10 Questions to Ask Your Listing Agent Before Signing (Kelowna Edition)
The right questions reveal a great Kelowna condo agent in about ten minutes. Here are the ones I'd ask, plus the red flags I'd walk away from.
10
Key Questions
2-3
Agents to Interview
10+
Condos Sold/Year
$0
Cost to Interview
Giuseppe Gaspari
REALTOR® | Okanagan Real Estate Specialist
Born and raised in Kelowna. Helping families find their perfect Okanagan home.
Last updated: May 2026
Why the Right Agent Matters More for Condos
I've sold a lot of condos in this town, and here's the honest truth: a condo is not just a smaller house. It comes with strata documents, depreciation reports, special levies, rental and pet bylaws, and a building reputation that can swing your sale by tens of thousands of dollars. An agent who mostly sells single-family homes can miss all of that.
The good news is you don't need to be a real estate expert to pick a good agent. You just need to ask the right questions and listen carefully to the answers. The questions below are designed to do one thing: separate the agent who actually knows the Kelowna condo market from the one who's winging it.
Before any of this, it helps to know what you're walking into. My condo seller's checklist lays out the full process step by step. And one more thing: I interview agents for a living, so I'll say it plainly. If you read this and decide another agent is the better fit for your building, that's a win. The goal is the right agent, not necessarily me.
The 10 Questions
For each one, I'll tell you why it matters, what a good answer sounds like, and the red flag that should make you pause.
"How many condos have you sold in the last 12 months?"
Why it matters: Condo experience is different from house experience. You want someone who lives in this part of the market, knows the buildings, and understands how strata details affect price and buyer demand.
A good answer sounds like: "I've closed 12 condos this year, including two in buildings near yours. Here are the addresses." Specifics and recent, relevant sales are what you're after, ideally a few in your building or neighbourhood.
Red flag: "I sell everything, condos, houses, acreages, you name it." A jack-of-all-trades answer with no condo numbers usually means your unit is not their specialty.
"What would you list my condo at, and why?"
Why it matters: This tests their pricing methodology, which is the single most important thing they do. The "why" matters more than the number.
A good answer sounds like: a price backed by recent floor-adjusted sales in your building, with adjustments for your view, floor, and finishes. They should show you the comps, not just state a figure.
Red flag: the highest number in the room with no evidence behind it. Some agents quote a sky-high price to win the listing, then start pushing you to reduce it two weeks in. An overpriced condo sits, and a stale listing scares off the buyers you actually want.
Treat the listing appointment like an interview, because that's exactly what it is
"What's your marketing plan beyond MLS?"
Why it matters: Posting to MLS is the bare minimum. The agents who get top dollar build real demand before and after the listing goes live.
A good answer sounds like: professional photos, video or a walkthrough, social media promotion, an agent network to tap buyers directly, and coming-soon pre-marketing to build interest before launch day.
Red flag: "We put it on MLS and wait." That's not a plan, that's a hope. In a balanced market, passive listings get passed over.
"What's your commission, and what does it include?"
Why it matters: Commission is negotiable in BC, and you deserve to know exactly what you're paying for. A clear answer is a sign of an honest operator.
A good answer sounds like: a clear breakdown of the total commission, how it splits with the buyer's agent, and what services are covered, photography, staging consultation, marketing, and so on. If you want the full picture, my guide to real estate commission in BC breaks down typical rates and splits.
Red flag: a vague "we'll figure that out later" or a number with no explanation of what it buys you. If they dodge the money question now, expect more surprises later.
"How will you handle multiple offers?"
Why it matters: A well-priced, well-marketed condo can draw competing offers. How your agent manages that moment can add real money to your sale.
A good answer sounds like: experience running offer nights, a clear strategy for creating competition, and a plan to keep every buyer engaged and treated fairly so nobody walks.
Red flag: they've never actually handled multiple offers, or they get fuzzy on the process. Fumbling a multiple-offer situation can cost you thousands or scare buyers off entirely.
Want a straight answer to all 10 of these?
I'll walk through your building, your numbers, and my plan, no obligation.
"What happens if it doesn't sell in 30 days?"
Why it matters: Not every condo sells in the first few weeks. You want an agent with a plan for that, not just a reflex.
A good answer sounds like: a data-driven review, looking at showing feedback, fresh comparable sales, and the photos and copy, then a deliberate decision on whether to refresh the marketing, adjust the price, or both.
Red flag: "We just reduce the price." Price is sometimes the issue, but an agent whose only tool is a price cut isn't doing the rest of the job.
"Do you know my building?"
Why it matters: This is the condo question. Every building has its own personality, strong strata or weak, healthy contingency fund or looming special levy, rental-friendly or owner-occupied. The right agent uses that knowledge to position your unit.
A good answer sounds like: familiarity with the strata, recent sales in the building, and the quirks buyers ask about, the parking situation, the pet bylaws, the upcoming roof project everyone's talking about.
Red flag: "I'll look it up." It's fine not to know every building by heart, but a condo specialist should recognize the major ones and know how to read the documents fast.
Read the listing agreement and the strata documents carefully before you sign anything
"Will I work with you or a team member?"
Why it matters: Some agents win the listing, then hand you off. There's nothing wrong with a team, as long as you know upfront who you'll actually be dealing with.
A good answer sounds like: "I handle your showings, negotiations, and the tough calls personally. My coordinator helps with scheduling and paperwork." Clear roles, with the senior person on the important parts.
Red flag: "My assistant will be your main contact." If the person you trusted disappears after signing, you didn't hire the agent you thought you did.
"How do you handle the buyer representation agreement rules?"
Why it matters: The 2024 CREA changes affect how buyer agents get paid and how commission is presented. An agent who understands the current rules will set up your listing correctly and avoid surprises at the negotiating table.
A good answer sounds like: a clear, plain-English explanation of how buyer compensation is handled today and how it affects your listing strategy. They should be comfortable talking about it.
Red flag: a blank stare, or no awareness that the rules changed. If they're not current on this, you have to wonder what else they've missed.
"Can I see your reviews and references?"
Why it matters: Past clients tell you what working with this agent is actually like, especially the part that happens after the listing goes live.
A good answer sounds like: "Here's my Google reviews page, and I can connect you with a couple of recent condo sellers who'd be happy to chat." Confidence and easy access are good signs.
Red flag: getting defensive, deflecting, or having nothing to show. A good agent is proud of their track record and happy to prove it.
Bonus: Trust Your Gut
After you've asked all ten, sit back and notice how you feel. Did the agent listen to you, or did they spend the whole meeting pitching? Did they answer your actual questions, or steer back to their script? You're going to be in close contact with this person through one of the bigger financial decisions of your life. The relationship matters.
Here's something worth sitting with. The best agent in the room might quote you a lower price than you were hoping for. That's not weakness, that's honesty. An agent who tells you the truth about your condo's value, even when it's not what you want to hear, is worth far more than one who flatters you into an overpriced listing that sits for months.
If you want a sense of the bigger picture before you list, my guide to selling a condo in Kelowna covers the whole process. And it's worth knowing the most common condo selling mistakes so you can spot whether your agent helps you avoid them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I ask a realtor before listing my condo?
Ask about their condo-specific experience, how they arrived at your suggested list price, their marketing plan beyond MLS, their commission and what it includes, and how they handle multiple offers. For condos specifically, ask whether they know your building, who reads the strata documents, and whether you will work with them directly or a team member. Finish by asking to see their Google reviews and seller references.
How many condos should a listing agent have sold?
There is no magic number, but a strong condo agent in Kelowna will usually have sold at least 10 condos in the past 12 months, ideally a few in your building or neighbourhood. Condos have quirks that houses do not, like strata documents, special levies, and building reputation. An agent who mostly sells single-family homes may not price or market your unit as sharply. What matters most is recent, relevant experience, not just a big career total.
Should I interview more than one listing agent?
Yes. Interviewing two or three agents costs you nothing and tells you a lot. You will quickly see who actually researched your building, who gave you a defensible price with comparable sales, and who just quoted the highest number to win your business. Selling a condo is one of the biggest financial moves most people make, so it is worth a few extra conversations to get it right.
What's a red flag when choosing a listing agent?
The biggest red flag is an agent who quotes the highest possible price with no comparable sales to back it up, then pressures you to reduce it weeks later. Other warning signs include a vague commission answer, a marketing plan that is just MLS and waiting, not knowing your building, handing you off to an assistant after signing, and getting defensive when you ask for reviews or references. Trust how they make you feel during the meeting too.
Interviewing Agents for Your Kelowna Condo?
Ask me all ten of these. I'll give you straight answers, the comps to back up the price, and an honest read on your building, no pressure and no obligation.