How to Choose a Vancouver Realtor to Sell Your Home

By Pete Shpak, Vancouver Realtor | Oakwyn Realty | Lee + Pete Real Estate Team

Choosing a Realtor starts with three things: evidence of experience with homes like yours, a pricing recommendation you can understand, and a clear plan for reaching buyers. Reviews matter, but so do the conversations behind them. Ask how the agent handles preparation, feedback and negotiations when a sale takes longer than expected.

A good listing presentation should leave you with more clarity about your property and your options. Here are the questions I would ask before deciding who will represent you.

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1. What experience do you have with homes like mine?

Vancouver is not one uniform market. A condo in Yaletown, a townhouse in Mount Pleasant and a detached house in Point Grey attract different buyers and need different preparation.

Ask for recent examples relevant to your neighbourhood, property type and price range. Discuss what made each sale straightforward or difficult. The most useful answer explains the decisions involved, rather than simply showing a collection of sold signs.

For a condo, that conversation should include the building and the information buyers are likely to request. For a detached home, it might include the lot, condition and how the property compares with competing homes. The point is to find someone who understands what buyers will question before they question it.

2. How did you arrive at the recommended asking price?

Ask the agent to walk you through comparable sales and the homes currently competing for buyers. Which properties are truly comparable? What adjustments are being made for location, condition, outdoor space, parking or layout?

An asking price is a strategy, not a promise of your eventual sale price. You should understand the evidence, the proposed positioning and what would cause the recommendation to change.

If one valuation is much higher than the others, ask for the reasoning. A higher suggested price should come with stronger evidence, rather than simply a more appealing number.

3. What should I do before listing, and what can I skip?

Preparation should have a purpose. Ask which changes will improve how buyers see your home, what they are likely to cost and whether they fit your timeline.

Cleaning, decluttering, small repairs and thoughtful presentation are worth discussing before committing to major work. Staging may make sense for some homes; others need a lighter approach. Your agent should help you decide where to put your effort and money, including when an improvement is unlikely to be worthwhile.

4. What exactly is included in the marketing plan?

Ask for specific deliverables: photography, floor plans, video where appropriate, listing copy, online distribution, showing arrangements and follow-up with interested buyers. Confirm what is included in the agreed fee and what would cost extra.

Then ask how those activities fit your home. A marketing plan should explain the likely buyer, what that buyer needs to see and how the campaign will make it easy to book a showing or ask a question.

Activity alone is not the goal. A useful update connects exposure with buyer response: enquiries, showings, feedback and offers.

5. What do the reviews tell me about the agent?

Look beyond the star rating. Read reviews for patterns around communication, preparation, negotiation and support through difficult decisions. Pay particular attention to sellers with situations similar to yours.

Ask for references if you would like a fuller conversation. Reviews can help you build confidence, but they should be considered alongside relevant experience and the quality of the advice you receive yourself.

6. What happens if the home does not sell quickly?

This is one of the most useful questions to ask before listing. Agree on how often you will receive updates, what feedback will be collected and when you will reassess the strategy.

If showings are limited, review how the home is positioned against alternatives. If showings are happening but offers are not, discuss the objections buyers are raising. A thoughtful response could involve presentation, pricing or how the property's strengths are explained. Decide based on evidence rather than frustration.

7. Who will I work with, and how will we communicate?

Find out who handles your listing, showings, updates and negotiations. A team can be helpful, but you should know who is responsible for each part and who you can call when a decision matters.

Explain how you prefer to communicate and how much notice you need for showings. Set expectations before the listing goes live so the process fits your life as well as possible.

8. Can you explain the fee and agreement clearly?

Ask for a clear explanation of the proposed fee, included services, additional costs and the terms of the listing agreement. Make sure you understand the duration and how any early termination would be handled before signing.

Compare the whole proposal: relevant experience, preparation, marketing, communication and negotiation. The right choice is the agent whose advice and plan you trust for your circumstances.

Questions Vancouver Sellers Often Ask

Should I interview more than one Realtor?

Meeting more than one can help you compare advice and working styles. Ask each agent the same questions so you can compare the evidence, services and communication clearly.

Should I choose the agent with the highest suggested price?

Choose the pricing explanation you find best supported. Ask what comparable sales justify the number and what the plan is if buyers do not respond.

Are five-star reviews enough to choose a Realtor?

They are a useful starting point. Read the substance of the reviews and combine that with relevant experience, references and your own conversation with the agent.

What matters when selling in a slower market?

Careful positioning, clear presentation and regular review of buyer feedback become especially useful when buyers have more alternatives. Ask how your agent will help you make decisions if the initial plan needs adjusting.

How do I start planning a Vancouver home sale?

Start with your timeline, your next move and an assessment of your home's likely position in the market. You can discuss preparation and pricing before deciding on a listing date.

Let's Talk About Your Home

If you are thinking about selling in Vancouver, I'm happy to talk through your timeline, preparation and pricing options. We can start with a straightforward conversation about your home and what you want your next move to look like.

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Call Pete: 604-220-7490

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