Residential real estate agent
Help local people buy and sell homes as a licensed agent, paid commission when a deal completes.
- C$3k-12k
- Part-time
- Out and about
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
You work as a licensed real estate salesperson under a brokerage. You list homes, show properties, advise buyers and sellers and negotiate offers, usually as a self-employed agent.
Your first three steps
- Check your province's real estate regulator for the pre-licensing course, exam and eligibility rules
- Interview two or three brokerages about their splits, fees, training and support for new agents
- Set aside living costs for the first several months and start telling friends, family and neighbours your plan
Who pays
Home sellers, and sometimes buyers, through commission paid at closing. The brokerage normally takes a share of what you earn.
How it makes money
A commission on each completed sale, split with your brokerage. Income arrives in lumps after closing, so some months can be empty while others are strong.
Skills that help
- Talking with and listening to people
- Negotiating
- Staying organized with many deals at once
- Patience and persistence
Watch out for
- Licensing is set by each province or territory, so check your regulator's requirements and renewal rules
- Errors and omissions insurance, check what your province or brokerage requires
- Income can be irregular and slow to start, so plan your savings
- Board, MLS and brokerage fees are usually paid by you, so check what is included
- Self-employed agents need to plan for their own taxes and GST/HST, so ask an accountant
Deep research report · Canada
Everything you need to start: residential real estate agent
Researched with live web search for Canada: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to become a real estate agent in Canada?
Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $3,000 to $12,000, depending on your provincial licensing and training, and on board, MLS and brokerage fees, which you usually pay yourself.
How much can a real estate agent earn in Canada?
Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $1,000 to $8,000, depending on how many deals close. Income can be irregular and slow to start, and the brokerage normally takes a share, so plan your savings.
What licence do I need to become a real estate agent in Canada?
Licensing is set by each province or territory, so check your regulator's requirements and renewal rules. Also check what errors and omissions insurance your province or brokerage requires, and ask an accountant about your own taxes and GST/HST.
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