Frequently Asked Questions

Real estate commission in Ontario is always negotiable and never fixed by law. In Markham and the Greater Toronto Area, total commission commonly falls in the range of roughly 3.5% to 5% of the final sale price, typically shared between the listing brokerage and the buyer's brokerage. Buyers usually pay no commission directly, as it is customarily covered by the seller. The right number depends on the property, the market, and the scope of marketing and service — it should be discussed openly before any listing agreement is signed.

Marketing a Markham luxury home starts with precision pricing from recent comparable sales, then layers professional staging, architectural and twilight photography, cinematic video, and full digital distribution across Instagram, YouTube, and the major real estate portals. For luxury and estate properties, marketing extends to targeted advertising, email campaigns to qualified buyer networks, and discreet private outreach where appropriate. Michael John Lau, a REALTOR® in eXp Realty's Luxury Division, tracks buyer engagement throughout and adjusts the plan so the property reaches serious, qualified buyers.

Yes — Michael John Lau publishes monthly Markham market updates covering recent sales, price movement, days on market, and sell-to-list ratios, broken down to the neighbourhood level for communities across Markham and York Region. These data-driven reports help buyers and sellers time their move and understand what is actually happening on their street, rather than relying on broad regional headlines that can lag the local market by months.

Yes — an experienced Markham buyer's agent can surface off-market and pre-market opportunities through local networks and broker connections, giving buyers more options and sometimes less competition. On negotiation, the agent advises on offer price, terms, and conditions and manages the process using current sold data and market trends — protecting the buyer while working to secure the strongest possible deal. In a competitive market, that professional guidance often makes a measurable difference in both price and terms.

First-time buyers in Markham receive step-by-step guidance covering budgeting with real numbers, mortgage pre-qualification and required documents, down payments, and closing costs. The buyer's agent explains how to compare listings, structure a competitive offer, and use conditions that keep the offer safe. Buyers also get access to a home search portal and real-time neighbourhood sold prices, so they can move with confidence and avoid overpaying — with an agent available to clarify each step along the way.

Yes — the Kaizen Real Estate Team includes a member who is both a REALTOR® and a licensed mortgage agent, so buyers can get help finding the right home alongside informed guidance on mortgage options, pre-approval, and budgeting. Having real estate and financing expertise on one team streamlines the process and helps buyers make confident, well-informed decisions.

Yes — for renters, a Markham real estate agent finds listings that fit your needs and budget, arranges showings, prepares a competitive rental application with the documents landlords require, and reviews lease terms before you sign. For landlords, the agent markets the property, screens and qualifies tenants, handles showings, and sets up the lease agreement. The goal on both sides is a smooth process where you understand your options at every step.

Michael John Lau is a Markham REALTOR® and leader of the Kaizen Real Estate Team at eXp Realty's Luxury Division, with more than a decade of experience, 75+ five-star reviews, and recognition as an ICON Agent in 2024 and 2025. His approach pairs data-driven pricing from street-level TRREB sold data with full-service luxury marketing across Markham and York Region. Clients choose him for a process built on accurate valuation, professional presentation, and responsive, informed guidance from first conversation to closing.