Published 16 September 2026 · By Jatin Dua, Broker of Record, RE/MAX Quantum Realty
Before hiring a realtor in Ontario, ask how they would price or bid using specific comparable sales, who they represent under TRESA, what they charge and how commission is split, how you can end the agreement, and what their recent results are in your area and price range. Check their RECO registration yourself. A good agent answers with evidence and puts terms in writing.
Start with the check you can do yourself
Before any interview, search the agent on the RECO public register. Confirm they are registered, note their category and brokerage, and look for disciplinary decisions. It takes two minutes and it is the one thing no agent can talk around.
Questions about experience and local results
- How many homes like mine have you sold or bought in this area in the past 12 months? Ask for addresses, not a percentage.
- What was your average sale-to-list ratio and days on market, compared with the district?
- Which three recent sales would you price my home against, and why?
- What is happening in my district right now? A good agent cites sales, listings and days on market from TRREB data, not feelings.
- Who else will work on my file? Teams are fine; you just need to know who you will actually deal with.
Questions about representation and ethics
- Will I be your client, and what does that mean under TRESA? Since 1 December 2023, clients are owed full duties including advice and confidentiality; self-represented parties are not.
- Have you given me the RECO Information Guide? Registrants must provide it before assisting you.
- What happens if a buyer you represent wants my home? Ask how multiple representation or designated representation would work and what consent they would need.
- Do you receive referral fees or incentives from lenders, lawyers or inspectors you recommend?
Questions about money and contracts
- What is your commission, and how is it split with the other brokerage? Commission is negotiable in Ontario.
- Is HST included in the figure you quoted?
- How long is the agreement, and how can I cancel it?
- What is the holdover clause? See my holdover clause guide.
- What marketing is included, and what is extra?
Questions for sellers specifically
- What would you fix, and what would you leave? See what pays back before selling.
- Hold offers or take them any time — which, and why, for my home?
- What will I net after commission, legal fees, mortgage penalty and adjustments? Try the net proceeds calculator.
- What is your plan if we have no offers after three weeks?
Questions for buyers specifically
- What will a buyer representation agreement commit me to, and for how long?
- How will you help me avoid overpaying in a competing-offer situation?
- What conditions do you recommend, and when is it safe to waive one? See conditional offers in Ontario.
How to compare the answers
Score each agent on evidence, not charm.
| What to check | How to check it yourself | Red flag |
|---|---|---|
| Registration | Search the name on RECO’s public register; confirm category and brokerage | Name not found, or brokerage differs from the business card |
| Local sales evidence | Ask for units sold in your building or pocket in the past 12 months, with addresses | “Top 1%” with no comparison group or period |
| Pricing method | Ask which three sales they would anchor your price to, and why | A number with no comparables, or a number far above every comparable |
| Representation | Ask how client versus self-represented status applies to you under TRESA | Vague answers about who they work for when both sides are involved |
| Contract terms | Read the holdover period, cancellation terms and the commission split in writing | Pressure to sign the same day |
Free tool — AI home value estimator
Instant Home Valuation
What’s your home
worth today?
Answer six quick questions and get an instant value range built from current Toronto & GTA sale data — property type, size, condition, lot and location all weighted the way a real pricing conversation weighs them. Takes about ninety seconds.
Reading recent GTA sale data…
Building your estimate
Estimated market value
—
$0–$0
Most likely value $0 · roughly $0 per square foot
What moved the number
Starting from the area baseline for your property type, here’s what each answer added or subtracted.
Market context
Recent local averages for comparison.
—
A range is a starting point.
A strategy is what sells.
This model doesn’t know that your neighbour’s identical semi went $80,000 over asking last month, or which two upgrades actually pay back in your area. That conversation is free and takes twenty minutes.
Ask me these questions
I am Jatin Dua, Broker of Record at RE/MAX Quantum Realty, working with buyers and sellers across Toronto and the GTA from our office at 799 The Queensway. I am happy to answer all 21 in writing before you commit to anything. If someone else answers them better, hire them. For a quick first answer at any hour, you can also ask JD, my AI assistant, then follow up with me directly.
The takeaway
Hire on evidence. Check RECO registration yourself, then ask for specific comparable sales, local results, representation under TRESA, commission and split, HST, cancellation and holdover terms, and a plan if things stall. A good agent answers with numbers and puts it all in writing.
Talk it through with me
Want my answers to all 21, in writing?
Tell me your address or what you are looking for. I will reply with written answers you can compare with any other agent.
I will come back to you personally, usually the same day. If it is urgent, call or text 833-330-1925.
Frequently asked questions
What should I ask a realtor before signing?
Ask for comparable sales behind their pricing, their recent local results, who they represent under TRESA, commission and how it is split, whether HST is included, how to cancel, the holdover period, and what marketing is included.
How do I check a realtor in Ontario?
Search the RECO public register at reco.on.ca for their name or brokerage. It shows registration status, category and brokerage, and RECO publishes disciplinary decisions.
Is realtor commission negotiable in Ontario?
Yes. No law or board sets a standard rate. Compare the total, the split with the other brokerage, whether HST is included, and what services are provided.
What is a holdover clause?
It lets the brokerage claim commission if you sell within a set period after the agreement ends to a buyer introduced during the agreement. Check its length and conditions before signing.
What is the RECO Information Guide?
A RECO document registrants must give consumers before providing services, explaining client versus self-represented status and the protections available.
How many agents should I interview?
Two or three is usually enough to compare pricing logic, local results and terms.
Sources
- Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO) — public register of registrants, registration categories and disciplinary decisions. Accessed 16 September 2026.
- RECO — information for buyers and sellers — the RECO Information Guide, client versus self-represented status, and how to check a registrant. Accessed 16 September 2026.
- Trust in Real Estate Services Act, 2002 — the statute governing Ontario real estate registrants, in force in its current form since 1 December 2023. Accessed 16 September 2026.
Related reading
- How to judge a top realtor properly
- Who does your agent work for under TRESA?
- Cancelling a real estate agreement in Ontario
- Who pays realtor fees in Ontario?
About the author — Jatin Dua, Toronto and GTA real estate broker
I am Jatin Dua, Broker of Record and co-founder of RE/MAX Quantum Realty Inc., Brokerage, Unit 101, 799 The Queensway, Etobicoke. I work with buyers and sellers across Toronto and the GTA, with deep local knowledge of the west end. Four-plus years of active GTA transactions and over $100 million in sales volume. Every market figure here comes from TRREB’s published tables and every rule from RECO or Ontario legislation, so you can check all of it without asking me.
Reach me at connect@jatindua.com or 833-330-1925, or book a call.