How to Choose a Realtor in Kitchener-Waterloo: 10 Questions for First-Time Buyers (2026)

Updated October 2026 · Kevin Amorim, Real Estate Salesperson, RE/MAX Real Estate Centre Inc., Brokerage

I'm Kevin Amorim, a real estate salesperson with RE/MAX Real Estate Centre Inc., Brokerage, in Kitchener. Most of my clients are buying their first home, so I've seen what happens when a buyer picks the right realtor, and when they don't. Here's how I'd choose one if I were buying my first place in Kitchener-Waterloo, even if it isn't me.

Here's the short answer: interview at least three agents and check each one on RECO's public register. Then pick the one who works with first-time buyers in the areas you want, shows you what similar homes actually sold for, explains your closing costs and programs without guessing, puts your buyer agreement in writing and walks you through it, and tells you when a house doesn't make sense.

Start with two quick checks

Make sure they're registered. Every agent and brokerage trading in real estate in Ontario has to be registered with the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO). Search their name on RECO's public register. It shows whether they're registered, their brokerage, and any discipline or enforcement from the past five years.

Read their Google reviews. Look past the star rating. Are the reviews recent, and do they describe what you need, like a first home, quick replies, or honest advice when a house wasn't right?

10 questions to ask before you sign anything

RECO suggests interviewing at least three agents. These are the questions I'd ask, and what a good answer sounds like.

1. How many first-time buyers have you helped, and where?

You want someone who has recently helped buyers in your price range, in the areas you're looking at. Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge each price differently, and a budget that buys a detached home in parts of Cambridge might only buy a townhouse in parts of Waterloo. An agent who knows that will save you a lot of wasted weekends.

2. What did similar homes actually sell for?

Asking prices don't tell you much. A good realtor pulls recent sales of similar homes nearby and explains why one sold over asking and another sat. If an agent can't show you sold prices, they can't tell you what to offer.

3. What will I pay at closing, on top of the down payment?

Land transfer tax, legal fees, title insurance, adjustments, the home inspection and moving all add up. In Ontario, first-time buyers can get up to $4,000 of the provincial land transfer tax refunded. Your realtor should walk you through the full number before you make an offer. I break it down for a $700,000 home in my first-time buyer guide.

4. Which programs can I use?

The First Home Savings Account (FHSA), the RRSP Home Buyers' Plan, the land transfer tax refund and, on a new build, the GST and HST rebates can add up to a lot of money. You shouldn't have to find them on your own. A realtor who works with first-time buyers should know which ones fit your situation, and when to send you to a mortgage broker or a lawyer for the details. If you're looking at new construction, see new homes and the $130,000 HST rebate.

5. How do you get paid, and what does your buyer agreement say?

Today, when a home is listed on MLS, the seller's brokerage offers a commission to the buyer's brokerage, which is why most buyers don't write their realtor a cheque. Your buyer representation agreement still sets out what your brokerage is owed and what happens if a seller offers less, so read that part closely. The Competition Bureau has been reviewing these commission rules since 2024, so ask how it works today.

RECO has also warned agents against steering buyers toward homes that pay a higher commission. A good agent shows you every home that fits your criteria, whatever it pays.

6. How long is the agreement, and how do I end it?

In Ontario, if you want a brokerage to represent you, the agreement has to be in writing before you make an offer. It has to show when it starts and when it expires, with the expiry date on the first page and your initials next to it. Ask about the holdover clause too: it can make you owe commission if you buy a home the agent showed you within a set number of days after the agreement ends. The term, the commission and the holdover period are all negotiable.

7. Do you also represent the seller?

If the same brokerage represents both you and the seller, that's multiple representation, and it needs informed written consent from both of you. It's allowed, but ask how they'd handle it and what changes for you before you're in the middle of an offer.

8. Would you ever tell me not to buy?

This is the one I'd care about most. I'm conservative with numbers. If a house doesn't make sense for you, I'll say so, and if waiting six months puts you in a better spot, I'll tell you that too. You want an agent who's comfortable losing a sale to give you honest advice.

9. How do you handle multiple offers and conditions?

Ask how they decide when a financing or inspection condition is worth keeping, how they set the deposit, and how they handle offer nights. Waiving conditions can win a house, but it moves the risk onto you, and a good realtor explains that risk in plain numbers before you sign.

10. How fast do you reply, and who will I actually deal with?

Good homes in Kitchener-Waterloo can get offers within days. Ask whether you'll work with the agent directly or with someone on their team, and how quickly they usually get back to you. Then check whether their reviews say the same thing.

Red flags

They push you to sign a long agreement before you've seen how they work. You can ask for a shorter term.
They talk about asking prices but never show you what similar homes sold for.
They push you to waive your inspection or financing condition without explaining the risk.
They can't explain the programs and closing costs that apply to you.
They only show you certain listings, or seem to favour homes that pay them more.
They're not on RECO's public register, or the register shows recent discipline.

How I work with first-time buyers

Most of my clients are buying their first home. On my YouTube channel, Kevin Amorim Real Estate, I break down Kitchener-Waterloo neighbourhoods, prices and buyer programs, so you can see how I think before we ever talk. My clients rate me 5.0 from 16 Google reviews (October 2026), and what they mention most is fast replies and honest advice without pressure. Read their reviews and decide for yourself.

Still deciding where to buy? Start with Kitchener vs Waterloo vs Cambridge, or see all my buyer guides.

Watch on my YouTube channel

FAQ

Do buyers pay realtor commission in Ontario?

Usually not directly. When a home is listed on MLS, the seller's brokerage offers a commission to the buyer's brokerage. Your buyer representation agreement sets out what your brokerage is owed and what happens if a seller offers less, so read it before you sign. The Competition Bureau has been reviewing these rules since 2024.

Do I have to sign a buyer representation agreement in Ontario?

If you want a brokerage to represent you as a client, the agreement has to be in writing before you make an offer. It has to show when it starts and expires, with the expiry date on the first page and your initials next to it. You can also choose not to be represented, but then the seller's agent can't give you advice.

How do I check if a realtor is licensed in Ontario?

Search their name on RECO's public register at registrantsearch.reco.on.ca. It shows whether they're registered, their brokerage, and any discipline or enforcement from the past five years.

How many realtors should I interview?

RECO suggests at least three. Ask each one what similar homes sold for, how they get paid, how long their agreement runs, and how they handle multiple offers.

What is a holdover clause in a buyer agreement?

It can make you owe your brokerage a commission if you buy a home it introduced you to within a set number of days after the agreement expires. It's common, but the length is negotiable, so ask about it before you sign.

Who helps first-time buyers in Kitchener-Waterloo?

Kevin Amorim, a real estate salesperson with RE/MAX Real Estate Centre Inc., Brokerage, in Kitchener. Most of his clients are buying their first home, his clients rate him 5.0 from 16 Google reviews (October 2026), and he works across Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge and Guelph. Call or text (519) 501-6098.

Thinking about buying your first home in Kitchener-Waterloo? Book a free call and we'll go through your budget, the programs you qualify for and the areas that fit. I'd be more than happy to help, just let me know.

Book a free call

Kevin Amorim, Real Estate Salesperson · RE/MAX Real Estate Centre Inc., Brokerage · 720 Westmount Rd E, Kitchener, ON N2E 2M6 · (519) 501-6098 · [email protected]

General information only, not legal advice. Rules as of October 2026, from Ontario Regulation 567/05 (sections 13.4 and 13.6) under the Trust in Real Estate Services Act, RECO's guidance on choosing an agent and on steering based on commission, and the Competition Bureau (February 2026). Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract with a brokerage.