The right realtor in Surrey is the one who holds a current licence, knows the neighbourhood and property type you care about, explains a clear plan for your sale or search, and puts every term of your agreement in writing. Online lists of the "best" or "top" agents rarely tell you any of that. The way to find out is to interview two or three people and ask the same questions of each. This guide gives you ten of them, what a good answer sounds like, and what should make you pause. If you would like to start with a realtor in Surrey who will answer every one of them, our team is happy to talk.
1. Is the realtor licensed, and with which brokerage?
Every real estate professional who trades in BC must be licensed by the BC Financial Services Authority (BCFSA). Before you sign anything, search the person's name on BCFSA's public licensee search. It shows the licence category, the brokerage the licensee is attached to, any conditions on the licence and recent discipline history.
The brokerage matters because your agreement is with the brokerage, not just the individual. Ask which office the realtor works from, who the managing broker is and whether the realtor works alone or as part of a team. On a team, ask who you will deal with day to day, who attends showings and who negotiates the offer.
2. What have you done in my part of Surrey?
Surrey is large. Prices, housing types and buyer expectations change between Cloverdale, Fleetwood, Newton, Guildford, City Centre and South Surrey, and again across the border into White Rock and Langley. A realtor who works mostly in one area may not know the school catchments, strata histories or zoning changes in another.
Ask for recent examples near you: homes they listed or helped buyers purchase, and what they learned from them. A good realtor will talk about specific streets and buildings, not just the city in general. If you are buying or selling near the water, a South Surrey and White Rock realtor with local deals is worth seeking out. Moving east? Look for someone who works regularly as a realtor in Langley.
3. Do you handle my type of property?
A first condo, a family house with a suite, a rancher for downsizing, a strata townhome, a retail unit and an industrial building are different jobs. Commercial deals involve leases, environmental reports, zoning and financing that residential deals rarely touch. Residential deals involve strata documents, inspections and buyer emotions that commercial deals rarely do.
Ask the realtor how many deals like yours they handled in the last year or two. If your plans cross over, for example a business owner who wants to buy a building and sell the family home, ask whether the team covers both or will refer you to someone who does.
4. How will you price my home, or judge a fair price for me?
For sellers, the listing price is the most important decision in the whole process. A realtor should show you recent sales of homes like yours, explain why each one is or is not comparable, and give you a price range with reasons. Be careful with anyone who quotes a much higher number than the others without evidence. A high number can win a listing and then lead to price cuts later.
For buyers, ask how the realtor will help you judge what a property is worth before you write an offer, especially in a multiple offer situation. You can get a starting point for your own home with a home valuation before you interview anyone, so you can test each realtor's reasoning.
5. What is your marketing plan?
Ask a listing realtor to walk you through the launch: photography, video, floor plans, the listing description, MLS, social media, open houses and how they reach buyers who are not yet searching. Ask who pays for each item and when the listing will go live.
For buyers, the equivalent question is how the realtor will find homes. Do they set up alerts the day a listing appears? Do they hear about homes before they reach MLS? How quickly can they book showings?
6. How and how often will you keep me updated?
Communication problems are one of the most common reasons clients regret their choice. Agree on it at the start. Ask how you will hear about showings and feedback, how quickly calls and messages are returned, and who covers when the realtor is away. Some people want a call after every showing. Others prefer a weekly summary. Either is fine if both of you agree on it.
Notice how the realtor communicates during the interview. Do they listen, answer your actual question and explain terms in plain language? That tells you a lot about the months ahead.
7. What does the agreement say, and how long does it last?
Sellers sign a listing agreement. Buyers may be asked to sign a buyer agency agreement. Read either one before you sign and ask about:
- The length of the term and whether you can end it early.
- What happens if a buyer who saw the home during the listing buys it after the agreement ends.
- Exactly which services are included.
- The commission, how it is calculated and when it is paid.
A short first term, with an option to extend if you are happy, is a reasonable request. A realtor who is confident in the plan should not need to lock you in for a long time.
8. How is the commission calculated?
There is no commission rate set by law in BC. The amount and structure are agreed between you and the brokerage and written into the agreement. Ask the realtor to show you, in dollars, what you would pay at your expected price, how much goes to a buyer's brokerage and whether GST is added (it is, because commission is a taxable service). Compare what each realtor includes for the fee, not only the fee itself.
9. Who do you represent in the deal?
Since June 15, 2018, BC rules have prohibited dual agency in almost all cases, meaning one licensee generally cannot represent both the buyer and the seller in the same deal. There is a narrow exemption for remote locations where separate representation is impractical, which does not apply to Surrey. Your realtor must explain in writing who they represent before giving you services. If a realtor's team also represents the other side, ask how that will be handled and how your interests will be protected.
10. Can I see reviews and speak with past clients?
Read reviews on independent sites, such as Google, not only the testimonials on a realtor's own website. Look for patterns over time and for reviews that describe specific situations similar to yours. Ask whether you can speak with one or two recent clients. Check social media and any published client results too. Specific facts, such as an address, a property type and what was achieved, tell you more than general praise.
What should make you pause?
- A promise of a sale price far above what other realtors suggest, with no evidence.
- Pressure to sign a long agreement on the spot.
- Vague answers about who you will actually work with.
- Reluctance to explain the commission in dollars.
- Only telling you what you want to hear. Honest feedback about your home's condition, the market and a realistic price is part of the job.
Should you hire a friend or family member?
It can work, but only if they pass the same questions as anyone else. A relative who mostly sells condos in another city may not be the right person to sell a house with a suite in Fleetwood or buy a warehouse in Bridgeview. It is also harder to give honest feedback, or to end the agreement, when the realtor is family. Interview them alongside at least one other realtor and decide on the answers.
How many realtors should you interview?
Two or three is usually enough. Ask each one the same questions, take notes and compare the answers side by side. Pay attention to who asked about your goals and timing before talking about themselves. The person who understands what you are trying to achieve is usually the one who will plan the right way to get there.
About The Oberoi Group
We are a RE/MAX team led by Jas Oberoi and Maria Hussain, working from our office at #306 - 1493 Foster St in White Rock and serving Surrey, South Surrey, Langley and the Fraser Valley. We handle both residential and commercial real estate. Our commercial team was named a Top 3 Commercial Team across Canada at RE/MAX in 2025, based on commission, and the team has more than $900M in career sales. We are happy to answer all ten of these questions before you decide. Learn more about working with us as your Surrey realtor, or book a short call.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check if a realtor is licensed in BC?
Search the person's name on the BC Financial Services Authority's public licensee search. It shows the licence category, the brokerage they work for, any licence conditions and recent discipline history.
How many realtors should I interview?
Two or three is usually enough. Ask each one the same questions about local experience, pricing, marketing, communication and the agreement, then compare their answers side by side.
Is realtor commission negotiable in BC?
Yes. No commission rate is set by law in BC. The amount and structure are agreed between you and the brokerage and written into your agreement. GST is added to the commission.
Can one realtor represent both the buyer and the seller in BC?
Generally no. Since June 15, 2018, BC rules have prohibited dual agency in almost all cases, with a narrow exemption for remote locations where separate representation is impractical.
How long should a listing agreement last?
There is no fixed term. A shorter first term with an option to extend is a reasonable request. Read what happens if a buyer who saw the home during the listing buys it after the agreement ends.
Should I use a realtor who does both homes and commercial property?
If your plans involve both, such as buying a building for your business and selling the family home, a team that handles both can plan the two together. Otherwise choose someone experienced in your property type.
Sources
Rates, thresholds and program rules in this article were checked against these official pages on October 14, 2026. Rules change, so confirm current details before you act.