How To Choose a Realtor in Vancouver

Selecting the right Realtor Vancouver to represent you and your property is a major decision. It takes some research, time, and careful thought, but choosing well can save you stress, protect your privacy, and help you achieve stronger results when selling.

Here is how I look at choosing the right agent for Vancouver real estate, whether you own a downtown condo, a family home on the West Side, or a luxury view property in West Vancouver or North Vancouver.

Look For a Direct, Personal Relationship

I always recommend choosing a Realtor you can deal with directly, not only through assistants or a large team. In higher value and luxury real estate, this personal access is rare but very important.

When you work with an agent who speaks with you directly and attends key showings, you gain:

• Clear, consistent communication
• Faster answers to your questions
• A better strategy tailored to your life, your property, and your timing

If you are selling Vancouver condos, townhomes in a strata building, or detached Vancouver homes for sale in busy Vancouver neighbourhoods, that personal touch matters. It affects how your property is presented, how buyers experience it, and how your offer negotiations unfold.

Choose a Realtor With Proven Success in Homes Like Yours

Past results matter, but they need to be relevant to your type of property and area.

When I choose or recommend an agent, I look for:

• Experience in similar price ranges
• A track record in the same or similar Vancouver neighbourhoods
• Success with the same property type (for example, strata condos, townhouses, luxury homes, or view properties)

If you are selling a Yaletown or Coal Harbour condo, you want someone who understands strata rules, common issues with depreciation reports, and how to market to condo buyers.

If you are selling a family home in Kitsilano, East Vancouver, West Vancouver, or North Vancouver, you want an agent who knows school catchments, lot values, and how to position your home among other Vancouver homes for sale.

Most agents share their sold listings online. I like to review those and ask:

• Do these properties look like mine in style or price?
• Are they in my part of Greater Vancouver?
• Is there consistent performance in my segment, not just one lucky sale?

This gives a clear picture of whether that Realtor is suited to your property or not.

Ask For Referrals And Take Time To Interview

Real estate is a business, and you are hiring someone to handle one of your largest assets. I treat it like any serious hiring decision.

Here is how I approach it:

1. Start with referrals
   I speak with friends, family, or colleagues who have recently bought or sold in Greater Vancouver. I ask what they liked, what they did not like, and if they would hire that person again.
2. Shortlist a few agents
   I look for strong local knowledge, a calm and confident style, and clear experience in Vancouver real estate that matches my needs.
3. Interview like an employer
   In our market, with common bidding wars, tight subject removal periods, and constant market shifts, I want to know:
   • How they handle competing offers
   • How they protect price and terms
   • How they communicate during stressful moments
   • How they explain key items such as the rescission period, property transfer tax (BC), strata documents, and subject conditions

I treat these meetings as formal interviews. The right agent should be able to walk through a clear plan, not just talk in general terms.

(For any legal or tax topics, including property transfer tax (BC), I always confirm details with a lawyer, accountant, or other qualified professional.)

See How They Perform In A Real Sales Setting

Online reviews and glossy brochures are one thing. Watching an agent in action with real buyers is another.

When possible, I like to visit an open house hosted by the agent I am considering. In a live sales environment, I watch for:

• How they greet and qualify buyers
• How well they know the property and surrounding Vancouver neighbourhoods
• How clearly they explain strata fees, bylaws, and rules for Vancouver condos
• How they handle questions about schools, transit, and amenities in Greater Vancouver

This shows their communication style, professionalism, and comfort with real-time questions. If they can present someone else’s listing with confidence and precision, it is a good sign of how they will handle mine.

Look For Strong Market Knowledge, Not Just Sales Talk

In a city like Vancouver, information changes quickly. Interest rates, government policy, and buyer sentiment can shift within weeks.

I want a Realtor who:

• Provides a clear, up-to-date market update, not just a general opinion
• Understands how different areas react at different speeds, for example:
  • Downtown and False Creek condos
  • Single-family homes in West Vancouver and North Vancouver
  • Entry-level Vancouver homes for sale in East Vancouver
• Explains how current conditions affect my list price, timing, and strategy

This is especially important when luxury real estate is involved, where pricing, privacy, and quiet marketing can matter more than broad exposure.

Ask How They Handle Offers, Bidding Wars, And Legal Details

The way an agent manages the offer stage often determines your final outcome.

When I talk to a potential Realtor Vancouver, I ask them to walk me through:

• How they handle bidding wars and multiple offers
• How they protect my position on price, dates, and subjects
• How they manage the legal steps around the rescission period and subject removal
• How they coordinate with my lawyer, accountant, and mortgage broker

For condos and townhouses, I also want to know how they review strata minutes, contingency reserve funds, special levies, and bylaws. These details can decide whether a buyer stays confident or walks away.

Again, for legal and tax questions, I always check with qualified professionals. An experienced Realtor can highlight issues, but they do not replace legal or tax advice.

Make Sure They Understand You, Not Just Your Property

After all the research, reviews, and interviews, the final choice often comes down to fit.

When I commit to an agent, I ask myself:

• Do they really listen to my goals and concerns?
• Do they understand my lifestyle and timing, not just my sale price?
• Do I trust them to speak on my behalf with buyers and other agents?
• Do I feel comfortable sharing candid details that may affect my move?

The right Realtor should protect your privacy, represent your interests with discipline, and stay focused on results, not just volume. That is especially true in higher value and luxury real estate across Greater Vancouver.

Ready To Talk About Your Vancouver Sale Or Purchase?

If you are thinking about selling, upsizing, or moving between Vancouver neighbourhoods, I can walk you through your options, whether you own a downtown condo, a family home, or a luxury property in West Vancouver or North Vancouver.

I offer private, no-pressure conversations and detailed market evaluation reports tailored to your specific property type and area.

If you would like a current market update or a confidential opinion on your home, you can reach out to book a call or request a market evaluation.