The Short Answer
Every home sale has two sides. One side wants the highest price and the best terms for themselves. The other side is you.
The people you meet at a sales centre or an open house are paid to serve the first side. They can be friendly and helpful. But their duty is to their client, and their client is not you.
Your own agent changes that. They work only for you. They tell you when a price looks high, when a clause is risky, and when to walk away.
Pre-Construction: The Sales Team Works for the Developer
Pre-construction means buying a condo before it is built. You usually buy from a sales centre or a model suite. The staff there are hired by the developer. Some are on the developer's payroll. Others work for a brokerage the developer pays to sell the project.
Either way, their goal is simple. They want to sell units at the developer's price, on the developer's terms. That is their job, and it is a fair one. It just is not the same as looking out for you.
What the Developer's Agreement Looks Like
A pre-construction purchase agreement is long. The developer's lawyers write it, and it protects the developer first. It can let the developer change some finishes, push back the move-in date, or add costs at closing.
You can't ask the sales team which clauses work against you. That is not their role. Your own agent can, and they work with your lawyer to push for changes before you are locked in.
What Your Own Agent Does in Pre-Construction
- Checks the price against real sales. They compare the price per square foot to resale condos nearby. Our condo price index and price per square foot map help with that.
- Reads the deposit schedule. They look at how much you pay, and when, before the building is done.
- Flags closing costs. Development charges, utility hookups and other fees can be added at the end. Many can be capped if you ask early. See our guide to closing costs in Ontario.
- Explains occupancy. Occupancy is the stretch when you live in the unit but the building is not yet registered. You pay a monthly occupancy fee during that time, not a mortgage.
- Checks the assignment clause. An assignment lets you sell your contract before closing. Some developers ban it or charge a fee for it. Know this before you sign.
- Times your cooling-off period. In Ontario, you have 10 days to cancel a new condo purchase. The clock starts once you have the signed agreement and the disclosure statement. Your agent makes sure your lawyer reviews everything inside that window.
The Big Trap: Bring Your Agent on the First Visit
This is the one most buyers miss. Many developers ask that your agent come with you, or be registered, on your very first visit to the sales centre.
If you walk in alone first, some developers will not work with an agent you bring later. You may end up buying with no one on your side for that project.
So call your agent before you visit, not after. That is why we come with you to every visit, from the first one on.
Not sure if new or resale is right for you? Read our guide to new construction vs resale.
Resale: The Listing Agent Works for the Seller
A resale condo is one that someone already owns. The seller hires a listing agent to sell it. That agent's duty is to get the seller the best price and terms.
When you call the number on the sign, you are calling the seller's agent. In Ontario, that leaves you with two choices if you don't have your own agent.
Option 1: Buy as a Self-Represented Buyer
You can deal with the listing agent but have no agent of your own. Ontario's real estate rules call this being a "self-represented party."
The rules are clear about what that means. The listing agent can't give you advice or opinions. That includes advice on price, terms, or which clauses to put in your offer. They must give you a form from RECO, the Real Estate Council of Ontario, that explains this before they help you.
In plain terms, you are on your own. The seller has an expert. You don't.
Option 2: Let the Listing Brokerage Represent Both Sides
The listing brokerage can also take you on as a client. This is called multiple representation. It is allowed in Ontario, but only if both you and the seller agree in writing.
The catch is that one brokerage now owes duties to both sides. It can't push hard for a lower price for you while also pushing for a higher price for the seller. It also can't share what each side would really accept. So you get less advice on the parts that matter most.
What Your Own Agent Does in Resale
- Prices the unit for you. They pull recent sales in the same building and nearby. Our Oakville condo market report and Mississauga condo market report show how the market is moving.
- Builds a safe offer. They help you choose the right conditions, such as financing and a status certificate review. Read more in understanding offer conditions.
- Digs into the building. They help you get the status certificate, check the reserve fund, and judge the maintenance fees.
- Negotiates for you. They keep your top price to themselves. The other side never hears it from them.
See the Full Market Reports
Live, always-current sold and asking-price data for each city above -- updated every month.
What Does Your Own Agent Cost You?
In most resale and pre-construction deals, the seller or developer pays your agent's brokerage. The fee comes out of the sale. You don't write a separate cheque.
In Ontario, you sign a written buyer representation agreement with your brokerage. It sets out what your agent will do and how they get paid. Read it, ask questions, and make sure you are comfortable with it before you start.
The cost of going without an agent is harder to see. It shows up as paying too much, missing a risky clause, or losing a deposit you could have kept.
Questions to Ask Before Any Visit
Use this list before you walk into a sales centre, an open house, or a showing.
- Who does this person work for: me, the seller, or the developer?
- Does this developer need my agent at the first visit?
- Can I cancel, and how long do I have?
- Which costs could be added at closing?
- How does this price compare to recent sales nearby?
- Who will read the agreement or status certificate with me before I am bound?
We Come to Every Visit With You
We go with you to sales centre appointments, showings and open houses. From the first visit on, someone is in the room whose only job is to look out for you.
Buying your first place? Start with our first-time buyer's guide to Oakville condos. Or browse Mississauga condos for sale and Burlington condos for sale, then contact us to book your first visit together.
Frequently asked questions
Who does the sales rep at a pre-construction sales centre work for?
They work for the developer. Some are on the developer's staff and others work for a brokerage the developer hires. Their job is to sell units at the developer's price and terms, not to advise you.
Do I need my own agent to buy pre-construction?
You don't have to, but it is wise. Your own agent checks the price against real sales, reads the deposit schedule and closing costs, and helps your lawyer review the agreement within the 10-day cooling-off period.
What if I already visited the sales centre alone?
Contact us before you sign anything. Some developers will still recognize an agent you bring later, and some won't. It depends on the developer, so it is best to ask right away.
Can I just use the listing agent to buy a resale condo?
You can, in one of two ways. You can buy as a self-represented buyer, and then the listing agent can't give you advice on price or terms. Or the listing brokerage can represent both sides if you and the seller agree in writing, which limits the advice you get.
Does a buyer's agent cost me anything?
In most deals, the seller or developer pays your agent's brokerage out of the sale. You sign a written buyer representation agreement that explains how your agent is paid, so you know before you start.
Will you come with me to every visit?
Yes. We come to sales centre appointments, showings and open houses, starting with the first one. Contact us to book a visit.
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Aggregate estimates from TRREB MLS® data (PropTx feed). Deemed reliable but not guaranteed, and not an appraisal. Full terms.
Miko Nalepa
Realtor® at The Condo Bar Real Estate · RECO #4737024
With 15+ years in real estate and a GTA West focus since 2016, Miko Nalepa is a Realtor® with Right At Home Realty, Brokerage, specializing in condos, townhouses, and detached homes across Mississauga, Oakville, Burlington, and Milton. The focus stays deliberately narrow -- four cities, not a Toronto-wide practice -- because that's what it takes to know individual buildings and blocks, not just neighbourhood names.
Miko Nalepa is also the creator of The Condo Bar, the data platform behind this site, tracking building-level sales history and live market reports across 450+ GTA West condo buildings so every recommendation starts with what comparable units actually closed for, not asking price.