The Short Answer
Choose the REALTORĀ® who can show you the clearest plan, backed by evidence, not the one who quotes the highest price. Interview at least two or three agents. Check each one on RECO's public registrant search, which shows registration status and any discipline in the past five years. Ask for recent Markham sales similar to your home, a written pricing rationale, a specific marketing plan and how they will communicate with you. Before you sign, read the listing agreement for its expiry date, holdover clause, services and commission. In Ontario, commission is not set by RECO, the government or any real estate board. It is fully negotiable.
Want this applied to your own property? Call the Kaizen Real Estate Team at (647) 370-8885.
Why the Choice Matters
Your REALTORĀ® sets the price strategy, prepares the home for market, decides who sees it and negotiates every term of the deal. Two agents can list the same home and get very different results, mostly because of pricing and preparation in the first two weeks.
Michael John Lau, a REALTORĀ® with the Kaizen Real Estate Team, one of the most active real estate teams in Markham and York Region, encourages every seller to interview more than one agent. A seller who understands the options makes a better decision, whoever they choose.
Questions About Your Situation?
Every Markham property and every timeline is different. Call the Kaizen Real Estate Team at (647) 370-8885 and speak to a REALTORĀ® who works this market daily.
Step 1: Check the Basics on RECO
Every agent and brokerage in Ontario must be registered with the Real Estate Council of Ontario. RECO's public registrant search shows:
- Whether the agent is currently registered, and with which brokerage.
- The brokerage's broker of record.
- Discipline decisions, charges and other enforcement from the past five years.
It takes two minutes and is the simplest way to rule someone out.
Step 2: Ask the Right Questions
Ask | What a strong answer looks like |
|---|---|
What have similar homes near me sold for recently? | Specific sold comparables, not only active listings |
How did you arrive at your suggested price? | A written rationale you can follow |
What should I fix before listing, and what should I skip? | A short, practical list tied to what buyers notice |
What is your marketing plan? | Photography, video, floor plan, MLS, online exposure, and how showings will work |
How will offers be handled? | A clear approach to offer dates, multiple offers and conditions |
How often will I hear from you? | A set schedule, with written feedback after showings |
Who will I actually deal with? | Clear roles if a team is involved |
What are your fees and what do they include? | An open conversation; commission is negotiable |
Step 3: Watch for These Warning Signs
- The highest price, without evidence. An agent who quotes well above recent sales to win your listing may later ask for price reductions. Ask to see the comparables behind any number.
- Pressure to sign today. A good agent gives you time to read the agreement.
- A vague marketing plan. "We'll put it on MLS" is not a plan.
- No written agreement, or blank terms. Ontario rules require a written agreement that states its start and expiry dates, the services and how the fee is calculated.
- Unclear multiple representation. If the same agent might represent you and a buyer, Ontario rules require written disclosure and your written consent, ideally well before any offer.
Neeraj Moolchandani on Asking for the Comparables
Neeraj Moolchandani, REALTORĀ® at Kaizen Real Estate, encourages sellers to ask every agent they interview for the sold comparables behind their suggested price.
A number without evidence is only a guess. Neeraj believes sellers should leave every interview understanding how the price was reached, whichever agent they choose.
Step 4: Understand the Listing Agreement
Under Ontario's Trust in Real Estate Services Act, your agent must walk you through RECO's Information Guide before providing services. When you review the listing agreement, check:
- Expiry date. It must be shown prominently on the first page, and you initial it. A shorter term gives you more flexibility.
- Holdover period. This can require you to pay a fee if you sell to someone introduced during the listing, even after it ends. Know how long it lasts.
- Commission. How it is calculated, including any amount offered to a buyer's brokerage. It is not set by RECO, the government or any board.
- Termination. The circumstances in which either side can end the agreement.
- MLS and marketing. Under CREA's cooperation rule for REALTORSĀ®, a home that is publicly marketed must go on MLS within three days unless you sign a written opt-out.
The full list of selling costs is in what it costs to sell a house in Markham.
Step 5: Check Results and Reviews
- Recent sales: ask to see homes the agent sold in Markham in the last year, with list and sale prices.
- Reviews: read what sellers say about communication, preparation and negotiation, not only the final price.
- Local knowledge: ask how buyers see your specific street, school catchment and housing type.
Interviewing Agents?
Compare plans, not promises. The Kaizen Real Estate Team welcomes sellers who are speaking with more than one agent.
Step 6: Make Your Choice
The right REALTORĀ® is the one whose plan you understand and trust, who explains the reasoning behind every recommendation, and who will tell you something you may not want to hear when it matters. If you are considering selling on your own, selling without a REALTORĀ® in Markham covers the trade-offs, and how to sell your house in Markham in 2026 walks through the whole process.
A good agent will also raise the topics that protect you: what sellers should disclose by law and the buyer red flags to watch for.
Next Steps
- Read client reviews ā what Michael's sellers say about working together.
- See recent sold listings ā real Markham results.
- Book a no-pressure listing consultation ā compare plans before you decide.