The Short Answer

What questions should you ask a realtor when selling? Ask about their local track record, their pricing analysis for your home, their marketing plan, their negotiation approach, communication, commission and what it includes, how to prepare your home, and the realistic timeline. Then evaluate the answers for expertise, honesty, and fit — and be wary of anyone promising an unrealistically high price.

Before you hire a realtor to sell your Markham home, you should interview them — and knowing the right questions to ask is how you identify the agent who will achieve the best outcome for your sale. Michael John Lau, a top real estate agent in Markham, provides the essential questions to ask a realtor when selling your home.

Why the Interview Matters

Hiring a realtor to sell your home is a significant decision — the agent will determine your sale's price, speed, and smoothness. Interviewing potential agents allows you to evaluate their expertise, approach, and fit before entrusting them with one of your largest assets.

Questions About Expertise and Track Record

What is your experience in my area?

How well do they know your specific Markham community, its buyers, and its pricing dynamics? Local expertise is essential to a strong sale.

What is your track record?

What results have they achieved — homes sold, sale-to-list ratios, client outcomes? A proven record is evidence, not just a promise.

How did you arrive at your pricing?

Can they show you a rigorous CMA and explain the comparables and market conditions behind their recommended price? The analysis matters more than the number.

What is your marketing plan?

How will they market your home — photography, online exposure, and reach? Effective marketing drives demand and price.

How will you showcase my home's strengths?

How will they highlight your home's specific strengths — its features, its location, its appeal — to attract buyers?

Questions About the Process and Service

What is your negotiation approach?

How will they negotiate to achieve the best price and terms for you? Negotiation skill directly affects your outcome.

How will you communicate with me?

How will they keep you informed and manage the process? Clear communication and smooth process management make the experience far better.

What is your commission, and what does it include?

Understand the commission and what services it includes. Commission is negotiable; understand the value the agent provides for it.

What should I do to prepare my home?

The agent should provide guidance on preparing your home — repairs, updates, staging, and presentation — to achieve the best outcome. Their guidance reveals their expertise and commitment to your success.

What is the realistic timeline?

The agent should provide a realistic timeline for your sale based on the current market and your specific home. Understanding the timeline helps you plan.

Evaluating the Answers

As you interview agents, evaluate their answers for expertise, honesty, and fit. The right agent provides knowledgeable, well-supported answers that demonstrate their competence and their commitment to your success. Be wary of agents who make unrealistic promises (an unrealistically high price, an unrealistically fast sale) to win your listing — these promises often lead to disappointment. Choose the agent whose answers demonstrate the knowledge, track record, and approach to achieve the best outcome for your home.

Michael John Lau, a top real estate agent in Markham, welcomes these questions from every seller — providing knowledgeable, honest, well-supported answers that demonstrate his expertise, track record, and commitment to achieving the best outcome. Interviewing your realtor is how you protect your sale; ask these questions to identify the agent who will achieve the best result for your home.

Frequently Asked Questions

What questions should I ask a realtor when selling?▼
Ask about their local track record and recent results, their pricing analysis for your home, their marketing plan, how they will showcase your home's strengths, their negotiation approach, how they communicate, their commission and what it includes, how to prepare your home, and the realistic timeline. Evaluate the answers for expertise, honesty, and fit.
What is a red flag when interviewing an agent?▼
Be wary of agents who make unrealistic promises \u2014 an unrealistically high price or an unrealistically fast sale \u2014 to win your listing. These promises often lead to disappointment. Choose the agent whose answers are knowledgeable, honest, and well-supported.

Interview Markham's Top Realtor

Michael John Lau, REALTOR® CPA, CMA, welcomes these questions from every seller — with knowledgeable, honest, well-supported answers. Book a free consultation and ask him anything.

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