a guide to
Choosing a Rockstar Realtor (and Avoiding the Duds!)
Let’s be real—buying or selling a home is one of the biggest financial moves of your life. So why would you trust just anyone to handle it? You wouldn’t let your friend’s cousin, who “totally flips houses on the side,” perform surgery on you—so why take that risk with your biggest asset? Choosing the right realtor is the difference between a smooth, successful transaction and a stressful, drawn-out nightmare. Here’s how to find an agent who’s not only competent but also won’t disappear on you when the going gets tough.
1. Check Their Credentials
Would you trust a doctor without a medical degree? No? Then don’t trust a realtor without proper licensing and good standing. A quick search should confirm they’re a registered agent in your area. In Ontario, you can go here to search for an agent – this will tell you if their licence is active and if there have been any complaints or discipline history.
We have all heard the horror stories of people who practice unethically and this is a great way to verify that they have a clean record.
2. Stalk them (online obviously not in real life)
Before you reach out, do a little digging. A good realtor in 2025 should have an active online presence—think market updates, client success stories, tips and tricks. If their last post was from 2017 and features a blurry listing photo, you might want to keep looking. We recommend you check the following:
- Social Media – Facebook pages, Tik Tok, Instagram. How are they marketing listings? Are they providing valuable info to consumers?
2. Website – this is a great place to understand how agents work, what their values are and what services they offer. Blogs are also a great place to get an understanding of their knowledge.
3. Google Reviews– many agents ask clients to leave a review once the transaction has completed.
4. Call them about one of their current listings – I can’t tell you how many times I have called an agent to get info on a listing and never hear back – you don’t want an agent who doesn’t respond to potential buyers.
3. Set up an interview
Ensure your agent is reviewing any and all paperwork with you. Ask questions – we suggest these:
- How do you market properties?
- What is your communication plan?
- What is your pricing strategy?
- How do you handle multiple offer scenarios?
- Any questions about contents of paperwork
- Can I see samples of your marketing including photos? (Make sure their listing photos aren’t taken from a cell phone!)
You want an agent that has a strategy and is a solid communicator. If they start mumbling about “going with the flow”—run. Fast.
4. Watch out for over promisers
If an agent promises to sell your home for way more than market value or guarantees you’ll find the perfect house within a week, take a step back. They should be able to back up their plan with data – average days on market in the area and recently sold comparable homes.
Good agents are honest, realistic, and data-driven—not magicians.
The Bottom Line: Choose Wisely!
A great realtor is part market expert, part therapist, part negotiator, and full-time advocate for YOU. Take the time to find someone who’s experienced, communicative, and—let’s be honest—someone you won’t want to strangle after spending weeks house hunting together.
Looking for a real estate dream team? Let’s chat! We promise to show up, work hard, and never ghost you. 😉
