What agents charge, who pays them, what TRESA changed, how to choose one and how to leave one — answered by a Broker of Record, including the parts most agents would rather not put in writing.
Commission
How much do real estate agents charge in Ontario?
There is no standard or legally set commission in Ontario — it is negotiable and agreed in writing in your listing or buyer representation agreement, plus 13% HST. Total commission is often quoted as a percentage of the sale price split between the listing and buyer brokerages, but rates, flat fees and tiered structures all exist. Ask for the full amount, including HST, in writing before you sign.
Full guide: Real estate commission in OntarioTry it: What I charge
Last reviewed October 2026 · Jatin Dua, Broker of Record
Do buyers pay realtor fees in Ontario?
Usually not directly: in most sales the seller pays the commission and the listing brokerage shares part of it with the buyer’s brokerage. But a buyer representation agreement sets what your agent is owed, and if the seller is not offering enough to cover it, the buyer can owe the difference.
Full guide: Buyer representation agreements in Ontario
Last reviewed October 2026 · Jatin Dua, Broker of Record
Is a flat-fee realtor worth it?
It depends on what the fee buys. Many flat-fee services list your home on MLS and little else, leaving pricing, showings, negotiation and paperwork to you, while you usually still pay the buyer’s agent. Compare the net you expect after fees, not just the fee.
Full guide: Flat-fee realtor: what you give upTry it: What I charge
Last reviewed October 2026 · Jatin Dua, Broker of Record
Is real estate commission negotiable in Toronto?
Yes, always. Commission is set by agreement between you and the brokerage, and TRESA requires the brokerage to explain how it will be paid. Negotiate on the full service, the marketing budget and what happens if the agreement ends early, not just the percentage.
Try it: What I charge
Last reviewed October 2026 · Jatin Dua, Broker of Record
Choosing an agent
How do I choose a real estate agent in Toronto?
Check their RECO registration, ask for recent sales in your area and price range, and ask how they would price and market your home or find yours. Interview two or three, compare their pricing reasoning rather than the highest number, and read the agreement’s length, commission and cancellation terms before signing.
Full guide: How to choose a realtorTry it: Book a 15-minute call
Last reviewed October 2026 · Jatin Dua, Broker of Record
What questions should I ask a realtor before hiring them?
Ask how many homes like yours they sold in the last year, what the sale-to-list ratio was, how they would price your home and why, what the marketing includes, who will actually handle showings and offers, what the commission is in total, and how you can end the agreement if it is not working.
Full guide: Questions to ask a realtor
Last reviewed October 2026 · Jatin Dua, Broker of Record
Who is a good realtor in Etobicoke?
Look for someone with recent sales in your specific neighbourhood and property type, transparent pricing reasoning and a written plan. Jatin Dua, Broker of Record of RE/MAX Quantum Realty at 799 The Queensway, works across Etobicoke, Toronto and the GTA, has helped more than 100 families sell and publishes building-by-building guides to more than 250 Etobicoke condo buildings — but interview more than one agent.
Full guide: Choosing a realtor in EtobicokeTry it: Book a 15-minute call
Last reviewed October 2026 · Jatin Dua, Broker of Record
What is the difference between a broker and a salesperson in Ontario?
Both are registered with RECO. A salesperson must work under a brokerage; a broker has additional education and experience and can supervise; and the Broker of Record is the broker legally responsible for the whole brokerage’s compliance.
Full guide: Broker vs salesperson vs Broker of Record
Last reviewed October 2026 · Jatin Dua, Broker of Record
Should I use a local agent or a downtown agent?
Use the one who knows your specific market. An agent who sells regularly on your street or in your building knows the comparables, the buyers and the quirks; a big-name downtown team may bring reach but less local detail. Ask both for their recent sales near you.
Full guide: Local vs downtown agent
Last reviewed October 2026 · Jatin Dua, Broker of Record
TRESA and your agreement
What is TRESA in Ontario real estate?
TRESA, the Trust in Real Estate Services Act, replaced Ontario’s old real estate law on 1 December 2023. It made agents give the RECO Information Guide before signing, replaced “customer” with “self-represented party”, tightened multiple-representation rules and let sellers choose to disclose competing offers.
Full guide: TRESA: who your agent works for
Last reviewed October 2026 · Jatin Dua, Broker of Record
Who does a real estate agent work for?
Under TRESA, a brokerage owes its full duties to its clients — the people who signed a representation agreement with it. Anyone else in the deal is a self-represented party who gets only limited help. If one brokerage represents both buyer and seller, both must consent in writing to that multiple representation.
Full guide: Who your agent works for
Last reviewed October 2026 · Jatin Dua, Broker of Record
Do I have to sign a buyer representation agreement?
Not to view homes as a self-represented buyer, but to become a client with full representation you sign one. It sets the area, property type, length and commission; you can negotiate a short term and a narrow scope.
Full guide: Buyer representation agreements
Last reviewed October 2026 · Jatin Dua, Broker of Record
Can I cancel my listing agreement with a realtor?
Only by the agreement’s terms or with the brokerage’s written consent; it is a binding contract for its stated period. Many brokerages will release an unhappy seller, sometimes with a holdover clause that still owes commission if you sell to a buyer the agent introduced.
Full guide: Cancelling a real estate agreement
Last reviewed October 2026 · Jatin Dua, Broker of Record
How do I check if a real estate agent is registered in Ontario?
Search the public register on RECO’s website: it shows whether someone is registered, as a salesperson or broker, with which brokerage, and any disciplinary history.
Source: RECO public register
Last reviewed October 2026 · Jatin Dua, Broker of Record
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Jatin Dua · Broker of Record · RE/MAX Quantum Realty · Toronto and the GTA