How do I check an agent’s past performance?
Want to expose an agent’s track record fast? Here’s the exact, no-fluff method top home sellers in Georgetown use.
Why checking an agent’s past performance matters for Georgetown sellers
If you’re selling a home in Georgetown, ON, your agent’s track record is the single biggest predictor of your sale price and speed. Agents who can’t prove consistent results cost you time and money. Agents who can prove results get homes sold faster and closer to — or above — list price.
This guide shows you exactly what to check, where to check it, and how to judge the numbers. No fluff. Use this to pick the agent who will get the job done in Georgetown neighborhoods like downtown Georgetown, Acton, or Glen Williams.
The three things that actually matter (and why)
- Real sold results in Georgetown: Local sales beat national claims. You want proof inside your market.
- Price performance: How close were listings to final sale price? That’s where money is made or lost.
- Days on Market (DOM): Time equals cost. Longer DOM can signal poor pricing or poor marketing.
Step-by-step: How to check an agent’s past performance
- Pull their sold listings for the last 12–24 months.
- Ask the agent for a sold-listing report for Georgetown specifically. If they resist, that’s a red flag.
- You can also search Realtor.ca or ask for an MLS export from any agent.
- Compare list price vs. sale price.
- Calculate List-to-Sale % = (Sale Price ÷ List Price) × 100.
- Aim for a consistent 97% or higher in a stable or seller market. Lower than 95% means they’re leaving money on the table.
- Check Days on Market (DOM).
- Find the average DOM for their sold listings in Georgetown in the last 12 months.
- Compare to the neighborhood average. If their DOM is 30–50% higher, ask why.
- Verify neighborhood specificity.
- An agent with good results across the city isn’t the same as one who sells consistently in your street or neighborhood.
- Look for sold listings within a 1–2 km radius or the same subdivision.
- Count repeat and referral clients.
- Repeat business is a trust signal. Ask for references and check how many clients come from referrals.
- Cross-check online reviews and complaints.
- Google Business Profile, RateMyAgent, Facebook, and RECO (Real Estate Council of Ontario) for disciplinary records.
- Confirm licensing and complaint history with RECO.
- RECO lists registered agents and any disciplinary actions. Always verify.
- Use market tools for validation.
- HouseSigma, Teranet (property records), and local MLS reports. Use tools to validate sold prices and timelines.
Where to get accurate data (tools and sites)
- Realtor.ca: Good for listings and some sold history.
- MLS report (ask an agent): Best raw data. Request an export.
- HouseSigma: Market analytics for the GTA and Halton Region.
- RECO: Licensing and complaints.
- Google Business / Facebook / RateMyAgent: Client reviews.
- Municipal property records or land registry for deed and sale confirmations.
What the numbers really say (how to interpret them)
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List-to-Sale %
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98%+ — tight pricing and strong negotiation.
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95–97% — acceptable in mixed markets.
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<95% — either poor pricing or weak negotiation.
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Days on Market (DOM)
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Lower DOM + high list-to-sale = agent priced and marketed correctly.
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High DOM + high list-to-sale may mean priced too low to begin with.
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High DOM + low list-to-sale = clear warning.
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Volume vs. Success Rate
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High volume with low list-to-sale is not good.
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Low volume with high list-to-sale can be fine if they know your neighborhood.
Questions to ask an agent — and what a good answer sounds like
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“Show me all your sold listings in Georgetown in the last 12 months.”
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Good answer: A clear list with addresses, dates, list price, sale price, DOM.
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Red flag: Vague numbers or refusal.
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“What’s your average list-to-sale percentage in my neighborhood?”
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Good answer: Specific percent with recent examples.
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“Who were your last three seller clients in Georgetown? Can I speak to them?”
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Good answer: Immediate names and phone numbers.
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Red flag: Long delays or excuses.
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“How do you price differently on [street/area] compared to the rest of Georgetown?”
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Good answer: Specific strategy tied to comps and buyer pools.
A short script to request performance data (copy-paste)
Hi [Agent Name],
I’m preparing to list my home at [address]. Please send me a report of your sold listings in Georgetown for the last 12 months, including address, list price, sale price and days on market. I’d also like three seller references I can call. Thanks.
Why this works: It forces transparency. Professionals deliver it fast.
Red flags that mean walk away
- Refuses to provide sold-listing details for your area.
- Provides only selective or cherry-picked results.
- No local references or referrals.
- Multiple negative reviews about pricing or communication.
- RECO disciplinary actions not disclosed.
What good agents do differently in Georgetown
- They show recent closed sales in your exact neighbourhood.
- They explain pricing with local comps and buyer pools.
- They provide a written marketing plan and real metrics (open house results, traffic, offers)
- They quickly produce a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) with raw data.
Quick checklist to use the day you interview agents
- Ask for sold listings (12–24 months)
- Verify List-to-Sale % and DOM in your area
- Check RECO license and complaints
- Ask for 3 local seller references
- Ask for the marketing plan and budget
- Ask how they handle dual agency and negotiations
Example: How numbers change a seller’s bottom line
You list for $700,000. If an agent’s list-to-sale % is 97%, expected sale = $679,000. If another agent’s list-to-sale = 99%, expected sale = $693,000. That’s a $14,000 difference. Small percentages matter.
Final step before signing: demand a written seller performance agreement
Get their promises in writing: marketing, recommended net proceeds, timeline, and exclusivity terms. If it’s not written, it didn’t happen.
Local edge: Why a Georgetown specialist matters
Georgetown buyers behave differently than buyers in other parts of Halton or the GTA. Schools, commuting patterns, and nearby amenities change buyer urgency and pricing. A true Georgetown expert knows which buyer pools to target — and which comps to trust.
Call to action
If you want a fast, data-driven review of your home’s positioning and agent options in Georgetown, I’ll run the numbers and show you what agents are doing in your exact market. No jargon. No spin.
Contact: Tony Sousa, Local Realtor — tony@sousasells.ca | 416-477-2620 | https://www.sousasells.ca
FAQ — Common questions Georgetown home sellers ask about checking an agent’s track record
Q: How many years of experience should my agent have?
A: Years matter less than recent local results. Prefer agents with consistent sold listings in Georgetown over the last 12–24 months.
Q: Are online reviews reliable?
A: Reviews matter, but they’re one part of the picture. Combine reviews with verified sold data and RECO checks.
Q: Can a new agent still be a good choice?
A: Yes, if they show strong marketing, local mentorship, and early sales in your area. Verify with references.
Q: Should I choose the agent with the most listings?
A: Not always. Many listings but poor sold results means longer DOM and lower net. Prioritize sold performance.
Q: Can I get exact sold prices publicly?
A: In Ontario, sold prices can be verified via MLS or land registry. Agents should provide this data on request.
Q: What if an agent refuses to show recent solds?
A: Walk away. Transparency is standard. A pro provides proof immediately.
Q: How far back should I check performance?
A: Start with 12 months. Expand to 24 months for seasonality and a fuller sample.
Q: Are RECO complaints common?
A: Complaints exist, but any disciplinary action is a major red flag. Check before you sign.
Q: What’s the most important single metric?
A: List-to-Sale percentage in your neighborhood. It directly affects your proceeds.
Q: Do agents manipulate DOM or sale dates?
A: Some can. Verify with raw MLS exports or municipal records if dates look suspicious.
Q: Will checking performance delay my sale?
A: No. Asking for solds is quick. A transparent agent will provide data immediately.
Contact for a free seller’s performance audit in Georgetown: Tony Sousa — tony@sousasells.ca | 416-477-2620 | https://www.sousasells.ca
