What to Look for in a Buyer Agent

February 10, 2026 | Buying a Home

When buying a house in Toronto, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of the experience. You have a completely new adventure ahead of you, including a fresh neighbourhood just waiting to be explored and a house you can’t wait to move into.

Throughout the home buying process, however, it’s also important to remember that there’s a seller on the opposite end of the transaction, whose goal is diametrically opposed to yours.

As the buyer, you’re hoping to find a stunning house for the lowest possible price. The seller wants to earn top dollar for the property. This perspective makes sense; the homeowner has a lot riding on this transition as it represents a significant portion of their financial nest egg. Plus, there’s no getting around the emotional aspect of saying goodbye to a cherished space full of memories.

Needless to say, the stakes are high for both sides. How can you be sure you get the best value as a buyer in a market that is always fluctuating? It all starts with finding an expert real estate agent to represent you. In this post, we’ll provide valuable tips on how to choose a Realtor® who will work with you to find a house you love.

Searching for your perfect home in Toronto’s West End? You may just find it while browsing our latest listings.

1. Listening Is an Underrated Skill

Start asking the people you know who have worked with the wrong agent, and you might notice a common theme. As soon as the ink is dry on the contract, the agent seems to disappear and leave the client to fend for themselves.

Or they just don’t listen to what you want or need at all.

For example, you want a fully remodelled, modern home that is completely move-in ready, but they keep showing you fixer-uppers. Or you request a specific area or neighbourhood, and they recommend a house on the other side of the city.

None of this will happen when you’ve found a competent expert who truly cares about your wishes. With the right representation, you’ll feel heard and understood when you speak.

Before beginning your search, it helps to have a background in Toronto real estate. The posts below will bring you up to date:

2. Someone Who Advocates for You

There’s no question that Toronto’s real estate market has its challenges. The demand for housing rises and falls, and buyers and sellers alike can have unrealistic expectations.

One common experience is where a seller received a home evaluation a year ago or even just a few months ago, but the market has since softened. Many people have trouble accepting that their house has lost value, even temporarily. If you want to get the best value, you can’t just trust the list price.

Another scenario is where an amazing house might not thrill you at first sight, but the price is more than fair and any necessary updates are minor. Without someone to encourage you in the right direction, you might miss out on a fantastic opportunity.

These are good reasons to work with a smart, ethical Realtor® who doesn’t just tell you what you want to hear. Accurate facts lead to a worthy investment, which is why we sometimes push back. Nothing matters more to us than making sure you end up with a suitable house at an outstanding value.

Where should you begin looking for your new forever home? You can’t go wrong with Toronto’s West End. All of our neighbourhoods are unique and full of character, convenience, and peaceful scenery! Get the full tour in Your Complete Guide to West End Toronto Real Estate.

3. Local Expertise for the Win

There is a big difference between a Realtor® who knows an area because they’ve Googled it and someone who lives and works in the communities they serve. From the moment you connect, you’ll see how much nuanced insight the local insider brings to the table. Even more importantly, you’ll get a sense of how much they care about you as a person and perhaps even as a new neighbour.

By providing you with accurate information, a good buyer’s agent will save you a lot of time and heartache on the search for your new home. Since we know these niche neighbourhoods inside and out, we can guide you to a house that best matches your needs.

If you’re a first-time buyer with a limited budget, we’ll direct you to housing structures or up-and-coming areas where you can get the best value.
If you want a detached home in the catchment area of highly-regarded schools, we can help you budget and plan.

A local agent does more than find the right home and negotiate. Because we’ve worked here so long, we have detailed knowledge about any developments that might affect the neighbourhood. This insight helps to ensure a positive buying experience from day one.

4. They Pay Attention to the Details

Buying a house isn’t like shopping for groceries. You’re making a decision that will have a lasting impact on your life for the next few years. The right purchase will lead to happiness and greater financial equity. The wrong choice, well, it doesn’t bear thinking about.

The moment you ask a question and your agent says, “don’t worry about it, just sign here,” you should run. A good Realtor® isn’t in it for themselves; they are here for you, ready to explain every single clause and term and what it means for your purchase.

Looking for more tips and insight on getting the right home at the best value? Start by reading the posts below:

5. They’re Not Psychic, Just Informed

A buying agent becomes successful in their area for a good reason. Due to their extensive training, experience, and continually upgrading their skills, they seem to have a second sight as to what properties are selling and for how much.

This constant pulse on the market allows them to understand the true values of the properties that you are seeing. Their estimation of value should be pretty close to the ultimate selling price. When you find an agent that has all of these characteristics, you’re ready to venture out and start the quest for your ideal home.

Is a move coming up for you within the next year or so? Our West Toronto Realtors® are happy to guide you through each step of the buying process. Contact us today at 416-788-1823 or email kim@kimkehoe.com to learn more.