Best Tips for Finding the Perfect Real Estate Agent
There is no “perfect” agent in the abstract — there is the right agent for your property type, your area, and your timeline. The job of finding one is mostly the job of building a short list of three local specialists and interviewing all of them on the same script.
Where to source candidates
- Walk your neighbourhood. The agents whose names appear on multiple sold signs in the last 12 months work where you live.
- Search recent comparable sales on REALTOR.ca and note the listing brokerages and agents.
- Ask neighbours who recently bought or sold who they used and what they’d do differently.
- Check Google reviews, but read the 3-star reviews, not the 5-star ones — those are where you find the truth.
Verify what they tell you
Every claim an agent makes (“we sell most of our listings in under 14 days”, “we specialise in your neighbourhood”) is verifiable on public MLS® data. Ask for the addresses behind the claim and look them up.
Match the agent to the transaction
A great freehold agent is not automatically a great condo agent, and a great residential agent may not be the right fit for an investment property. If you’re buying a multi-unit or a commercial property, ask specifically about commercial experience — see our guide on buying commercial real estate in Canada.
Don’t skip the chemistry check
You will spend dozens of hours with this person over the next few months. If you find them exhausting in a 30-minute interview, that does not get better. Pick the qualified candidate you actually enjoy talking to.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the highest-volume agent in my area always the best choice?
- Not necessarily. High-volume agents often have teams; you may be working with a junior. Ask who specifically will be your point of contact day-to-day.
- Should I look online reviews or in-person referrals first?
- Both. Online reviews surface red flags at scale; in-person referrals tell you what someone’s experience was like during the deal.
- What if the best agent in my area also represents my neighbour’s competing listing?
- Disclose it and discuss. Brokerage policies handle multiple-representation rules; in some cases the agent will recommend a colleague to keep representation clean.
Related Reading
Work With a Top Toronto Real Estate Agent
Filipe & Isabel Ferreira and the Team Filipehave helped families across Toronto and the GTA for over 20 years. Whether you’re starting your search, we’ll walk you through every step. Call (647) 298-9299 or book a free consultation.