What a real estate agent does
In Ontario, the professional most people call a real estate agent is registered with the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO) as a salesperson or broker under the Trust in Real Estate Services Act, 2002 (TRESA). A salesperson can trade in real estate only while registered with and employed by a brokerage, so when you recruit an agent you add someone who acts under your brokerage's name, follows your policies and falls under your broker of record's oversight.
That makes the hire about more than sales ability. A strong agent prospects consistently, prices listings realistically, writes clean agreements and keeps the paperwork your compliance team needs. A weak one can expose the brokerage to complaints and lost referrals. Finch learns how your brokerage works, whether that is a team model, a traditional commission split or a salaried role on a builder's sales team, and screens candidates against that model before you meet anyone.
Typical responsibilities
- Prospect for buyers and sellers through referrals, open houses and online leads
- Prepare comparative market analyses and advise sellers on list price and timing
- Show properties and guide buyers through offers, conditions and closing
- Draft and present agreements of purchase and sale on brokerage-approved forms
- Give consumers the RECO information guide and explain client and self-represented status before services begin
- Submit deal documents and deposits to the brokerage on time for review
Qualifications and credentials
- Active RECO registration as a salesperson or broker, or completed pre-registration education with registration under way
- Progress on the post-registration education new salespersons must finish before their first renewal
- Membership in a local board such as the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board for MLS access, where your brokerage requires it
- A record of closed transactions in your price range, property type or community
- For roles outside Ontario, registration with that province's regulator, such as RECA in Alberta or BCFSA in British Columbia
Who hires a real estate agent
- Independent and franchise residential brokerages
- Real estate teams operating within larger brokerages
- Brokerages that represent builders in new home and pre-construction sales
- Luxury and niche brokerages focused on particular neighbourhoods or buyer groups
Where we recruit real estate agent candidates
We fill real estate agent roles for employers across Toronto and the GTA, including North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Burlington, Oshawa and Pickering, and for employers across Canada. GTA employers can meet us at our North York office by appointment.
What Finch checks before you meet a candidate
- Current RECO registration status and any discipline history on the public register
- Closed transactions over recent years, discussed deal by deal rather than as gross volume
- Where their business comes from and whether those clients are likely to follow them
- Understanding of representation, multiple representation and disclosure rules under TRESA
- Comfort with your pay structure and onboarding expectations
Interview questions to ask
- Walk me through your last three closed deals. Where did each client come from?
- How do you explain to a buyer the difference between being your client and being a self-represented party?
- What would you need from our brokerage in your first six months to grow your business?