By Farah Khan, Broker, Pontis Realty Inc., Brokerage. Last updated October 23, 2026.
To choose a REALTOR® in Toronto, interview two or three agents, confirm each one is registered on RECO’s public register, and ask them all the same questions about credentials, local sales, strategy and the agreement. Judge their answers against recent sold data, not promises. Before you sign, read the representation agreement’s term, scope, holdover clause and fee, because all of them are negotiable.
The questions below are the ones that separate a good fit from a good pitch. Each comes with why it matters and what a strong answer sounds like, split for buyers and sellers where it makes a difference. You’ll also find the TRESA rules that shape the contract, the red flags worth walking away from, and a scorecard to compare agents side by side. I’m a real estate broker in Toronto, and you’re welcome to ask me every one of these too.
How to Check If a Realtor Is Licensed in Ontario
Every agent who trades in real estate in Ontario must be registered with the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO) and must work for a registered brokerage. Checking takes two minutes:
- Search the agent’s name on RECO’s Agent/Brokerage Search.
- Confirm the status reads “Registered” and the brokerage matches their business card.
- Look for any enforcement or discipline history.
If you want the full walkthrough, including what the salesperson and broker categories mean, see our guide to realtor vs real estate broker in Ontario.
How Many Realtors Should You Interview?
Two or three is usually enough. One gives you nothing to compare against, and more than three tends to blur together. Ask every agent the same questions in the same order, take notes, and score them on the same sheet. Sellers in particular should get a price opinion from each, then compare the sold data behind those numbers rather than the numbers themselves.
15 Questions to Ask a Realtor Before Hiring Them
The questions are grouped into four areas. Buyers can skip Questions 10 and 11; sellers can skip 8 and 9.
Credentials: Questions 1 to 3
1. What is your RECO registration number, and are you a salesperson or a broker?
Why it matters: It confirms they can legally act for you and lets you check their record yourself.
A good answer sounds like: “Here’s my number. I’m registered as a broker with Pontis Realty, and you can look me up on RECO’s site.” No hesitation, no deflection.
2. Which brokerage are you with, and will I work with you or a team?
Why it matters: Your agreement is with the brokerage, and on some teams the person who pitches you isn’t the one showing homes or negotiating.
A good answer sounds like: A clear name for who handles showings, pricing, negotiation and paperwork, and who covers when your agent is away.
3. How long have you been practising, and is real estate your full-time work?
Why it matters: Toronto deals move fast. Someone working part time may miss an offer deadline or a new listing.
A good answer sounds like: Years in practice, whether they are a REALTOR® (a CREA member), and how they’re reachable on evenings and weekends when offers happen.
Local Experience: Questions 4 to 7
4. How many homes like mine have you bought or sold in this area in the last 12 months?
Why it matters: A downtown condo, a North York semi and a detached house in Etobicoke, Scarborough or East York are different markets with different buyers.
A good answer sounds like: Specific recent deals with the property type, area and price range, not a career total.
5. Can you show me recent sold prices for comparable homes?
Why it matters: “Top 1%” claims and asking prices tell you little. Sold prices tell you what buyers actually paid.
A good answer sounds like: A short list of recent sales near you, with adjustments for size, condition and parking explained in plain words.
6. What’s happening in this market right now?
Why it matters: Strategy depends on whether homes are selling over asking, sitting, or getting multiple offers.
A good answer sounds like: Current days on market, how many listings are getting multiple offers, and what that means for you, backed by data rather than mood.
7. Can I speak with two or three recent clients?
Why it matters: Online reviews are curated. A five-minute call with a past client is harder to fake.
A good answer sounds like: “Of course. Here are two buyers and a seller from this year; I’ll let them know you might call.”
Strategy for Buyers and Sellers: Questions 8 to 12
8. For buyers: Will you show me every home that fits my criteria, whatever the commission?
Why it matters: RECO has warned that steering buyers away from listings offering lower buyer-agent compensation breaches the TRESA Code of Ethics.
A good answer sounds like: “Yes. You’ll see everything that fits. If a seller offers less than our agreement, I’ll tell you up front and we’ll decide together how to handle it.”
9. For buyers: How do you handle multiple offers and bully offers?
Why it matters: Many Toronto purchases come down to one offer night. Preparation decides who wins without overpaying.
A good answer sounds like: A plan covering mortgage pre-approval, deposit readiness, pre-offer inspections where possible, which conditions you can safely drop, and when to walk away.
10. For sellers: How did you arrive at your suggested list price?
Why it matters: Choosing the agent with the highest number feels good until the home sits and you reduce the price later.
A good answer sounds like: A comparative market analysis built on recent sales, with a price range and the reasoning for listing at, above or below market value.
[CONFIRM: one line from Farah on a pricing mistake she sees sellers make when choosing an agent.]
11. For sellers: What is your marketing and offer strategy?
Why it matters: Presentation and timing shape both the price and how many buyers compete.
A good answer sounds like: Specifics on photography, floor plans, staging advice, MLS® exposure, showings, and whether to hold an offer date or take offers anytime, and why.
12. How and how often will you update me?
Why it matters: Silence is the most common complaint people have about agents.
A good answer sounds like: An agreed channel (call, text, email), a regular schedule, and same-day feedback after showings or offers.
Agreement and Fees: Questions 13 to 15
13. Can I read the representation agreement before I commit?
Why it matters: It defines your services, scope, term and obligations. Under TRESA, client services require a written agreement.
A good answer sounds like: “Take it home. Here’s what each section means, whether it’s brokerage or designated representation, the area and property types it covers, and whether it’s exclusive.”
14. How is your fee structured, and what would change it?
Why it matters: RECO says fees aren’t fixed by RECO, the government or any real estate board. You and the brokerage decide them.
A good answer sounds like: The amount or how it’s calculated, what happens if a seller covers some of a buyer’s fee, and what changes if the brokerage ends up representing both sides. No vague “standard rate.”
15. What is the holdover period, and how can I end the agreement early?
Why it matters: A holdover clause can make you owe a fee after the agreement expires, for a property you were introduced to during the term.
A good answer sounds like: A specific number of days you’ve agreed to, which properties it covers, and the termination terms written into the agreement.
What TRESA Means for the Agreement You Sign
Ontario’s Trust in Real Estate Services Act, 2002 (TRESA) changed the rules on December 1, 2023. Here’s what that means when you hire an agent:
- Client or self-represented party. Without a written representation agreement, you’re a self-represented party, and you shouldn’t expect services like showings or advice. The brokerage must give you the RECO Information Guide explaining the difference.
- It must be in writing. Your agreement must set out the services, what you’ll pay, how long it lasts and when it can be ended. The expiry date must appear prominently on the first page.
- Holdover has no set length. RECO says there is no minimum or standard holdover period, so agree on the number of days before you sign.
- Everything is negotiable. Fee, term, scope and holdover are yours to discuss. The fee can be a fixed amount, a percentage, or both, but it can’t be based on the gap between the list price and the sale price.
- Designated representatives stay put. Under a designated representation agreement, the brokerage can’t switch your representative unless you agree.
Before you sign, check five things: the expiry date, the geographic and property-type scope, the holdover length, the fee and what changes it, and the termination terms. If anything is unclear, ask, and get legal advice for anything unusual.
8 Red Flags When Choosing a Realtor
- A list price far above the others, with no sold comparables to back it.
- Pressure to sign the agreement on the spot.
- Reluctance to share a RECO number or brokerage name.
- Vague answers about who will actually do the work.
- Rankings and awards offered in place of recent local sales.
- Discouraging you from seeing certain listings without explaining why.
- A long term or holdover period presented as non-negotiable.
- Suggesting they represent both buyer and seller without explaining multiple representation and getting your written consent.
Is It Better to Choose a Broker or a Salesperson?
Neither is automatically better. Both are registered with RECO, follow the same Code of Ethics and can represent you. A broker has at least two years as a salesperson plus extra training in running a brokerage, which can help on complex files, but local experience and communication matter more for most moves. The full comparison is in our realtor vs broker guide.
Should You Use the Same Realtor to Buy and Sell?
Often, yes, if they know both markets. One agent can coordinate your sale and purchase dates so you aren’t carrying two homes or rushing into a rental. If you’re selling a condo downtown and buying a house in another area, ask about recent results in both. You’ll sign separate agreements for each side, so review both fees.
Free Realtor Comparison Scorecard
Score each agent from 1 to 5 on every question, note any red flags, and total the columns. The agent with the highest score and no red flags is usually your shortlist of one. [Download the printable scorecard (PDF)] (link the designed PDF here; table version in the scorecard section of this doc)
Interview Me With the Same 15 Questions
If you’re buying or selling in Toronto or the GTA, I’d be glad to answer every question on this list, including the agreement terms, before you commit to anything. I price with a comparative market analysis, work directly with my clients, and walk you through the contract line by line.
[CONFIRM: “The questions I hear most in first consultations are…” followed by 3 to 5 real examples.]
Book a private consultation or request a free home valuation, or call or WhatsApp +1 416-998-3890. Planning your next move? See buying a home in Toronto or selling a home in the GTA.
How to Choose a Realtor in Toronto: FAQ
Do I Have to Sign a Buyer Representation Agreement in Ontario?
Only if you want a brokerage to represent you. Under TRESA, brokerages provide services to clients under a written representation agreement. Without one, you are a self-represented party and shouldn’t expect services such as showings or advice. You can negotiate the term, scope and fee before signing.
Is Realtor Commission Negotiable in Ontario?
Yes. RECO says the amount you pay is decided between you and the brokerage and isn’t fixed by RECO, the government or any real estate board. It can be a fixed amount, a percentage of the price, or both, and it must be written into your agreement.
Can I Change My Realtor After Signing an Agreement?
Usually only by mutual agreement or under the termination terms in your contract, so read those before you sign. A holdover clause may still apply to homes you were introduced to during the term. If you can’t resolve it with your agent, contact the brokerage’s broker of record, and get legal advice if needed.
Who Pays the Buyer’s Agent in Ontario?
Your buyer representation agreement sets what you owe your brokerage. A seller may agree to cover some or all of it, but RECO notes a seller might not offer anything, which can affect what you’re able to offer. Your agreement must say how your cost changes if the seller contributes.
About the Author: Farah Khan, Real Estate Broker
Farah Khan, Broker, Pontis Realty Inc., Brokerage
Farah Khan is a real estate broker registered with RECO, helping buyers and sellers across Toronto and the GTA with residential and commercial real estate since 2012. She works directly with her clients rather than through a large team. [CONFIRM: RECO registration #XXXXXXX] [CONFIRM: “Farah is a REALTOR® and member of TRREB and CREA” only if true]. Verify her registration on the RECO public register. Read more about Farah.