You call about a house. The listing agent answers your questions and arranges a visit. The conversation feels helpful, so you assume someone is now looking after your side of the purchase. That is the assumption to check.
Helpful information and buyer advocacy are different
If you remain self-represented in an Ontario transaction, the seller's representative acts for the seller—not for you. RECO’s consumer guidance explains that you are responsible for your own interests and should seek independent professional advice.
This is not a judgment about whether an agent is friendly or knowledgeable. It is about whose interests the relationship requires them to protect. You should not have to guess from the tone of a conversation.
| Property-information question | Buyer-advice question |
|---|---|
| Where can I find the listed inclusions? | Which inclusions should I negotiate for? |
| What documents are available? | Do those documents resolve the risks for my intended use? |
| What is the asking price? | What should I offer, and what is my negotiating strategy? |
The right-hand questions ask someone to exercise judgment for you. Do not assume the seller's representative can fill that role while you remain self-represented.
Understand the limits before discussing an offer
Under RECO’s self-representation guidance, an agent cannot give a self-represented party advice or opinions about offer price, terms or clauses. Permitted assistance must serve or be incidental to serving the agent's client, be in that client's best interests and follow the client's instructions.
The agent must provide and explain the RECO Information Guide and the applicable self-represented-party disclosure before assisting, and make best efforts to obtain acknowledgement. Read what they mean rather than treating them as an administrative step on the way to the kitchen tour.
Keep your negotiation conversation deliberate
Before talking about your maximum budget, urgency or willingness to drop a condition, establish who is receiving that information. Information you give the seller's representative may be shared with the seller as part of that representative's duties. Do not treat the conversation as confidential advice for your side.
A useful opening is: “Before we discuss my offer, can you explain whom you represent and what assistance you can provide?” Then decide whether you want your own representation and what independent legal or technical advice the purchase needs.
What if I want the relationship to change?
You can seek representation rather than continue on your own. Ask the brokerage to explain the proposed arrangement, agreements and any conflicts before services begin. Do not infer a new relationship merely because more questions have been answered or paperwork has been sent.
Write down who will help you evaluate price, review property questions and advise on the agreement. An unanswered item is a support gap to resolve—not a reason to assume the seller's agent is covering it.
The question to settle first
Before “What should I offer?”, ask “Who is advising me?” A clear answer makes the next conversation much more useful.
For more detail, read Buying Without Your Own Agent in Ontario. If you are considering buyer representation, I can explain the process and proposed relationship before you decide. This is general information, not advice about a particular agreement.
Expect Moore for Your Real Estate. — Chad Moore, REALTOR® — Lake City Realty Ltd., Brokerage