Knowledge centre
Pause when you are rushed to sign, receive blank sections, hear that terms cannot be changed, cannot get a copy, are promised verbal exceptions, are discouraged from legal or financing advice, or are not told how commission, termination, holdover and conflicts work. Good representation can withstand informed questions.
Your Realtor should protect your confidential information, explain the offer process and follow your lawful instructions. A competing-offer deadline does not remove the need to understand price, deposit, conditions, irrevocable time and closing risk. Ask what is verified, what is the seller’s direction and what remains unknown.
Give written search instructions requiring all suitable properties to be presented, including those where the seller contribution to brokerage fees differs. Ask the Realtor to show the compensation effect separately from the property’s merits. A fee difference should not quietly decide which homes the buyer sees.
The listing agent normally protects the seller’s interests. An open-house host may also represent the seller, depending on the representation arrangement, and should explain their role. Do not disclose your maximum price, urgency, financing weakness or negotiation strategy until you know who represents you.
Under brokerage representation, the brokerage and its agents represent the client. Under designated representation, named designated representative(s) represent the client while other agents at the brokerage do not. Multiple representation arises in specified same-trade situations and requires informed consent; a buyer does not have to agree.
Expiry, cancellation and release are different. An agreement may end on its expiry date yet still create payment obligations for a stated holdover period if the buyer later purchases a property introduced during the agreement. If the relationship is not working, obtain a written release and understand what obligations remain.
Ask for more than access to listings. The agreement or schedule should describe the actual work: needs analysis, property search, comparable-sale review, showing strategy, document review, offer preparation, negotiation, condition management, deadline tracking and coordination with the lawyer, inspector and mortgage professional.
Yes. The buyer’s agreement sets what the buyer owes for representation. A seller may offer to cover all, some or none of that amount. If the seller contribution is lower, the buyer may owe the shortfall unless the agreement or a later written arrangement says otherwise.
The scope should match the work you are asking the brokerage to perform. A buyer searching for a Brampton townhouse does not automatically need to sign for every property type across Ontario. Specify the area, property type, price or named property and choose an expiry you can understand and manage.
Do not wait for one perfect assignee. Run four files at the same time: a realistic assignment, a mortgage plan to close, a rental cash-flow plan and a lawyer-led discussion about contractual options. The best route is the one the client can complete before the builder deadline with a tolerable loss and a credible exit.