Hiring a realtor is one of the most important financial decisions you’ll ever make. In a competitive, fast-moving market like BC — especially in places like Langley, Surrey, and South Surrey — you need more than just someone with a license. You need a trusted partner who will guide, protect, and advocate for you at every step.

Whether you’re preparing to sell or buy, here are the top 11 essential questions to ask when interviewing agents, plus exactly how Collab Realty Group sets ourselves apart.

1. How long have you been working in real estate here?

Experience matters — but local experience matters even more. Ask how many homes they’ve helped clients buy or sell specifically in your area. A Surrey expert may not be as dialed in to Willoughby or White Rock nuances.

2. What’s your strategy in this current market?

Markets shift quickly. A great agent will have a clear, tailored strategy for your goals — whether that’s creating multiple offers on your listing, or finding off-market opportunities for buyers. Be wary of generic answers.

3. Can you show me recent client success stories or reviews?

Top agents are proud to share Google reviews, video testimonials, or case studies that show how they’ve helped people like you overcome challenges and succeed.

4. What do your services include?

For sellers, do they cover:
✅ Professional photography, floorplans, drone & 3D tours
✅ Targeted digital ads, social media, print marketing
✅ Open houses & private tours

For buyers, will they proactively send you listings, connect you with trusted lenders, and negotiate strongly on your behalf?

5. How do your fees work?

Most commissions in BC are 7% on the first $100,000 + 3% on the balance, split with the buyer’s agent. Ask them exactly how it breaks down, what it pays for, and what happens if the deal falls through.

6. How will you keep me updated throughout the process?

Communication is everything. Will they check in weekly by call or text? Provide showing feedback? You want proactive updates — not just someone who says, “Call me if you have questions.”

7. What happens if I’m not happy with your services?

Ask about their cancellation policy. A strong agent should work to earn your trust every day — not trap you in a contract.

8. How do you handle buyer leads and conflicts of interest?

This is one of the most overlooked — and most critical — questions.

Dual agency (one agent representing both buyer & seller) is heavily restricted in BC because it creates obvious conflicts. But what about when someone clicks on Realtor.ca or our ads asking about your property?

Ask your agent:

• Will you try to redirect that buyer to other homes so you can earn both sides of the deal?

• How do you ensure my best interests always come first?

At Collab Realty Group, we take it a step further:
✅ If a buyer lead comes in on your home — from Realtor.ca, our website, or our marketing — we assign them to a separate agent in our office, not on your listing team.
✅ This ensures you always have dedicated representation, with no pressure to “double end.”
We even put this promise directly into our listing agreement so you’re fully protected.

9. How do you handle negotiations?

This is where thousands (or tens of thousands) can be gained or lost. Do they aggressively push, or take a more strategic, collaborative approach? Make sure it matches your comfort level and goals.

10. What do you think my home is worth (or what can I expect in my price range)?

If selling, they should prepare a comparative market analysis (CMA) that’s thorough and backed by local data — not just guesswork. If buying, they should set realistic expectations on what your budget gets you today.

11. Why should I hire you over another agent?

Listen for more than clichés. Look for passion, proven systems, local expertise, and a commitment to putting your goals ahead of their own commission. At Collab Realty Group, we like to say:

We care deeply about your “why” — and we’re fiercely committed to helping you achieve it.

💡 Bottom line

The right realtor will earn your trust by answering these questions openly, not just with rehearsed sales lines.

If you want a transparent, no-pressure conversation about your next move — whether buying, selling, upsizing, downsizing, or investing — we’d love to help.

📲 Contact Collab Realty Group today for a friendly consultation.
We’ll show you exactly how our local knowledge, tailored strategies, and ethical policies set us apart.

Thinking about selling your home in BC? Whether you’re moving up, downsizing, or cashing in on your equity, it’s important to understand the true costs of selling a property — so there are no surprises when you close.

From realtor commissions to legal fees, mortgage penalties, and getting your home ready, here’s what to budget for.

💼 Realtor Commission Fees (7 & 3)

In the Fraser Valley and most of BC, real estate commissions are commonly structured as:

• 7% on the first $100,000, plus

• 3% on the balance of the sale price

So, on an $800,000 home, your commission would roughly be:

🔍 Where Does This Money Go?

• A portion pays the buyer’s agent, which incentivizes them to bring qualified buyers to your property.

• The remaining portion goes to your listing agent, covering not just their expertise, but also:

✅ Professional marketing costs:

• Photography, video tours, drone, floorplans

• Targeted online ads (Facebook, Instagram, Google)

• Print brochures, signage, open houses

✅ Negotiation & transaction management:

• Pricing strategy, reviewing offers, handling multiple offers

• Coordinating showings, vetting buyers, managing paperwork to ensure a smooth close

This investment means your home is seen by more buyers and attracts stronger offers — ultimately netting you more.

📝 Legal Fees & Conveyancing

When you sell, you’ll need a lawyer or notary to:

• Prepare documents to transfer the title

• Pay out your existing mortgage

• Ensure funds are properly distributed

This typically costs $800 – $1,500, depending on the complexity of your sale.

🏦 Mortgage Discharge or Penalties

If you’re breaking a fixed mortgage before the term ends, your lender may charge a prepayment penalty. This can be:

• A few thousand dollars, or

• Tens of thousands — depending on how much time remains, your rate type (fixed vs variable), and your lender’s formula (many use an Interest Rate Differential for fixed).

Before you list, it’s wise to call your lender and request a payout statement so you know exactly what to expect.

🧽 Preparing Your Home for Sale

Most sellers spend a little upfront to help their home sell faster and for more. Typical costs include:

These improvements can dramatically impact first impressions and final sale price. 

📑 Other Costs

✅ Strata Documents:
If you’re selling a condo or townhouse, your strata corporation will charge for documents (bylaws, minutes, Form B), usually $100 – $400.

✅ Property Taxes & Utilities:
You pay up to the possession date. Any overpayments or underpayments get adjusted by your lawyer on closing.

✅ GST:
Most resale homes are GST exempt. GST generally only applies on new homes purchased from a developer.

💡 Bottom Line: Budget 6-8% of Your Sale Price

For most homeowners in BC, the total costs to sell (including commission, legal, and typical prep) look like this:

So on an $800,000 home, you might see total costs of $50,000 – $65,000, depending on your mortgage and how much you invest in prep.

⭐ Want to See Your Exact Net?

At Collab Realty Group, we make sure you’re 100% clear on what your net proceeds will look like before you even list — so you can confidently plan your next move.

📲 Get a free home value & detailed net sheet today.

Market Snapshot

• Sales Activity
  In June, 1,195 homes were sold in the Fraser Valley MLS®—a slight 1% increase from May, but still about 9% lower than June 2024 and 33% below the 10‑year average .

• Buyer’s Market in Full Swing
  Inventory continues to swell, with nearly 11,000 active listings—2% more than May and 30% higher than last year. Meanwhile, new listings dropped by 10% month-over-month to 3,618 . With a sales-to-active-listings ratio of 11%, the market remains firmly in buyer territory (a balanced market sits between 12–20%) .

Price Trends

• Overall Benchmark Price
  Prices have eased slightly, with the composite benchmark in the Fraser Valley dipping 1.2% from May to land at $951,500 .

• By Property Type

  • Detached homes: $1,458,600 (–1.6% from May; –4.6% year-over-year)

  • Townhomes: $824,400 (–1.0% from May; –3.1% from June 2024)

  • Condo/apts: $526,500 (–1.2% from May; –4.5% from previous June)

Days to Sell (Average)

• Detached homes: 35 days

• Townhomes: 30 days

• Condos: 39 days

Regional Highlights

• Surrey experienced a 7% drop in total sales year-over-year; benchmark prices for detached homes fell to $1.573 million and condos to $513,800 .

• White Rock / South Surrey recorded a 33% jump in detached home sales, though benchmark prices eased by over 6% to $1.846 million .

What It All Means for Buyers & Sellers

For Buyers

This is a strong buyer’s market. With ample choices, slower sales, and declining prices, conditions are favourable—especially for first-time buyers who can tolerate economic uncertainties .

For Sellers

Reduced demand means listings are taking longer to move. To stand out, sellers may need to price competitively and differentiate their homes through thoughtful staging and marketing.

Looking Ahead

Economic uncertainty—driven by trade, tariffs, and broader market forces—continues to weigh on buyer confidence . The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board suggests this could be an opportune moment for policymakers to reassess current housing strategies to better align with today’s realities .

In Summary

• Sales: Slight monthly increase, but down annually and compared to the decade average

• Inventory: Rising supply with decreasing new listings makes for a competitive buyer landscape

• Pricing: Modest month-over-month dips across all housing types

• Pace of Market: Homes are selling more slowly than in the past

If you're considering entering the market, now may be a strategic time—whether buying or selling—with the caveat of heightened economic caution.