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Buyer Representation Agreement Ontario: Terms to Read Before You Sign

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Published 19 September 2026 · By Jatin Dua, Broker of Record, RE/MAX Quantum Realty

A buyer reading an agreement at a kitchen table (illustrative)
Short answer

A buyer representation agreement sets the term, the area, the commission, the holdover period and what happens in multiple representation. All of it is negotiable, and short initial terms are normal. Under TRESA the brokerage must give you the RECO information form before providing services.

Under Ontario’s rules, a brokerage that represents you as a client works under a written agreement. Signing one is normal. Signing one without reading the term, the area and the holdover clause is how people end up stuck.

What the agreement covers

  • The term. How long it runs. It can be a day, a month or a year, and it is negotiable. A first-time buyer working with a new agent might start with 30 to 90 days.
  • The area and property type. The agreement can be limited to one city, one neighbourhood, or one property.
  • Commission. What the brokerage is paid, and what happens if the seller’s brokerage offers less than that. Read this clause closely, because a shortfall can land on you.
  • Holdover. If you buy a property the brokerage showed you within a set period after the agreement ends, commission may still be owed.
  • Multiple representation. What happens if the same brokerage also represents the seller. Under TRESA you must consent in writing, and the brokerage’s ability to advise both sides is limited.

What TRESA changed

Since December 1, 2023, brokerages must give you the RECO Information and Disclosure to Consumers form before they provide services or advice, explaining the difference between being a client and a self-represented party. You are entitled to understand which you are before you start.

Know what your home is worth

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Building your estimate

Estimated market value

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Confidence band±6%
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Starting from the area baseline for your property type, here’s what each answer added or subtracted.

Market context

Recent local averages for comparison.

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How this works — your estimate is generated by a model built on recent Toronto & GTA sale data, weighting area, property type, size, age, condition, lot and features. It is an automated estimate for information only. It is not an appraisal, not a Comparative Market Analysis, and should not be relied on for financing, legal or tax purposes. Real pricing depends on comparable sales, interior finishes and market conditions on the day — ask me for a written CMA before you make a decision.

What you can negotiate

  • A shorter term.
  • A narrower area or a single property.
  • The holdover period.
  • What happens if the relationship doesn’t work: many brokerages will sign a cancellation if you ask.

Questions worth asking before you sign

  1. How long is the term, and will you shorten it?
  2. What area and property types does it cover?
  3. What is your commission, and what happens if the listing offers less?
  4. How long is the holdover, and which properties does it apply to?
  5. How do we end this if it isn’t working?

The takeaway

Read the term, area, commission shortfall and holdover clauses before signing, and ask how the agreement ends if it is not working.

Talk it through with me

Get a first-time buyer plan

Tell me your savings, income range and target area. I will send a realistic price range and next steps.

This goes straight to me, not a call centre. No spam, and I never sell your details.

Got it — thank you.
I will come back to you personally, usually the same day. If it is urgent, call or text 833-330-1925.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to sign a buyer representation agreement in Ontario?

To be represented as a client by a brokerage, yes, there must be a written agreement. You can also choose to be a self-represented party, with far less protection.

How long should it be?

Whatever you agree. Short initial terms are common and reasonable.

What is a holdover clause?

A period after the agreement ends during which commission may still be owed if you buy a property the brokerage introduced you to.

Can I cancel it?

Cancellation is by agreement with the brokerage, so ask about the process before you sign.

Sources

Related reading

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.

Please read this. General information current as at 19 September 2026. It is not legal, tax or financial advice and not advice on any specific transaction. I am a registered real estate broker, not a lawyer or accountant. Market figures are from TRREB Market Watch, August 2026 (released September 2026); district samples are small and change month to month. Statements about my own services describe what I offer and are not a ranking or an endorsement by any third party. Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract with another brokerage. Images are illustrative. E. & O.E.

Call or text 833-330-1925
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