Selling a house in Westmount isn’t like selling a condo downtown. The homes are older, the buyers are more particular, and a property on Summit Circle can have almost nothing in common with one near Sherbrooke Street, even though they share a postal code.
That’s why the broker you choose matters as much as the house itself. Here’s how to tell the difference between someone who sells homes and someone who really knows this market.
They know the streets, not just the city
Ask a broker to talk you through the neighbourhood. A strong local agent will explain the difference between upper and lower Westmount, which streets hold their value best, how proximity to Westmount Park or Victoria Avenue changes buyer interest, and what recent sales on your block actually tell you. If the answers stay general, keep looking.
They have a real network
Plenty of high-end homes in Montreal change hands quietly, sometimes without ever being publicly listed. A broker who has worked the area for years usually knows who is thinking of selling and who is actively looking. For sellers, that can mean serious buyers before your home even hits the market. For buyers, it can mean seeing something no one else has.
Their marketing matches the property
Look at how a broker presents their current listings. Is the photography excellent? Is there a proper floor plan? Do they reach buyers outside Montreal, including international buyers? An affiliation with a global luxury network, such as Sotheby’s International Realty, can extend a listing’s reach well beyond Quebec.
They’re discreet
Many sellers at this level value privacy. Ask how a broker handles showings, who gets access to the property, and how they vet buyers before they walk through your home.
They’ll tell you the truth about price
Every seller wants to hear a big number. A good broker will show you the comparable sales and explain honestly what the market will bear, even if it’s not what you hoped. Overpricing a Westmount home and then cutting the price later almost always costs more than pricing it right from the start.
Check the track record
Look for a long history in the area, real reviews, and press coverage of past sales. The Kaufman Group is one example: a family-run team that has worked in Westmount for many years and is affiliated with Sotheby’s International Realty Québec. When you’re comparing options for a luxury real estate broker in Westmount, ask each one for sales they’ve handled on streets like yours.
The bottom line
Interview at least two or three brokers. Pay attention to who listens more than they talk, who knows your street by name, and who gives you straight answers. That’s usually the person who will get you the best result.