Coquitlam Real Estate FAQ · May 2026

Real Estate Q&A · Tri-Cities

What questions should I ask a Coquitlam realtor before hiring?

Updated May 2026 · Craig Johnston, REALTOR® V99960 · The MACNABS · 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.

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Quick Answer

What questions should I ask a Coquitlam realtor before hiring?

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 in 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.

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's your average days-on-market and sale-to-list ratio? (4) What's your commission and is it negotiable? (5) What's your marketing plan for my specific home? (6) Can you share independent reviews? (7) What's the easiest way to reach you and your typical response time? Strong realtors welcome these. Weak ones deflect.

The 8 questions to ask — and what the answers tell you

  1. '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.
  2. '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.
  3. '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.
  4. 'What's your commission and is it negotiable?' In BC, commission is always negotiable. Strong agents are transparent and explain what's included.
  5. '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.'
  6. '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.
  7. '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.
  8. '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

Frequently asked

Quick reference

What questions should I ask a Coquitlam realtor before hiring?

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's your average days-on-market and sale-to-list ratio? (4) What's your commission and is it negotiable? (5) What's your marketing plan for my specific home? (6) Can you share independent reviews? (7) What's the easiest way to reach you and your typical response time? Strong realtors welcome these. Weak ones deflect.

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Next step

Want a direct answer for your situation?

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