Choosing a Realtor is one of the first real decisions you make when you buy or sell a home, and it shapes almost every decision after it. 🏡 In my years as a banker and now as a Broker of Record here in Durham Region, I've seen people pick an agent because of one Instagram post, a lawn sign, or a cousin's friend, and only later learn what they should have asked first. This guide walks you through how to choose a Realtor in Durham Region step by step: how to build a shortlist, what to check before you meet anyone, the questions worth asking, and what to look for in the agreement you'll sign.
If you read my earlier post, What Makes a Great Realtor?, think of that as the "what" (the qualities) and this one as the "how": the practical process for finding the right person for your move in Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa, Clarington, Pickering or anywhere else in Durham.
Why the right Realtor matters in today's Durham market
Durham isn't one market. It's several markets that move at different speeds. According to TRREB's October 2026 Market Watch, Durham Region recorded 589 sales at an average price of $793,024 (median $740,000), with homes selling on average at 98% of list price. Across the GTA, the average price was $1,024,108, down 2.7% from a year earlier.
Look at the spread between towns, though:
Average sale price by Durham municipality, October 2026
Source: TRREB Market Watch, October 2026 (all home types)
That's a gap of more than $265,000 between the average sale in Ajax and the average sale in Oshawa in the same month. Speed differs too. Homes in Pickering took 40 days on average to sell (property days on market), while Oshawa homes took 49.
Average days on market (PDOM), October 2026
Source: TRREB Market Watch, October 2026 (all home types)
So the agent you choose needs to know the specific pocket you're buying or selling in, not just "Durham" in general. With 2,619 active listings across the region in October, buyers have choice, and sellers need a sharp pricing and marketing plan. That's exactly where a good agent earns their keep. 📊
Step 1: Get clear on what you need before you search
Before you look at a single agent profile, write down three things:
- Your goal: buying your first home, moving up, downsizing, selling, or buying an investment property.
- Your area: for example, a freehold townhouse in north Oshawa, a detached home in Brooklin, or a condo near the Ajax GO station.
- Your timeline and budget: including whether you need to sell before you buy.
A first-time buyer in Courtice needs something different from a landlord selling a tenanted duplex in Oshawa. Knowing your needs lets you judge whether an agent's experience actually fits.
Step 2: Build a shortlist of three
The Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO) suggests interviewing at least three agents. Good places to find them:
- Referrals from friends, family and colleagues who recently bought or sold in Durham
- Agents who are active in the neighbourhood you care about (recent sales, open houses, local market updates)
- Educational content: blogs, videos and seminars that show how the agent thinks, not just what they've sold
A referral is a great start, but it's not a substitute for doing your own checks.
Step 3: Verify registration on the RECO Public Register ✅
Every real estate agent and brokerage trading in Ontario must be registered with RECO. Before you meet anyone, look them up on RECO's free Public Register at reco.on.ca. It shows:
- Whether the agent is currently registered, and with which brokerage
- The brokerage's Broker of Record and contact details
- Any disciplinary history
It takes two minutes and it's one of the easiest ways to protect yourself.
Step 4: Interview them with the right questions
Treat this like a job interview, because it is one. Here are the questions I'd ask if I were in your shoes:
| Question | What a strong answer sounds like |
|---|---|
| What's happening in my specific area right now? | Current local numbers (prices, days on market, sale-to-list) with a source, not just "the market is hot" or "the market is slow" |
| How much experience do you have with my type of property? | Specific, relevant examples: condos, freeholds, new builds, tenanted or multi-unit properties |
| Buyers: how will you find homes and negotiate for me? | A clear search plan, how they assess value, and how they handle conditions and competing offers |
| Sellers: how will you price and market my home? | A pricing approach based on comparable sales, plus a written marketing plan |
| Who will I actually be working with day to day? | A straight answer about the agent, team members and how quickly they respond |
| Can I speak with a few past clients? | Yes, with references you can contact yourself |
| What exactly is included in your services, and what do you charge? | A written list of services and a clear explanation of fees |
RECO also recommends asking for references and then actually calling those clients. Ask them what went well and what they wish had been done differently.
Step 5: Understand the agreement before you sign 📝
Under Ontario's Trust in Real Estate Services Act (TRESA), the rules around representation agreements are clearer than they used to be. According to the RECO Information Guide:
- Your agent must walk you through the RECO Information Guide before providing services or assistance.
- Your agreement must be in writing and presented to you as soon as possible.
- It must clearly set out the services you'll receive. If a service isn't in the agreement, don't assume it's included.
- The expiry date must appear prominently on the first page. Watch for a holdover clause, which can apply after the agreement ends.
- Buyers' agreements must spell out what you'll pay the brokerage, and what happens if the seller covers some or all of it.
On fees: commissions in Ontario are negotiable and not set by law. RECO, government and real estate associations don't fix them. You and the brokerage decide what you'll pay, whether that's a fixed amount, a percentage, or a mix. Compare what each agent offers for the fee, not just the number. If anything in the agreement is unclear, you can have a real estate lawyer review it before you sign.
Step 6: Check for fit and communication style
Skills matter, but so does fit. After each interview, ask yourself:
- Did they listen more than they talked?
- Did they explain things in plain language, without pressure?
- Were they honest about the trade-offs, even when it wasn't what you wanted to hear?
- Do their working hours and communication style (call, text, email) match yours?
You'll be talking with this person a lot, sometimes at 9 p.m. during a negotiation. You want someone you trust and feel comfortable with.
Step 7: Watch for red flags 🚩
- They promise a sale price or a "guaranteed" result before seeing your home or your numbers
- They can't show recent, relevant local data
- They push you to sign immediately, or won't let you take the agreement home to read
- They're vague about who does the work or what's included
- They don't appear on the RECO Public Register, or the details don't match
How we approach this: The Affluentia Way
Every client I work with goes through the same four-stage plan we call The Affluentia Way:
- Clarity: We start with your numbers, options and goals, so you know exactly what you need from a Realtor and what your move looks like before you commit to anything.
- Positioning: We set you up to win, whether that's getting pre-approved and targeting the right Durham neighbourhood as a buyer, or pricing and preparing your home as a seller.
- Execution: We carry out the plan together, from showings or listing launch through negotiation, conditions and closing, with clear communication at every step.
- Expansion: After closing, we look ahead to your next property or bigger goal, because your first home is property number one.
Let's talk about your next move
The best way to choose a Realtor is to meet a few and ask good questions, and I'd be glad to be one of the conversations on your list. 😊 Whether you're buying your first home in Oshawa, selling in Whitby, or planning an investment property in Clarington, I'll walk you through my plan, the RECO Information Guide and our agreement before you decide anything.
📅 Book a free 30-minute call or call me directly at 647.282.8078.
Neeraj Khanna, Broker of Record, Affluentia Realty
This article is general information only and is not legal, tax or financial advice. Market figures are from TRREB's October 2026 Market Watch; regulatory details are from the Real Estate Council of Ontario. Please consult a qualified real estate lawyer or other professional about your own situation.