Choosing the best realtor in Calgary is essential for a successful real estate transaction. Whether you’re buying a home or selling a home, the right agent can guide you through the process, secure the best deal, and help you avoid costly mistakes. Many buyers and sellers struggle to find the right fit, unsure of what to look for in an agent or how to evaluate their expertise.
This guide will help you understand what makes a great realtor by covering key factors like experience, negotiation skills, and market knowledge, qualities I prioritize to ensure my clients get the best results when buying or selling a home in Calgary
How Do I Find The Best Realtor In Calgary?
According to the National Association of Realtors, most people find their real estate agent through referrals from friends, family, or neighbours, while many others choose to work with the same agent they used in a previous home purchase or sale. A strong referral network and repeat clients are often a sign of a trusted and experienced realtor.
However, with so many people moving to Calgary from other provinces and internationally, finding a realtor through referrals or past experience isn’t always an option. In these cases, looking for a realtor with a strong web presence, active social media, and informative YouTube content can be a great way to evaluate their expertise, market knowledge, and approach to real estate. You can connect with me and see my latest market updates, home tours, and insights here:
What Should I look For When Choosing A Realtor?
When choosing a realtor in Calgary, it’s important to find someone with the right experience, market knowledge, and dedication to helping you achieve your real estate goals. Whether you’re buying a home or selling a home, a great agent should have strong communication skills, a strategic approach, and a commitment to putting your best interests first. The right realtor should also understand the legal process, paperwork, and market conditions to ensure a smooth transaction. Here’s what to look for when selecting an agent based on whether you’re buying or selling.
Selling a Home
A top realtor should have a proven ability to market and sell homes effectively while guiding sellers through every step of the process. Key qualities to look for include:
- Proven track record of home sales
- Strong marketing plan to attract the right buyers
- Pricing knowledge and strategy to maximize value
- Market knowledge and understanding of local trends
- Negotiation skills to secure the best possible offer
- Ability to keep everyone calm and focused during the transaction
- Communication and availability to answer questions and provide updates
- Transparency and honesty throughout the selling process
- Putting the seller’s needs first, rather than just focusing on the commission
- Marketing beyond the MLS such as social media to reach more buyers
- Understanding contracts and the legal process to avoid complications
- Post sale support to help with any lingering concerns after the deal closes
Thinking about selling your home? Get your free seller’s guide here!
Buying a Home
For buyers, the right realtor should be proactive, knowledgeable, and dedicated to finding the best home while ensuring a smooth and stress free experience. Look for an agent with:
- Experience and market knowledge to find the right home at the right price
- Strong negotiation skills to secure the best deal
- Availability and punctuality to show homes and answer questions promptly
- Excellent communication to keep you informed at every stage
- Understanding of the buying process and timelines to manage expectations
- A proactive approach to finding new listings and off market opportunities
- Willingness to work hard and go the extra mile for their clients
- A client first mindset, putting your needs ahead of the commission
- Knowledge of contracts and paperwork to protect your interests
- Understanding of the legal process to ensure a smooth transaction
- Industry contacts, such as mortgage brokers, lawyers, handymen, condo review companies, and home inspectors, to streamline the process
- Support after the sale to help with any issues that may pop up
Thinking about buying a home? Get your free buyer’s guide here!
How Do I Know If A Realtor Has A Good Track Record?
A realtor’s track record is one of the best indicators of their ability to deliver results. A strong history of successful sales, positive client experiences, and expertise in your target area can help you determine if an agent is the right fit. Here are some key ways to evaluate a realtor’s past performance.
- Google Reviews and Client Testimonials – Look for consistent positive feedback from past buyers and sellers, focusing on communication, negotiation skills, and overall experience. Check out my Google reviews here.
- Realtor.ca and Industry Ratings – Check if the agent has a strong presence and positive ratings on reputable real estate platforms. See my Realtor.ca profile here.
- Recent Sales History – Review their past transactions to see how active they are in the current market and whether they have successfully sold homes similar to yours.
- Neighbourhood Expertise – Choose an agent who has experience in your specific area, as they will have deeper knowledge of market trends, pricing strategies, and buyer demand. Watch my neighbourhood tours and updates on YouTube here.
- Referral and Repeat Clients – A realtor with a strong base of returning clients and word of mouth referrals is a good sign of trust and reliability.
- Marketing and Online Presence – Review their website, social media, and YouTube content to see how they market homes and provide value to clients. View all active listings here.
- Communication and Availability – A good track record often includes responsiveness and keeping clients informed throughout the buying or selling process. Reach out and ask me a question here.
By researching these factors, you can feel confident in choosing a realtor with a proven ability to help you successfully buy or sell a home in Calgary.
Is It Better To Work With A Solo Realtor Or A Team In Calgary?
Having worked both as a solo agent and as part of a large real estate team in the past, I’ve seen the advantages and challenges of both models. Here’s a fair breakdown of what each offers.
Advantages of Working with a Solo Realtor
- Personalized Service – A solo realtor handles everything directly, so clients get a more hands on and tailored experience.
- Consistency – The client deals with the same person throughout the process, rather than being passed around between different team members.
- Stronger Client Relationship – With a single point of contact, clients often develop a deeper level of trust and communication.
- No Middlemen – Buyers and sellers don’t have to worry about miscommunications between different team members.
Advantages of Working with a Large Team (my thoughts in blue)
- More Resources – Teams often have dedicated marketing professionals, transaction coordinators, and administrative support, which can make the process smoother. Not necessarily true as solo agents can also have the same support.
- Faster Response Times – If the primary agent is unavailable, another team member can step in and provide assistance. (even on a team, most realtors are busy with their own work so not true, also solo agents can get help as well.)
- Specialized Skills – Teams may have agents who specialize in different aspects, such as luxury properties, first-time buyers, or investment properties. (this might be true but the client should only hire someone with experience in their location and product regardless if it’s a team or solo realtor.
- Larger Network – Bigger teams may have more connections with other agents, contractors, and service providers. (not true, a solo realtor can have just as many professional contacts as a team does.)
- Stronger Marketing Efforts – A team usually has a bigger budget for advertising, social media marketing, and professional photography. (some large teams do have big budgets, but experienced realtors know the real marketing comes from the right price, professional photos, the home showing well, accurate information, and being able to show the home easily which solo realtors can ensure just the same.
- Streamlined Processes – A structured team often has systems in place that can speed up transactions and paperwork. (a solo realtor can have the same systems in place.)
- The Experience Of Working With The Team Lead – Working with a real estate team leader means you get the benefit of their experience, market expertise, and strong marketing resources. (this is partly true as there are a lot of very experienced team leaders, but more often than not you aren’t working directly with the team lead. Most teams pass on the real estate leads to their newer agents, so in practice you might be getting a very inexperienced realtor.
How Much Do Real Estate Agents Charge In Calgary?
While finding the best realtor in Calgary comes down to experience, market knowledge, and a strong track record, understanding how much real estate agents charge is also a key part of the decision. Some agents may offer lower commissions, while others justify higher fees with premium services, marketing, and negotiation expertise.
Commission is negotiable in Alberta, but a structure you’ll often see is 7% on the first $100,000 and 3% on the remaining balance. Here’s how that breaks down for a $500,000 home.
- 7% of $100,000 = $7,000
- 3% of $400,000 = $12,000
- Total commission = $19,000, with half going to the listing brokerage and half to the buyer’s brokerage
- GST on the commission adds $950
- Legal fees typically range from $1,500 to $2,000
What Questions Should I Ask A Realtor Before Hiring Them?
When working with a realtor, these are the most important questions you should ask to ensure you’re making the best decision.
- How long have you been a real estate agent? (Experience can indicate expertise, but some long time agents use outdated methods, while newer agents may be highly skilled and innovative)
- What areas and types of properties do you specialize in? (Important for specialized properties like acreages, luxury homes, and condos)
- How will you help me determine the right price for my home? (Do they rely on data and market trends or just make a guess?)
- What is your marketing strategy for selling homes? (Do they have a marketing plan of action or will they just list it and vanish? Check out my seller’s guide here)
- How will you help me find the right home within my budget? (Will the agent be involved in the search process? Check out my buyer’s guide here)
- Can you provide references from past clients? (Check out my reviews here)
- What are the total costs involved in buying or selling a home? (There are expenses for both buyers and sellers during the sale process. Here’s a link breaking down the costs involved in a real estate transaction)
- How do you negotiate on behalf of your clients? (important to talk over strategy with your clients before activating a listing and during the sale process)
- What are the current market trends in this area? (Understanding the market helps shape the right buying or selling strategy. Check out my market stats updates here)
- How will we communicate throughout the process? (the number one complaint against Realtors is that they don’t communicate enough)
Can I Work With More Than One Realtor At A Time?
Selling Your Home in Calgary
If you’re selling your home in Calgary, you typically sign a listing agreement with one realtor or brokerage. This means you’re committed to working exclusively with them for a set period. You can’t list your home with another brokerage until your current agreement expires or is terminated.
Buying A Home In Calgary
As a buyer, you’re not committed to one realtor unless you sign a buyer’s agreement. Without one, you can work with multiple realtors, but it often leads to confusion. Jumping between agents to view homes isn’t ideal, realtors invest time and effort into your search, so it’s best to be up front with your intentions. Most buyers find that working with one dedicated agent makes the process smoother and more effective.
Whether you’re buying or selling, I’m here to help. Click the link to reach out with any questions! Click here.
In Summary: Finding The Best Realtor In Calgary
Finding the best realtor in Calgary can make a huge difference when you are buying or selling a home. A great agent will guide you through the process, help you get the best deal, and make sure everything goes smoothly. Whether you are navigating Calgary real estate for the first time or looking for someone with a strong track record, the right realtor will put your needs first, communicate clearly, and offer expert advice every step of the way. If you are ready to make a move, feel free to reach out. I would love to help you with your real estate goals.
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