Picking a realtor is one of the biggest money decisions in a sale or purchase, and most people make it based on a friend’s referral or a sign they saw on the street. Nothing wrong with a referral, but a short interview with the right questions will tell you far more. Here are the questions to ask a realtor, how to check the answers, and what to watch out for.
How to Choose a Realtor: The Short Version
Interview two or three agents and use the same questions to ask a realtor with each one. Look for specific answers with real numbers, and check their licence and history on the BCFSA website before you sign anything.
The best agents on the North Shore usually have four things in common:
- Local, recent experience in your neighbourhood and your type of home
- A clear, specific plan for pricing and marketing (or for finding and negotiating, if you are buying)
- Proof, not promises: recent sales, sale to list ratios and client references
- Straight talk, even when the answer is not what you want to hear
The agent who quotes the highest price or the lowest commission is not automatically the best choice. The one who can explain exactly how they will get you the best net result usually is.
The 12 Questions to Ask a Realtor Before You Sign Anything
For sellers and buyers:
- How many homes like mine have you sold (or helped buyers purchase) in this area in the last 12 months? You want recent, local, similar properties, not a career total.
- Can you show me your last five or ten sales, with list price, sale price and days on market? Good agents have this ready.
- Will I work with you directly, or with a team member? Know who shows up, who negotiates and who answers the phone.
- How do you communicate, and how often? Weekly updates, texts, calls, whatever works, but agree on it upfront.
- Can I speak with two or three recent clients? A confident agent will happily connect you.
- What is your commission, and what exactly does it include? Ask for the full breakdown in writing.
For sellers:
- What price would you list at, and which sales support that? A good answer comes with comparable sales, not a gut feeling.
- What is your marketing plan? Photos, video, floor plans, staging, online reach, open houses, and how your network gets the word out.
- What would you change about my home before listing, and what would you leave alone? Look for practical, cost aware advice. Our guide to preparing a home for sale in North Vancouver shows what usually pays off.
- What happens if we do not get an offer in the first two to three weeks? You want a plan, not a shrug.
For buyers:
- How do you find homes before they hit the market, and how do you handle multiple offers? Local network and offer strategy matter a lot on the North Shore.
- Which strata documents and reports will you review with me, and what do you look for? A strong buyer’s agent knows the red flags in Form Bs, depreciation reports and minutes.
How to Verify an Agent’s Real Numbers: Sale to List Ratio, Days on Market and Deal Count
Anyone can say they are “a top producer.” Here is how to check:
| Metric | What it tells you | What good looks like |
|---|---|---|
| Deal count in the last 12 months | How active and current they are | Several local sales, in your price range |
| Sale to list ratio | How close their sales come to the list price | Close to 100% or higher in a balanced market, and consistent |
| Average days on market | How well they price and market | At or below the local average for similar homes |
| Price reductions | Whether their pricing is realistic | Few, and small if any |
| Expired listings | Homes that did not sell | Rare |
Ask for these numbers for your specific type of home in your area. A high sale to list ratio on condos tells you little about how they will sell a $3 million house in the British Properties. A great agent will also explain the numbers, for example why a listing took longer in a slower month.
Licence, Brokerage and Discipline History: How to Check in Two Minutes
Every real estate professional in BC must be licensed with the BC Financial Services Authority (BCFSA). Checking takes two minutes:
- Go to the BCFSA website and use the licensee search tool.
- Search the agent’s name.
- Confirm they are licensed for trading services, see which brokerage they are with, and check that the licence is active.
- Search BCFSA’s published discipline decisions for their name.
Also check their online reviews on Google and other sites, and look at how they respond to negative ones. How someone handles a complaint says a lot about them.
What a Listing Agreement Commits You To and What Is Negotiable
When you sell, you sign a listing agreement (often a Multiple Listing Contract) with the agent’s brokerage. Read these parts carefully:
| Term | What it means | Can you negotiate it? |
|---|---|---|
| Length of the listing | How long the brokerage has to sell, often 3 to 6 months | Yes |
| Commission | How much you pay and how it is split with the buyer’s agent | Yes |
| Holdover or protection period | If a buyer who saw the home during the listing buys after it ends, you may still owe commission | Yes, the length |
| Marketing commitments | What the agent will do and spend on | Yes, ask for it in writing |
| Cancellation terms | Whether you can end the agreement early and on what terms | Yes |
| Price | The list price, which you control | Yes, it is your decision |
Commissions in BC are fully negotiable. A common structure is 7% on the first $100,000 and 2.5% on the rest, plus GST, but it varies. Focus on your net result, not only the percentage. Our guides on the full cost to sell a home in BC and who pays realtor commission in BC break it down.
Buyer’s Agency in BC: What Changed and What You Are Signing
A few things have changed for buyers in BC over the last few years:
- Dual agency is essentially gone. Since June 2021, one agent generally cannot represent both the buyer and the seller in the same deal. If you call the listing agent directly, they may treat you as an unrepresented party, not their client.
- You get disclosure forms upfront. Before an agent helps you, they must give you a Disclosure of Representation in Trading Services, which explains who they work for.
- Buyer agency agreements are more common. Many brokerages now ask buyers to sign a written buyer’s agency agreement. BCFSA rules do not make one mandatory, but when you do sign, it is a binding contract. BCFSA’s guide to understanding your buyer’s agency agreement is worth a read.
- There is a rescission period. Since January 2023, most residential offers come with a 3 business day cooling off period after acceptance, with a fee of 0.25% of the price if you cancel.
Before you sign a buyer’s agency agreement, check:
- How long it lasts and which areas it covers
- Whether it is exclusive
- How your agent gets paid, and whether you might owe anything if the seller does not cover it
- How you can end it early
Six Red Flags at the Listing Presentation
- A price far above everyone else’s, with no solid sales to back it up. This is often called “buying the listing.” It usually leads to price drops later.
- No specific marketing plan, just “we will put it on MLS.”
- Pressure to sign on the spot, or a very long listing term.
- Vague answers about their recent sales, or numbers they will not show you.
- Discount commission with a catch, like minimal marketing or a hand off to a junior team member.
- Bad mouthing other agents instead of explaining their own value.
Choosing for a Sale vs Choosing for a Purchase: Different Skills
| What matters most | For selling | For buying |
|---|---|---|
| Core skill | Pricing, presentation, marketing | Finding the right home, due diligence |
| Negotiation | Getting top dollar and good terms | Getting the right price and protective subjects |
| Local knowledge | What buyers pay for on your street | Which streets, buildings and stratas to avoid |
| Paperwork | Disclosure, listing documents | Strata documents, inspections, financing timelines |
| Time commitment | Intense for a few weeks | Can stretch over months |
Many agents do both, but their strengths can differ. Ask them directly which side they do more of, and look for results that match what you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many realtors should I interview?
Two or three is usually enough to compare pricing, plans and personality.
Is a family member or friend a good choice as my realtor?
It can be, if they are active in your area and you are comfortable being direct with them about money.
Can I negotiate realtor commission in BC?
Yes. Commission is always negotiable in BC.
How do I check if a realtor is licensed in BC?
Use the licensee search on the BCFSA website.
Can one realtor represent both the buyer and the seller?
Generally no. Dual agency has been restricted in BC since June 2021, with very limited exceptions.
What if I am unhappy with my realtor?
Talk to them first, then their managing broker. If needed, you can file a complaint with BCFSA.
Do I have to sign a buyer’s agency agreement?
Not by law, but many brokerages ask for one. Read it carefully before signing.
Should I pick the realtor who suggests the highest price?
Not automatically. Ask to see the sales that support the price. An unrealistic price often costs you in the long run.
How long is a typical listing agreement?
Often three to six months, but it is negotiable.
Interviewing Agents on the North Shore? Here’s What I’d Bring to the Meeting
If I were in your shoes, I would walk into every interview with the same list: the 12 questions above, a request for recent local sales and sale to list ratios, and a copy of the listing or buyer’s agency agreement to read before signing anything. That is exactly what you should expect from me too.
I’m Navid Hakimi, and I work with buyers and sellers across North and West Vancouver. When we meet, I bring a pricing analysis based on real, recent sales on your street, a written marketing or search plan, and client references you can call. No pressure, and no long lock ins. Book a no pressure meeting with Navid, or read more about Navid and his background first.
Current as of September 2026. This is general information, not legal advice. Always read any listing or buyer’s agency agreement carefully before signing.
