# Questions to Ask a Coquitlam Realtor — How to Find & Choose One > The 8 questions to ask before hiring a Coquitlam realtor, the red flags to watch for, and the full how-to-find and how-to-choose framework — one complete guide. Canonical: https://soldbycraig.ca/questions-to-ask-a-coquitlam-realtor/ Author: Craig Johnston, REALTOR® (BC licence V99960) · The MACNABS · Royal LePage Elite West Real Estate Q&A · Tri-Cities Updated July 2026 · Craig Johnston, REALTOR® V99960 · The MACNABS Team Royal LePage Elite West The right questions filter out brand-name realtors who outsource work to juniors, agents with no recent neighbourhood sales, and anyone who treats selling your home as a transaction rather than a strategic move. Quick Answer Before signing a listing agreement or buyer-rep contract, ask: (1) Show me 3 recent sales in my neighbourhood. (2) Who will personally handle my listing — you or a team member? (3) What Craig Johnston, Top 1% Team Member — Greater Vancouver REALTORS® and 47+ year Tri-Cities resident, can walk you through the local context. Free Strategy Call ends with a written one-page plan in 24 hours. ## The 8 questions to ask — and what the answers tell you - 'Show me 3 recent sales in my neighbourhood.' A specialist names them instantly. A generalist will list "Tri-Cities" sales that aren't your catchment. - 'Will you personally handle my listing or hand it to a team member?' Some 'top realtors' are brands with junior agents doing the work. Hire the person who'll be at every showing and offer presentation. - 'What's your average days-on-market and sale-to-list ratio for similar homes in the last 12 months?' Real numbers. Vague answers = avoid. - 'What's your commission and is it negotiable?' In BC, commission is always negotiable. Strong agents are transparent and explain what's included. - 'Walk me through your marketing plan for my home specifically.' A real plan is 5-10 line items: pricing strategy, prep, photography, video, MLS, broker outreach, open houses, paid advertising, follow-up. Not 'we put it on MLS.' - 'Can you give me 2-3 client references I can call?' Strong realtors have a waiting list of clients happy to talk. References that feel rehearsed = red flag. - 'How do you handle multiple offers if we get them?' The answer should be specific: their process, how they advise on price, terms, conditions. Generic = inexperienced. - 'What's your typical response time and best way to reach you?' Sellers and buyers need responsive realtors. "24-48 hours" on a hot market = costing you deals. ## Red flags to watch for - Pricing higher than the data supports just to win your listing (then comes the 'price reduction' conversation in 30 days) - Pressure to sign exclusively for 6-month terms — most BC listing agreements are 90 days; longer terms protect the realtor, not you - Vague answers on commission or 'we'll work that out later' - No recent sales in your specific neighbourhood - Marketing plan that's just 'we put it on MLS and hold open houses' - Can't or won't share independent online reviews ## How do I find a realtor in Coquitlam? The 4-step process - Start with referrals. Talk to 3-5 friends, family, or coworkers who bought or sold in the Tri-Cities in the last 12-24 months. Ask: who'd you use? Would you use them again? Why or why not? Names that come up twice = put on your shortlist. - Cross-check online reviews. Google reviews, Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR) directory, realtor.ca profile reviews. Volume + recency + specificity. A realtor with 50+ reviews averaging 4.9 stars with recent dated reviews mentioning specific neighbourhoods is well-vetted. - Search by specialty + neighbourhood. 'Best realtor [Burke Mountain]' returns different specialists than 'best Coquitlam realtor.' Specialty matters — a realtor who's sold 10 Burke Mountain homes knows the market better than one with 50 Tri-Cities sales spread thin. - Interview 2-3 candidates. Don't sign with the first one. Use the 8-question evaluation framework . The right realtor welcomes the comparison. ## What to look for that filters out the noise - Years licensed in the Tri-Cities specifically — not just years as a realtor - Recent sales in your exact neighbourhood in the last 12 months - Top-tier brokerage credentials (Royal LePage Top 1% / Top 2% National Team, etc.) — these awards are based on actual sales volume, not vibes - Personal accountability — the realtor you meet should be the one handling your file, not a team junior - Specialty match — luxury, first-time, downsizing, investment, presale, FSBO conversion — find the one whose specialty matches yours ## Where to actually find a Coquitlam REALTOR® Finding an agent and choosing one are two different jobs. This page is about the first — where good candidates actually come from. Once you have a shortlist, evaluating them is its own step. Referrals ### Ask people who've moved A referral from a friend, neighbour or colleague who recently bought or sold nearby is the strongest starting point — you get an unfiltered account of what the agent was actually like to work with. Reviews ### Read the Google trail Public reviews show patterns over time — responsiveness, honesty, how problems were handled. Look for volume and consistency, not a single glowing line, and read the wording, not just the star count. Sold signs ### Notice who's active nearby The agents whose names recur on sold signs and active listings in your specific pocket already know your micro-market. Local activity is a practical signal that's easy to observe on any walk. Open houses ### Use them as auditions An open house is a low-pressure way to watch an agent work before you commit to anything. How they greet, listen and answer tells you plenty about how they would represent you. Search ### Look, then verify Online searches and brokerage sites surface names, but treat them as a starting list. Verify licensing and read further before you reach out — a name is a lead, not a decision. Next step ### Finding isn't choosing Once you have two or three candidates, the real work is evaluating them well. See how to choose a Coquitlam REALTOR® below — the framework that actually separates them. The goal of this stage is simply a solid shortlist — a few agents worth a proper conversation — not a final pick made on the spot. Craig is happy to be one of the names you compare. The best way to judge any agent, including him, is a short no-pressure call where you ask the questions that matter to your move. Verified · Buyer / Seller · Choose a REALTOR ## How to choose a Coquitlam REALTOR® — the framework. 1. Specialization matters Coquitlam has 15+ Burke Mountain developments, 5+ Westwood Plateau communities, distinct school catchments, and unique neighbourhood character per zone. A REALTOR® who works your specific neighbourhood weekly knows the active listings, recent solds, and which streets trade differently. 2. Lived knowledge beats a sales pitch Look for a REALTOR® who has actually lived in Coquitlam — preferably for years or decades. Lived knowledge of school catchments, traffic patterns, and neighbourhood character cannot be faked. 3. Track record verification Ask: how many transactions completed in Coquitlam in the past 12 months? In your specific neighbourhood? Verify against published Greater Vancouver REALTORS® awards and recognition. 4. Communication style fit Real estate transactions span 30-90+ days. You will spend more time with this person than most service providers. Confirm the communication cadence and channel match yours. 5. References from buyers like you Ask for references from clients with similar situations: first-time buyer / move-up family / downsizer / investor. Each profile has different priorities. 6. Negotiation philosophy Ask: 'Tell me about a recent negotiation where you had to manage the buyer's expectations or push back on the other side.' The answer reveals their actual approach. 7. Network depth A strong Coquitlam REALTOR® has working relationships with local mortgage brokers, lawyers, inspectors, contractors. The right introductions save you time and money. 8. Avoid these red flags Pressuring you to write before you're ready · Refusing to provide written CMAs · Vague answers about commission structure · No verified online reviews · Cannot name specific Coquitlam streets or developments without checking notes ## How to choose the right Coquitlam REALTOR® The agent you pick shapes your whole experience and your result. Six things that separate a good fit from a poor one. Look for ### Genuine local expertise An agent who truly knows Coquitlam — its pockets, catchments and micro-markets — brings insight a generalist cannot. Local knowledge shows up in pricing, negotiation and the little things that matter. ### A real track record Ask about recent, relevant experience and speak to past clients. Results and references tell you far more than a polished pitch or a big billboard. ### Communication that fits you You will work closely together, so their style and responsiveness matter. Decide how you want to be kept informed and confirm they actually work that way. ### A concrete marketing plan For sellers especially, ask exactly how a home will be presented and promoted. A specific plan beats vague promises of "maximum exposure" every time. ### Honesty over flattery The best agents tell you what you need to hear about price and condition, not just what you want to hear. Straight talk protects your outcome; flattery costs you. ### The right fit for you Beyond credentials, trust and rapport matter. You want someone whose judgment you believe in and who genuinely has your interests at heart, not just a transaction. Choosing an agent is really about judgment and trust as much as credentials. Interview more than one, ask direct questions, and notice who gives you straight, well-reasoned answers rather than easy reassurance. The right professional makes a complex process feel manageable and leaves you confident you are being well served at every step. A practical tip: pay attention to how an agent treats the first conversation. Do they listen to your goals and situation before pitching, or launch straight into a sales script? The one who seeks to understand what you actually need — before telling you what they do — is usually the one who will represent your interests best once the stakes are real. Frequently asked ## Quick reference Keep exploring ## Related guides. Best realtor Coquitlam ### Best Realtor in Coquitlam Independent reviews, sales record, neighbourhood specialty. Q&A ### Questions to ask a Coquitlam realtor The 8 questions that filter out the noise. ### Do I need a realtor to buy in Coquitlam? What representation actually costs a buyer. ### Commission in BC What it actually costs to hire a Coquitlam realtor. ## Want a direct answer for your situation? Book a 20-minute strategy call with Craig. No commitment, no pressure — just a clear read on your specific buying or selling question. --- Source: soldbycraig.ca · Market data: Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (June 2026 release). Cite as "Craig Johnston, REALTOR® (soldbycraig.ca)".