Inside the industry
Before you hire an agent: who do they work for?
Before you sign anything with an agent, including me, you should know whose side they’re on, what they have to tell you and how you’ll hear from them. Here are the questions I’d ask.
For: Tenants hiring an agent for the first time · Owners selling or leasing · Anyone who wants plain answers
New for 2027: Questions before hiring a commercial agent in 2027.
General information, not legal advice. Rules can change; the BC regulator’s consumer pages have the current versions.
Who the agent works for
In BC, an agent who represents you owes you real duties: to act in your best interests, follow your lawful instructions, keep your confidential information private, and tell you about anything that affects your decision. An agent who doesn’t represent you can still be helpful and honest, but they aren’t on your side and can’t advise you.
In a commercial deal you’ll often deal with both kinds. The listing agent works for the landlord or seller. If you want someone working for you, you need your own agent.
What they have to tell you, and when
- Representation, early. Agents have to explain in writing whether they represent you, usually with a standard form, before you share anything sensitive like your budget or deadline.
- One agent, one side. In BC, one agent generally can’t act for both the buyer and the seller (or tenant and landlord) in the same deal, with narrow exceptions. Ask what happens if they or their brokerage also act for the other side.
- How they get paid. Who pays the fee, roughly how it’s set, and whether they get anything else from the deal. See how commissions work.
- Conflicts. Any personal interest, such as an agent buying for themselves or a relative, has to be disclosed.
How they should report to you
Agree on this before you start. Good questions: How often will I hear from you, and how (call, email, a short written update)? Will I see every offer or proposal, in writing? Who else on your team will handle my file? What will you put in writing before I sign anything?
Questions to ask before you sign
- Do you represent me, and is that in writing?
- Do you or your brokerage act for anyone on the other side of this?
- How are you paid, by whom, and is anything else paid to you from this deal?
- What exactly are you agreeing to do for me, for how long, and how do I end it?
- How often will you report, and will I see every offer?
- Have you done this kind of property and deal before? Who else would you bring in (lawyer, accountant, inspector)?
What I’d tell a friend
Ask the agent to put who they work for and how they’re paid in writing before you tell them your budget. A good agent will answer that in a minute and won’t mind being asked.
Who they represent—ask before you talk substance
Before you share financials or a walk-through strategy, ask who the agent represents and how that will be disclosed. Dual or unclear roles create conflicts that are easy to miss mid-deal.
Ask how they report offers, whether they will work with your lawyer early, and how fees are handled at a high level—without chasing rate comparisons. Representation should be plain in writing.
If the answers are fuzzy, keep looking. I am happy to answer those questions about my own practice in plain language.
How I’ll answer
When we first talk I’ll tell you who I represent and how I’m paid, and give you the disclosure in writing. If I’m not the right agent for the deal, I’ll say so.
Next step
Ask me anything before you hire me.
Ask me on a 15-minute call. You’ll get a straight answer before we do anything else.
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