Ontario housing market, an experienced local agent can be the difference between winning a bidding war and losing out, or between selling for top dollar and leaving money on the table.
The best real estate agent for you is not always the one with the most signs on the lawns. It is the agent who knows your neighbourhood, understands your type of property, communicates the way you like, and puts your interests first.
Where to Find a Real Estate Agent in Ontario
Before you start interviewing real estate agents, build a shortlist of three agents to compare. Here are the best places to find a real estate agent in Ontario:
Referrals from friends and family: Ask people who recently bought or sold in your area who they used and whether they would hire them again.
Online reviews: Check Google reviews and agent websites, and look for detailed reviews rather than one-line ratings.
Local listings: Look at who is listing and selling homes in the neighbourhood you are interested in.
Open houses: Meet local listing agents in person and see how they present homes.
Agent matching services: A free referral service like Ontario Agent Search can match you with a local real estate agent based on your area, budget and property type.
Once you have a shortlist, set up a short call or meeting with each agent and ask the questions below.
10 Questions to Ask a Real Estate Agent in Ontario
1. Are You Registered With RECO?
Every real estate agent in Ontario must be registered with the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO). Registered agents are either salespersons or brokers, and they must work for a registered real estate brokerage. Before you go any further, look the agent up on RECO's public register at reco.on.ca. The register shows whether the agent is currently registered, which brokerage they work for, and whether they have any disciplinary history. Never work with someone who is not registered.
2. How Long Have You Been a Real Estate Agent?
Experience matters, especially in a fast-moving Ontario real estate market. An experienced real estate agent has handled bidding wars, financing problems, failed home inspections and difficult closings. That said, a newer agent at a strong brokerage with a solid mentor can also do a great job. Ask how long they have been licensed, how many transactions they complete each year, and whether real estate is their full-time job.
3. How Well Do You Know This Neighbourhood?
A good local real estate agent knows your area inside and out. They know which streets sell fastest, what similar homes recently sold for, which schools families look for, and what is planned nearby. Ask how many homes they have bought or sold in your neighbourhood in the past year. For specialized purchases, like a rural property, a cottage, a condo or an investment property, ask about their experience with that specific type of real estate.
4. Do You Mostly Work With Buyers or Sellers?
Some real estate agents in Ontario focus on listing and selling homes. Others focus on representing home buyers. Many do both. If you are a first-time home buyer, look for a buyer's agent who is patient and comfortable explaining the process. If you are selling, look for a listing agent with a strong marketing plan and a track record of selling homes like yours.
5. How Do You Price a Home or Decide What to Offer?
For sellers, ask how the agent will set your list price. A good real estate agent should show you a comparative market analysis based on recent sales of similar homes, not just tell you what you want to hear. Be cautious of an agent who suggests a much higher price than the others, because overpricing often leads to a home sitting on the market.
For buyers, ask how they decide what to offer. A strong buyer's agent will review recent comparable sales, days on market and the number of competing offers before recommending a price.
6. How Will You Market My Home or Find Homes for Me?
Real estate marketing is where great agents stand out. If you are selling a house in Ontario, ask the listing agent for a written real estate marketing plan. A strong plan usually includes:
Professional photography and, for larger homes, drone photos
Video walkthroughs or 3D virtual tours
Floor plans and accurate room measurements
Staging advice or professional home staging
MLS listing with a well-written property description
Social media advertising and targeted online ads
Email outreach to other local agents and their buyer clients
Open houses, broker previews and feature sheets
Ask to see examples of homes they have marketed recently, and look at their real listings online. If the photos are dark, blurry or taken on a phone, your home may get the same treatment.
If you are buying, the marketing question works the other way. Ask how the agent will find homes for you. A good buyer's agent sets up instant MLS alerts, watches for new listings and price drops, and uses their network of local agents to hear about homes before they hit the market, including off-market and coming-soon listings. In a competitive Ontario market, an agent who finds homes early gives you a real advantage.
7. What Is Your Commission and What Is Included?
Real estate commission in Ontario is negotiable. There is no standard rate set by law. Ask exactly how much the agent charges, how it is split between the listing agent and the buyer's agent, and which services are included in the fee, such as the marketing items above.
Under Ontario's Trust in Real Estate Services Act (TRESA), buyers must sign a written buyer representation agreement before an agent can represent them. That agreement sets out the commission. Ask the agent to explain who pays the commission and what happens if the seller's offered commission is lower than what your agreement says.
8. Can You Walk Me Through Your Representation Agreement?
Before you work with a real estate agent in Ontario, you sign either a buyer representation agreement or a listing agreement. Read it carefully and ask questions. Key things to check include:
How long the agreement lasts
Whether it covers a specific area or property type
What commission you agree to pay
How you can end the agreement if things are not working out
Your agent must also give you RECO's information guide, which explains your rights and the different ways an agent can work with you. A good agent will be happy to explain every clause. If an agent rushes you to sign, that is a red flag.
9. How Will You Communicate With Me?
Communication is one of the most common complaints about real estate agents. Ask how quickly the agent responds, whether they prefer phone, text or email, and whether you will work with them directly or with a team member. If you work during the day, make sure they are available for evening and weekend showings. A responsive real estate agent can make the difference in a competitive market where offers move quickly.
10. Can I Speak With Past Clients?
A confident real estate agent will gladly share references. Ask for two or three past clients you can contact, ideally people who bought or sold a similar home recently. Ask those clients what the agent did well, what could have gone better, and whether they would hire them again.
Red Flags When Choosing a Real Estate Agent in Ontario
Watch for these warning signs when interviewing real estate agents:
They are not listed on RECO's public register.
They pressure you to sign a representation agreement on the spot.
They promise a sale price far above what other agents suggest.
They have no clear real estate marketing plan beyond putting your home on MLS.
They cannot explain their commission or agreement clearly.
They are slow to respond before you have even hired them.
They discourage you from getting a home inspection or legal advice.
They have little or no experience in your area or with your property type.
Tips for First-Time Home Buyers Choosing a Real Estate Agent
First-time home buyers in Ontario should look for an agent who takes the time to teach. A good buyer's agent will explain closing costs, land transfer tax rebates, mortgage pre-approval, offer conditions and what happens on closing day. Get pre-approved for a mortgage before you start house hunting. It shows agents and sellers you are serious and helps your agent focus on homes you can actually afford.
Tips for Home Sellers Choosing a Listing Agent
If you are selling a house in Ontario, interview at least three listing agents. Ask each one for a written marketing plan and a comparative market analysis. Compare their pricing, marketing, commission and communication style side by side. The agent with the highest suggested price is not always the best choice. Pick the listing agent with the most realistic plan and the strongest local track record.
Find a Good Real Estate Agent in Ontario With Ontario Agent Search
Finding a good real estate agent in Ontario takes research, but you do not have to do it alone. Ontario Agent Search matches buyers, sellers, renters, landlords, investors and commercial clients with local real estate agents across Ontario, for free. Tell us what you are looking for, where and your budget, and we will connect you with an agent who fits. Tell us about your home search or the home you are hoping to sell and a local real estate agent will be in touch.
Ontario Agent Search is a referral service. We are not real estate agents, brokers or a real estate brokerage, and we are not registered with the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO). This article is general information, not real estate, legal, tax or financial advice. We connect people with independent real estate agents registered in Ontario, and we may receive a referral fee from an agent you choose to work with. Always confirm an agent's registration at reco.on.ca before working with them.
