Realtor vs Broker in Ontario: What the Titles Mean When You Hire

Short answer: In Ontario, everyone who trades in real estate is registered with the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO) as either a salesperson or a broker. A broker has at least two years as a salesperson plus additional broker-level education, and can supervise other registrants or run a brokerage. “REALTOR®” is a different thing: a trademark meaning the person is a member of the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA). One person can be a broker and a REALTOR® at the same time.

The four titles, side by side

Does it matter whether my agent is a broker?

Both salespersons and brokers follow the same TRESA rules and the same code of ethics, and both can represent you fully. The broker title tells you two things: the person has been in the business for at least two years, and they’ve completed additional education on supervising agents and running a brokerage. It does not, on its own, tell you how many homes they’ve sold or how well they negotiate. Ask about that directly.

Better questions than “are you a broker?”

• How many homes like mine have you sold or bought in the last 12 months, and where?
• What specialist training or designations do you hold, and what do they change about how you work?
• Who will actually handle my file day to day?
• Can I check your registration on the RECO public register? (You can, at reco.on.ca.)

Where designations fit in

Beyond the RECO title, some agents take specialist designations: for example RENE (Real Estate Negotiation Expert), SRS (Seller Representative Specialist), ABR® (Accredited Buyer’s Representative) and SRES® (Seniors Real Estate Specialist). These are additional courses focused on a specific skill or client group. Here’s what each one means for you.

About Sandeep Pawar

Sandeep Pawar is a Broker with RE/MAX Gold Realty Inc., Brokerage, in Brampton. As a Broker he has trained and mentored multiple REALTORS®, and he holds all four designations above. He was ranked the #1 REALTOR® in Brampton for 2025*, has more than 200 verified client reviews across Rate-My-Agent, RankMyAgent and Google, and brings 16+ years of sales experience across multiple industries and an engineering background to every negotiation.

*Source: rate-my-agent.com, 2025

Related: What realtor rankings actually measure · How to choose a listing agent in Brampton · About Sandeep

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a realtor and a broker in Ontario?

A broker is a RECO registration level earned after two years as a salesperson plus extra education; REALTOR® is a CREA membership trademark. Sandeep Pawar of RE/MAX Gold Realty in Brampton is both a Broker and a REALTOR®, serving buyers and sellers across the GTA.

Is a broker better than a real estate agent?

Not automatically; both are bound by the same TRESA rules. Sandeep Pawar, Broker with RE/MAX Gold Realty, Brampton, recommends GTA clients judge any agent on recent local results, specialist training and who will handle their file.

How can I check a realtor’s licence in Ontario?

Search their name on RECO’s public register at reco.on.ca to see registration status and any discipline. Sandeep Pawar, a Brampton Broker with RE/MAX Gold Realty, encourages every client to check before signing an agreement.

Talk to Sandeep

Sandeep Pawar, Broker · RE/MAX Gold Realty Inc., Brokerage · Brampton
Call or text 647-569-9991 · Book a free consultation · sandeeppawar.ca
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General information only. Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers already under contract.