How to find a great real estate agent in London, Ontario
Buying or selling a home is one of the biggest adventures a family can go on. Here's how to pick the right guide for the trip — explained the easy way.
Imagine you're going on a huge treasure hunt. You wouldn't just grab the first map you see, right? You'd want a guide who knows the land, has done this before, and actually cares whether you find the treasure — not just someone who wants to move on to the next hunt.
Picking a real estate agent works the exact same way. Here's how to find a good one.
1.What to look for first
Before you even talk to anyone, here are the things that actually matter:
How long they've been doing this
Someone who has helped people buy and sell homes for many years has probably seen almost every problem that can happen — and knows how to fix it before it becomes a big deal.
What kinds of help they offer
Some agents only help people buy. Some only help people sell. A well-rounded agent can help with buying, selling, renting out property, and helping people downsize — because your life doesn't stop needing help after one deal.
Real experience, not just a license
Has the agent ever owned a rental home or investment property themselves? That's very different from just reading about it in a class — it means they've actually lived the landlord and investor side of things too.
What past clients say
Ask to talk to someone the agent has helped before. A happy past client tells you more than any advertisement ever could.
2.The biggest myth: "more sales = better agent"
Here's something a lot of people get wrong. They think the agent who sold the most houses this year must be the best one.
Imagine two chefs. One made 500 sandwiches this month. The other made 50. Does the first chef automatically make better sandwiches? Not necessarily — maybe they rushed through every order. What actually matters is: did the people who ate those sandwiches love them? Would they come back? Would they tell a friend?
The same goes for agents. A high number of sales might mean an agent is popular — or it might mean they're stretched too thin to give your home their full attention. What really matters is whether their past clients were genuinely taken care of.
3.Questions to ask before you choose
When you talk to an agent, come prepared. Here are the questions that really tell you something:
- How long have you been a real estate agent?Experience helps them handle surprises calmly.
- Do you personally own any investment or rental properties?This shows they understand more than just one side of real estate.
- What areas do you know best?A local expert knows the neighbourhoods, schools, and even which streets flood in spring.
- Do you work with buyers, sellers, investors, and downsizers?Life changes — it helps to have one person who can guide you through every stage.
- Can I speak with a past client?A confident agent will happily connect you with someone they've helped.
- Will you personally be handling my file, or will someone else on your team?You want to know exactly who you're working with.
- What happens after the sale closes — do we still stay in touch?The best agents think of you as a long-term relationship, not a one-time deal.
- What's your plan if something goes wrong during the process?Problems happen. You want someone with a calm plan, not a shrug.
4.How to "interview" an agent
Choosing an agent is a lot like a job interview — except you're the one doing the hiring. Here's how to do it:
Make a short list
Pick two or three agents to talk to. You don't need to interview ten people — just enough to compare.
Meet or call each one
Bring your list of questions from above. Take notes so you can compare answers later.
Pay attention to how they answer
Do they actually listen to what you need, or do they mostly talk about themselves? Are they patient with your questions, even the ones that feel small?
Trust your gut
You might spend months — or, if you buy, sell, or invest again someday, years — working with this person. Choose someone you genuinely trust and feel comfortable calling anytime.
5.The secret most people miss
A lot of people think of a real estate agent as someone they use once and never talk to again. But the best agents are more like a family doctor — someone who's with you for your very first home, your growing family's next home, your rental property, and eventually helping you downsize one day.
That kind of relationship isn't built in one transaction. It's built by an agent who genuinely cares about your life after the sale closes — not just their next commission.
Colene Wells
I've been a real estate agent for 18 years, and I also own rental properties myself — so when clients ask me about investing, renting, or managing a property, I'm speaking from real experience, not just training.
I work with everyone: first-time buyers taking their very first step, investors building a portfolio, sellers ready for their next chapter, and folks downsizing into a simpler life. To me, every one of those moments matters just as much as the last.
My goal has never been just to close a deal — it's to earn your business for life. That means your referrals, your future purchases, your family's next moves. I treat every transaction like it's my own home on the line, because I know how much it matters to you.
