Blog > How to Choose the Right Markham Real Estate Agent to Sell Your Home: Questions, Red Flags and Service Differences
How to Choose the Right Markham Real Estate Agent to Sell Your Home: Questions, Red Flags and Service Differences
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Michael John Lau is a top real estate agent in Markham and a REALTOR® with the Kaizen Real Estate Team, one of the most active real estate teams in Markham and York Region. He believes sellers should interview more than one agent and choose the plan that best fits their goals, not the highest price quoted.
How do you choose the right real estate agent to sell your home in Markham
Interview two or three agents and compare their pricing reasoning, marketing plan, communication and local results, not only commission. Ask each one to show recent comparable sales behind their suggested price. Check their registration on the RECO public register. Be cautious of an agent who quotes a much higher price than everyone else without evidence, since overpricing is a common reason Markham listings sit. Commission is fully negotiable, so compare it alongside the services included.
Questions to Ask Every Agent
- Which recent sales support your price, and why?
- What is your marketing plan, week by week, for the first two weeks?
- How will you prepare the home: repairs, staging, photos, video, floor plans?
- How often will you report on showings and feedback, and how?
- What happens if the home does not sell in the first few weeks?
- Who handles the listing day to day, the agent or a team member?
- How long is the listing agreement, and can it be shortened?
- What is included for the commission, and what is extra?
Comparing Agents Side by Side
| Compare | Good sign | Concern |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Explains recent sales and current competition | A high number with no evidence |
| Marketing | A clear launch plan and professional media | A listing on MLS® and little else |
| Communication | Set update schedule and quick replies | Hard to reach during the interview |
| Local knowledge | Recent sales near your home | Little activity in your area |
| Agreement | Reasonable term, clear services | Long term with vague services |
Red Flags
- Buying the listing: a price far above other agents to win your business.
- Pressure to sign today without time to read the agreement.
- No written marketing plan.
- No discussion of risks, such as winter timing or competing listings.
- Registration issues on the RECO public register.
Interviewing agents to sell your home? Call Michael John Lau, REALTOR®, at (416) 700-0286.
Check the RECO Public Register
Every agent and brokerage trading in Ontario must be registered with the Real Estate Council of Ontario. The public register shows registration status and enforcement activity from the past five years. Since December 1, 2023, under the Trust in Real Estate Services Act, brokerages must also give clients the RECO Information Guide before signing an agreement, which explains your rights.
Commission and Value
Commission is fully negotiable in Ontario. Rather than choosing on the lowest rate alone, compare what each agent includes: staging advice, photography, video, marketing reach, negotiation and support through closing. A plan that helps the home sell at a stronger price can matter more than a small difference in commission. See selling privately vs. on MLS®.
Making Your Decision
Choose the agent whose reasoning you trust and whose plan fits your goals and timeline. Ultimately, the decision is yours. The goal is to make sure you have all the information before you sign.
Next Steps
- Free home evaluation: compare pricing advice with evidence.
- Seller services: see what a full plan includes.
- Selling your Markham home: plan your sale.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many agents should I interview before selling?
Two or three is usually enough to compare pricing, marketing and communication.
What should I ask a listing agent?
Which sales support their price, their marketing plan, how they communicate, and what is included for the commission.
How do I check if an agent is registered in Ontario?
Search the RECO public register, which shows registration status and recent enforcement activity.
Is real estate commission negotiable in Ontario?
Yes. Commission is fully negotiable. Compare it alongside the services included.
Should I choose the agent who suggests the highest price?
Not without evidence. Overpricing is a common reason listings sit and later sell for less.
Can I shorten the listing agreement?
The term is negotiable. Ask before you sign.
Work With Michael John Lau in Markham
Michael John Lau helps Markham sellers compare their options openly, with a price based on recent sales and a clear plan for preparation, marketing and negotiation.
📞 Contact Michael John Lau, REALTOR®
🌐 www.callmikelau.com
Want a second opinion on your selling plan?
Michael John Lau can walk you through pricing evidence and a launch plan for your home.
Michael John Lau, REALTOR® · Markham, Ontario · (416) 700-0286
Disclaimer. Michael John Lau is a licensed REALTOR® serving buyers and sellers in Markham, Ontario and the Greater Toronto Area. RECO public register details are from RECO (June 2026). TRESA requirements are from RECO. Market figures are from TRREB Market Watch (September 2026). Michael John Lau is not a lawyer, accountant, tax advisor or mortgage professional. This article is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Speak with a qualified professional about your own situation.