FAQ — SHIFT Residential | REAL Broker Ontario Ltd., Brokerage

We lead with clarity over pressure. Whether you're buying, selling, or just starting to think about a move, we believe good decisions come from having the right information at the right time — not from urgency tactics. Every client works directly with our team, not a rotating cast of assistants.
No. You're welcome to reach out, ask questions, and get a feel for how we work before any formal representation agreement is in place. Ontario real estate law requires a signed agreement before we can formally represent you, but that conversation always comes first.
Yes. Some clients are doing both at once — selling one home while buying another — and we coordinate that timeline so you're not stuck managing two transactions on your own.

That's a completely normal place to start. We'll talk through your timeline, budget range, and priorities, and set you up to browse listings with real context — no pressure to act before you're ready.
It depends on the purchase price and your financing. In Canada, minimum down payments are set federally and increase in tiers as the price goes up. We'll walk you through what applies to your situation, and connect you with a mortgage professional to confirm numbers.
Pre-qualified is a rough estimate based on self-reported numbers. Pre-approval involves a lender verifying your finances and giving you a firmer number and rate hold — this is what you want in hand before making offers in a competitive market.
Typically, buyer representation is paid through the transaction structure rather than out of your pocket directly — we'll explain exactly how this works for your specific purchase before you sign anything.
You'll move through conditions (like financing or inspection, if included), then work toward closing day, when funds and keys officially change hands. We stay involved at each step so nothing falls through the cracks.

We build a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) using recent, comparable sales in your area, current market conditions, and your home's specific features and condition — not just an algorithm-generated estimate.
This varies a lot by property, which is why we walk every seller through a pre-listing checklist tailored to their home — covering things like decluttering, minor repairs, and photography prep.
This depends heavily on price point, condition, and current market conditions in your specific area. We'll give you a realistic estimate based on comparable properties, not a generic number.
No. You're never obligated to accept any offer — you can negotiate, counter, or decline. We'll help you evaluate offers on more than just price (conditions, closing timeline, financing strength all matter).
Beyond commission, sellers typically budget for legal fees, any agreed-upon repairs, and moving costs. We'll walk through a full breakdown specific to your sale so there are no surprises at closing.

Unlike some other major purchases, there is generally no cooling-off period for resale home purchases in Ontario once an agreement is firm — this is part of why having the right conditions in your offer matters so much. (New construction and condo purchases have different rules under the Condominium Act.)
This refers to one agent representing both the buyer and seller in the same transaction. Shift Residential agents do not double-end — we always ensure separate representation for buyers and sellers so each side has an advocate working solely on their behalf.
All Realtors® are licensed agents who belong to a real estate board and follow its code of ethics; not all licensed agents are Realtors®. “Broker” refers to an additional licensing designation. We're happy to explain exactly what our credentials mean for you.

Whatever works best for you. Tell us your preference up front and we'll match it, rather than defaulting to whatever's easiest for us.
You're never locked into anything before signing a formal agreement, and even after signing, you have options. We'd rather you feel confident in the relationship than feel stuck in it.
Reach out directly — that's exactly what we're here for.