Interviewing real estate brokers is the most under-used step in a Toronto home transaction. Most buyers and sellers sign with the first agent who calls back. A 30-minute interview — ideally with two or three candidates — surfaces price strategy, marketing plan, communication style, and the legal terms inside the Buyer Representation Agreement (BRA) or listing agreement. Use the questions below to compare candidates on substance, not charm.
In this guide, we cross-reference How to Pick a Real Estate Agent, Ontario Realtor Fees, and What Does BAC Mean? — click through whenever you want to go deeper on a related concept.
Verify Credentials First
- What is your RECO registration number? (Confirm on the RECO Registrant Search.)
- Are you a Salesperson or a Broker?
- Which brokerage are you registered with?
- How long have you been licensed in Ontario?
Local Track Record
- How many homes in my neighbourhood did you transact in the last 12 months?
- What was your list-to-sale ratio in this price band?
- Can you show me three solds from the last 90 days in this postal code?
Their answers should be specific and verifiable on TRREB. Vague responses ("a lot," "top 1%") are a yellow flag. Pull a few of their listings on Realtor.ca and confirm.
Strategy Questions for Sellers
- What is your recommended list price and what is the data behind it?
- Are you suggesting offers on a specific date or any-time offers?
- What is your marketing plan beyond the MLS — staging, photo, video, social?
- What is the commission structure and what split goes to a co-operating brokerage (BAC)?
Strategy Questions for Buyers
- How do you handle multiple-offer situations?
- Will you sign me to an exclusive BRA, and for how long?
- What is the holdover period in your standard BRA?
- Do you ever represent both buyer and seller (multiple representation)?
Under TRESA, a brokerage cannot represent both sides without written consent disclosing the limitations. Confirm the agent will inform you immediately if multiple representation arises.
Red Flags to Walk Away From
- Pressure to sign on the spot.
- Inability to produce sold data on request.
- Guarantees of a specific sale price without seeing the property.
- Unwillingness to put any verbal promise in writing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many brokers should I interview?+
Two or three. One is too few to compare; four or more gets overwhelming. Use the same question list for each so you can compare answers directly.
How long should a broker interview take?+
Plan for 45–60 minutes for sellers (the broker should walk the home and discuss pricing) and 30 minutes for buyers.
Can I ask for references?+
Yes. A confident broker will give you 2–3 recent client references happily. If they hesitate, that is your answer.
What does TRESA say about multiple representation?+
Under the Trust in Real Estate Services Act, 2002, a brokerage cannot represent both buyer and seller without written informed consent from both parties. The brokerage must explain the limitations on advocacy and confidentiality before any consent is signed.
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Work With a Top Toronto Real Estate Agent
Use these 12 questions on the (416) GET ALDO team. We'll happily share verifiable TRREB sold data, our marketing plan, and our standard BRA so you can compare us against anyone in Toronto.