Choosing a real estate agent to list your Montreal property is one of the most consequential decisions in the selling process. The right broker adds value far beyond their commission - the wrong one costs you time, money, and significantly more stress than necessary. Here is how to evaluate candidates objectively.
Local Transaction History
The most important question to ask any prospective listing agent is: what have you sold within 500 metres of my property in the past 12 months? An agent with recent, relevant comparable sales understands your specific buyer pool, knows what premium your property type commands, and has likely already worked with buyers who would be perfect candidates for your home.
Beware of agents who respond with citywide statistics or portfolio volume numbers. That is not the same as neighbourhood-level expertise.
Marketing Quality and Infrastructure
Ask to see examples of previous listings: photography, video tours, listing copy, and social media promotion. The gap between agents in marketing quality is enormous, and it shows directly in how many buyers see your property and how they perceive it.
A broker who takes smartphone photos and writes generic descriptions is not providing the same service as one with professional photographers, videographers, and a targeted digital distribution strategy. Ask specifically who takes their listing photos and where listings are distributed beyond Centris.
Communication Style
You will be working closely with this person through one of the larger financial transactions of your life. Ask how they communicate (calls, texts, email), how often you can expect updates, and how they handle situations where the market is not responding as expected. The answer reveals as much about their character as their competence.
Avoid the Highest-Price Trap
"Buying the listing" - suggesting an inflated price to win your business - is one of the oldest tactics in real estate. If one agent suggests a list price $80,000 higher than two others, ask them to show you the comparable sales that support it. If they cannot, the number is a pitch, not an analysis.
The Interview Is a Two-Way Evaluation
The best agents interview clients as much as clients interview them. An agent who asks intelligent questions about your timeline, your goals, your next property, and your concerns is one who is thinking about your outcome - not just about winning the listing. That orientation is exactly what you want carrying your property to market.