62% of Quebecers feel they do not have enough knowledge to fully understand a real estate transaction

A fact that underscores the importance of Real Estate Awareness Month, currently underway until April 30

Brossard, April 14, 2026 — According to a survey conducted by Léger Marketing on behalf of the Organisme d’autoréglementation du courtage immobilier du Québec (OACIQ), 62% of Quebecers rate their knowledge of the main risks associated with residential real estate at 6 or less.

This declared lack of knowledge highlights the importance for consumers to have access to clear guidelines and reliable information before making major decisions, such as buying or selling a property.

Highlights of the survey

• 62% of Quebecers rate their knowledge of the main risks associated with residential real estate at 6 or less
• On average, participants scored 13.5 correct answers out of 20 on the knowledge test
• Only 4% answered all the questions correctly

In this context, the OACIQ points out that Real Estate Awareness Month — currently underway until April 30 — offers free educational content available online. The purpose of this content is to help consumers better understand the steps involved in a real estate transaction with a real estate broker.

Persistent areas of misunderstanding regarding key concepts

The survey reveals that while some general concepts related to real estate brokerage are well understood, several key concepts remain only partially understood or are often misunderstood.

This applies in particular to buyer and seller representation, the role and scope of real estate brokerage contracts, as well as the concept of fair treatment. This last concept is still poorly understood, as a significant proportion of respondents mistakenly associate it with the simultaneous defence of both parties’ interests.

“The findings of this survey confirm that several key concepts are still not well understood by consumers. Gaining a better understanding of these knowledge gaps enables us to step up our consumer information and prevention efforts,” says OACIQ President and Chief Executive Officer Nadine Lindsay.

About the survey

The study was conducted by Léger Marketing as part of an online survey carried out from March 20 to 22, 2026, among 1,001 Quebecers who were able to respond in French or English. The results were weighted to ensure that the sample was representative of the Quebec population across a range of socio-demographic variables.

About the OACIQ

The Organisme d’autoréglementation du courtage immobilier du Québec (OACIQ) ensures the protection of members of the public who enlist the services of real estate brokerage professionals governed by the Real Estate Brokerage Act. It is a member of the Real Estate Regulators of Canada (RERC), a body that brings together Canadian regulators in the area of real estate brokerage, building inspection, and co-ownership property management in some provinces.

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