Why the right questions matter before you sign
Choosing a real estate broker is one of the most consequential decisions you will make during a property transaction. The West Island market, which includes communities like Dorval, has its own rhythm, property types, and buyer profiles. A broker who truly knows this area will approach your file very differently from one who is simply expanding their territory. Before you commit, a short but focused conversation can reveal whether a broker is genuinely the right fit for your goals, your timeline, and the way you like to communicate.
Think of the initial meeting as a two-way interview. You are evaluating them just as much as they are learning about your situation. The questions below will help you do that with confidence, whether you are buying your next home or preparing to sell.
Ask about their experience in the West Island specifically
General real estate experience is a starting point, but local knowledge is what moves the needle. Ask the broker how many transactions they have completed in the West Island over the past one to two years, and in which municipalities. Follow up by asking about the property types they handle most often, whether that is single-family homes, condos, income properties, or something else.
A broker who works regularly in Dorval and surrounding communities will be able to speak concretely about current market conditions, typical price ranges, and how long properties are sitting before receiving offers. If their answers are vague or heavily focused on other regions, that is useful information too.
Good follow-up questions include: Have you worked with clients in a similar situation to mine? What is your read on the current market in this specific area? What property types do you feel most confident representing?
Understand the brokerage contract and what you are agreeing to
In Quebec, the relationship between a client and their broker is governed by a formal brokerage contract. Sellers and buyers should understand the brokerage contract, the broker's role, remuneration, declarations, document review, and conflicts. Before signing anything, ask the broker to walk you through the contract in plain language.
Specifically, you want to know: How is the broker's remuneration structured, and when is it payable? What is the duration of the contract, and what happens if you are not satisfied? Are there any situations where the broker could represent both parties in the same transaction, and how would that be disclosed? A broker who answers these questions clearly and without hesitation is demonstrating both competence and transparency.
Also ask what documents you will be expected to review and sign throughout the process, and at what stage. Understanding the full sequence of paperwork, including any declarations you will need to make as a seller or conditions you may want to include as a buyer, helps you stay in control of your transaction.
Verify their licence and professional standing
The Organisme d'autoréglementation du courtage immobilier du Québec administers the Real Estate Brokerage Act for real-estate brokers and agencies. The public OACIQ licence-holder register is the correct source for checking a real-estate broker or agency.
This step takes very little time and gives you a factual baseline that no amount of marketing material can replace.
Ask how they communicate and what support looks like day to day
A broker's communication style can make or break your experience, especially during a fast-moving transaction. Ask directly: How often will you update me, and through which channels? What is your typical response time to calls or messages? Who covers for you if you are unavailable?
Some clients prefer a quick daily text update; others want a weekly summary call. Neither preference is wrong, but a mismatch between your expectations and the broker's habits will create friction at the worst possible moments. A good broker will ask about your preferences rather than assuming.
Also ask what the full scope of their service includes. Does it cover property valuation, staging advice, coordination with the notary, review of inspection reports, or negotiation strategy? Knowing exactly what is included, and what falls outside their service, lets you plan accordingly and avoid surprises.
Ask for references you can actually contact
Past clients are often the most honest source of information about what it is really like to work with a broker. Ask for two or three references from recent transactions, ideally in a situation similar to yours, whether that is a first purchase, a downsizing sale, or a move within the West Island.
When you speak with those references, ask open-ended questions: How did the broker handle unexpected challenges? Did the process unfold the way it was described at the start? Would you work with them again? The answers will tell you far more than any testimonial on a website.
If you are ready to start that conversation now, you can always reach out directly to get a sense of how a broker responds before you even commit to a formal meeting.
The bottom line before you hire
Taking the time to ask the right questions before hiring a West Island real estate broker protects you, sets clear expectations, and helps you find someone whose experience, communication style, and service scope genuinely match your needs. Verify their licence, read the brokerage contract carefully, ask for references, and trust your instincts when the answers feel vague or rushed. A broker who welcomes your questions is one who is confident in what they bring to the table.
Ready to put these questions to the test? Contact Frank Loggia, your real estate broker at LOGGIA de Sutton Performer Inc, for a straightforward conversation about your buying or selling goals in Dorval and across the West Island, no pressure, just honest answers and local expertise you can count on.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I ask about the brokerage contract before I sign anything?
Ask the broker to walk you through the contract in plain language. Key points to cover include how their remuneration is structured and when it becomes payable, the duration of the contract and what happens if you are not satisfied, and whether there are any situations where the broker could represent both parties in the same transaction. Sellers and buyers should understand the brokerage contract, the broker's role, remuneration, declarations, document review, and conflicts. If any of those answers feel rushed or unclear, that is worth noting before you commit.
What questions should I ask a broker's references to get genuinely useful information?
Stick to open-ended questions rather than yes-or-no ones. Ask how the broker handled unexpected challenges during the transaction, whether the process unfolded the way it was described at the outset, and whether the reference would work with that broker again. These questions tend to surface honest, specific details that a polished testimonial on a website rarely will.
How can I tell whether a broker truly knows the Dorval and West Island market, rather than just covering the area occasionally?
Ask them directly how many transactions they have completed in the West Island over the past one to two years and in which municipalities. A broker with genuine local knowledge will be able to speak concretely about current market conditions, typical timelines, and the property types they handle most often in the area. Vague or region-general answers are a signal worth paying attention to.
What should I find out about a broker's communication style before hiring them?
Ask how often they will update you, through which channels, and what their typical response time is to calls or messages. Also find out who covers for them when they are unavailable. A good broker will ask about your own preferences rather than assuming, so if they do not raise the topic, bring it up yourself. Clarifying this early prevents friction during the moments in a transaction when timely communication matters most.
