Quebec Real Estate: How to Choose a Broker in the Laurentians

Real estate in Quebec is governed by provincial rules, even though mortgage financing and several resources for buyers are part of the broader Canadian real estate system.

A real estate project generally involves several steps: determining financial capacity, defining needs, reviewing properties, checking available documents, preparing an offer or marketing strategy and coordinating the professionals involved.

The process may vary depending on the type of property:

• single-family home;
• condominium;
• land;
• income property;
• property with specific characteristics.

Location also affects how properties should be compared. Prices, property types, nearby services and buyer expectations may differ between Saint-Jérôme and other municipalities in the Laurentians.

Information found through general searches about Canadian or Quebec real estate is therefore only a starting point. Important decisions should also consider Quebec laws, the property’s documents, the client’s financial situation and the advice of the professionals involved in the transaction.

For an overview of the main home-buying steps, consult the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation home-buying guide.

In Quebec, the official title is “real estate broker.” The expressions “real estate agent” and “real estate salesperson” were previously used to describe the professional now known as a real estate broker.

The term “real estate agent” is still commonly used in online searches and everyday language. However, anyone seeking brokerage services in Quebec should first verify that the professional holds a valid licence issued by the OACIQ.

A real estate broker is a person authorized to assist clients with residential or commercial real estate transactions, according to the rights attached to their licence. A broker may work for a real estate agency or, when properly authorized, act independently.

A real estate agency is a person or company that carries out brokerage transactions through licensed real estate brokers.

This distinction helps identify who is actually providing the professional service. A website, real estate portal or lead-transmission platform is not automatically a broker or a real estate agency.

Laurentides Immobilier is a referral platform. The website does not provide real estate brokerage services directly. Requests may be forwarded to real estate brokers who hold a valid OACIQ licence.

To learn more about the platform, visit the About Laurentides Immobilier page.

You may also consult the OACIQ frequently asked questions for the official terminology.

As of December 31, 2025, Quebec had 16,849 holders of a valid real estate broker licence. This number was supplemented by 703 holders of a real estate agency licence, for a total of 17,552 licence holders regulated by the OACIQ. Among the brokers, 563 were acting on their own account.

This distinction is essential. The figure 17,552 does not represent only individuals working as brokers: it includes 16,849 broker licences and 703 agency licences.

The OACIQ’s published figures also show the following breakdown of broker licences as of December 31, 2025:

• 9,013 residential real estate brokers;
• 7,559 full-service brokers authorized to practise residential and commercial real estate brokerage;
• 277 commercial real estate brokers.

The answer to the question “How many real estate brokers are there in Quebec?” therefore depends on what is being measured. When referring to individuals holding a valid broker licence, the most precise answer is 16,849 at the end of 2025. When referring to all licensed brokers and agencies, the total was 17,552.

These figures may change as new licences are issued, suspended, revoked or renewed. To verify a specific professional, consult the OACIQ Register of Licence Holders, where the information is updated regularly.

Source: OACIQ 2025 Annual Report.

Knowledge of the local area can help a broker interpret comparable properties, buyer expectations and the specific characteristics of a neighbourhood. However, local knowledge does not guarantee a particular selling price or transaction timeline.

The Laurentians do not form one completely uniform real estate market. Desired features, property types, travel distances and relevant comparable properties can vary from one municipality to another. A project in Saint-Jérôme should therefore be assessed according to its specific area and property type rather than through general data covering the entire region.

For a seller, a broker who knows the area well may help to:

• identify which properties are genuinely relevant comparables;
• understand how the property’s characteristics affect its positioning;
• prepare the documents required for marketing;
• develop a strategy suited to the buyers who may be interested;
• explain the steps that follow the receipt of a promise to purchase.

For a buyer, this local knowledge may make it easier to evaluate neighbourhoods, travel needs, nearby services and available properties. The broker should nevertheless base any recommendation on the client’s situation and on information that has been verified for the transaction.

Local knowledge should not be assessed solely by the number of years of experience. Ask the professional what types of properties they have handled recently, which municipalities they work in regularly and how they select the comparable properties used in their analysis.

A real estate broker in the Laurentians should also be able to explain the differences between the areas they serve without presenting the entire region as a single uniform market.

The best real estate broker in the Laurentians is the one whose experience, working method and services genuinely match your project. No single professional is automatically the best choice for every buyer, seller, area and type of property.

The expression “best real estate broker in the Laurentians” should therefore be understood as a search for comparison criteria, not as proof that one professional objectively ranks first. Advertising claims such as “the best” or “number one” should always be supported by a clear method, a reference period and verifiable data.

Before choosing a broker, compare the following elements:

Price or remuneration should not be the only deciding factor. A lower-cost proposal may include fewer services, while higher remuneration does not automatically provide better support.

Also consider the quality of the explanations provided. A broker should be able to justify their recommendations, explain the limits of their analysis and answer your questions clearly without applying unnecessary pressure.

Before signing a contract, consult the OACIQ Register of Licence Holders. It can be used to verify the professional’s identity, licence validity, right to practise and affiliated agency, when applicable.

To learn more about advertising claims such as “the best” or “number one,” consult the OACIQ guidelines on representation and advertising.

An initial meeting allows you to evaluate much more than the professional’s personality. It helps you understand their experience, working method, services and how they intend to support you.

Useful questions include:

• What experience do you have with my type of property? Ask for examples directly related to a house, condominium, land or income property similar to your project rather than only the total number of years of experience.

• Which municipalities in the Laurentians do you work in regularly? The broker should be able to explain their knowledge of Saint-Jérôme or the targeted area and describe how they select comparable properties.

• How do you prepare your market analysis? Ask which data, sold properties, active listings and specific property characteristics will be considered.

• What strategy do you recommend for my project? The professional should be able to explain their recommendations, the planned steps and the reasons supporting their method.

• Who will be my main point of contact? In a team, the person presenting the services is not necessarily the person responsible for daily follow-ups.

• How often will we communicate? Clarify the preferred communication methods, usual response times and how updates will be provided.

• Which services are included? Ask for details about visits, marketing, photography, communications, document review and follow-up after a promise to purchase.

• How is your remuneration calculated? Request a complete explanation of the percentage or amount, applicable taxes and the conditions stated in the contract.

• How do you handle offers and negotiations? The answer should describe a clear method without promising a specific price or guaranteed result.

• How can I verify your licence? An authorized professional should be able to provide their official name and licence number easily.

• Which documents will I need to provide? This question helps prepare the file and avoid delays caused by missing information.

• What will you expect from me during the mandate? The client’s responsibilities, required steps and upcoming decisions should be explained from the beginning.

Be cautious of answers based mainly on promises such as “I will necessarily sell for more” or “I will quickly find the perfect property.” A real estate transaction depends on many factors that are never entirely controlled by one person.

To verify a professional’s licence and right to practise, consult the OACIQ Register of Licence Holders.

A good process begins by defining the project and preparing the essential information. The goal is not simply to complete a form as quickly as possible, but to provide enough information to support a relevant referral to a real estate broker serving the area concerned.

For a Buying Project

Before beginning property visits, take the time to clarify your financial situation, needs and priorities. Proper preparation can help focus the search and avoid spending time on properties that do not match the project.

Prepare the following information:

• the municipalities or areas being considered;
• the desired type of property;
• the approximate budget;
• the status of the financing or mortgage pre-approval;
• the expected timeline;
• the essential property features;
• the preferred but non-essential features;
• any constraints that may affect the search.

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation home-buying guide explains the main steps related to financial preparation, financing, property searches, offers to purchase and the completion of a transaction.

For a Selling Project

A property owner considering a sale should gather the available information about the property and think about their objectives before meeting with a broker.

Prepare the following:

• the address and type of property;
• the year of construction, when known;
• completed renovations and improvements;
• available invoices or warranties;
• documents related to the property;
• the desired timeline;
• the main reasons for selling;
• any special elements that could affect the transaction.

A broker can then explain the required documents, relevant comparable properties, the proposed marketing strategy and the steps that follow the receipt of a promise to purchase.

To learn more about the main steps involved in selling with a broker, consult the OACIQ Seller’s Guide.

Requesting a Referral

Laurentides Immobilier allows buyers and sellers to describe their project so that the request may be forwarded to a real estate broker serving Saint-Jérôme or another municipality in the Laurentians.

To help process the request, clearly indicate:

• the type of project;
• the municipality concerned;
• the type of property;
• the expected timeline;
• your contact information;
• any specific details the broker should know.

Laurentides Immobilier is a referral platform, not a real estate broker or real estate agency. Sending a request does not guarantee that a broker will accept the file, that a property will be found, that a sale will be completed or that a specific result will be achieved.

You can submit your real estate project when you are ready to be referred to a professional serving the Laurentians.

Service available in French and English through real estate brokers holding an OACIQ licence.

Understanding real estate in Quebec requires distinguishing general information about Canadian real estate from the rules and practices that apply to brokerage in Quebec. It is also important to distinguish between a referral platform, a real estate agency and the broker who actually assists the client.

In the Laurentians, the right choice depends on the area, the type of property, relevant experience and the quality of the explanations provided. Before committing, compare the services, ask specific questions and always verify the professional’s licence in the OACIQ register.

To begin your project in Saint-Jérôme or elsewhere in the Laurentians, you can submit your real estate request to help facilitate a referral to a broker serving your area.