Knowledge centre
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.
Choose according to timeline, contract risk, cash-flow capacity, appraisal exposure and tolerance for uncertainty—not the appeal of “new” versus “used.” New construction can provide more time to save and a new property, but the future closing, adjustments, occupancy period and appraisal create risks that do not appear in the advertised price. Resale offers more current information but often requires faster financing and condition decisions.
Compare the total monthly cost, cash reserve, ownership responsibilities, restrictions and expected length of ownership—not the list price alone. The best property type is not decided by purchase price alone. Maintenance responsibility, condo fees, reserve funds, rules, insurance, renovation freedom and future resale can change both affordability and lifestyle.