1. How long have you been a real estate professional, and how would you describe your level of expertise?

When hiring someone to guide you, provide advice, and handle the legal documents involved in a real estate transaction, their skill set is critical to your success.

• Why it’s important: Just as a resume highlights qualifications for a job, understanding the experience level of your real estate agent is vital. While many transactions are straightforward, unexpected challenges often arise. An experienced professional, who has successfully navigated complex situations, can mean the difference between closing a deal or seeing it fall apart. Their expertise also impacts your level of risk during, and after the transaction, due to the quality of their advice and decisions.

• What to watch for: Inquire about any formal training or certifications they’ve pursued and ask them to share notable challenges they’ve faced throughout their career. This will give you insight into how their experience enhances the value they bring to clients like you.

2. What are your greatest personal and professional strengths, and how will you use them to benefit me?

This question encourages the candidate to reflect on their journey into real estate and identify the skills and values that define them. Listen for insights into their problem-solving abilities, relationship-building skills, and professional principles.

• Why it’s important: Strong relationships often determine whether transactions meet critical deadlines. Understanding what motivates an agent can help you assess whether their strengths align with your needs. For example, an agent with excellent organizational skills might excel at keeping you informed and on schedule, while one with strong negotiation skills may secure better terms for you.

• What to watch for: Pay attention to their emphasis on client relationships. Agents who value collaboration and prioritize communication are more likely to deliver a seamless experience.

3. Are you a strong communicator? If so, how do you define good communication, and why is it important?

Effective communication is a cornerstone of real estate success. This question digs into how the agent approaches conversations with you and other parties involved in a transaction.

• Why it’s important: The way an agent interacts with other professionals, like service providers or opposing agents, can significantly impact the outcome of your transaction. A skilled communicator fosters collaboration, reducing the likelihood of delays or conflicts.

• What to watch for: Look for someone who is clear, transparent, and proactive in their communication. They should be able to create a positive working environment where others are willing to go the extra mile to help you achieve your goals.

4. What are your policies on availability and responsiveness?

Real estate is a fast-paced industry where opportunities can arise—and disappear—within hours. It’s crucial to understand the agent’s approach to balancing accessibility with personal obligations.

• Why it’s important: The ability to respond quickly can be the deciding factor in securing a property, or finalizing a deal. Agents who do not have systems that address the industry’s “just-in-time” nature may leave you feeling unsupported and upset during critical moments.

• What to watch for: Ask about how they feel about accommodating short notice requests, managing updates on listings, showings, and communicating transaction progress. A reliable agent should have a clear process for keeping you informed and addressing urgent needs promptly.

5. How do you define exceptional service, and can you share examples?

Perceptions of high-level service vary greatly. This question allows you to gauge what “above and beyond” means to the agent, and whether their standards align with your expectations.

• Why it’s important: Real estate transactions often involve substantial sums of money and high stakes. An agent who consistently exceeds client expectations can make the process smoother and more rewarding.

• What to watch for: Look for specific examples, such as an agent who went out of their way to stop by and secure a property just prior to a storm, or to arrange for snow plow service, or personal property removal prior to the close of a vacant property. Anecdotes, like these, reveal their dedication and ability to deliver under pressure.

6. What should I know about the current real estate market, and how will you help me succeed in it?

The real estate market is ever-changing, influenced by supply, demand, and broader economic factors. A knowledgeable agent should be able to provide up-to-date insights and adapt their strategies to the current market conditions. They should also know the market down to street by street differences that can often vary by tens of thousands of dollars.

• Why it’s important: A seller’s market will call for strategies that create the most competition possible. Your representative will need to leverage the communications they have with every buyer agent who has clients that have shown an interest. It is also important that your representative seek out every potential comparable and to use them to secure the highest offers. A buyer’s market will require creative approaches to marketing to achieve the highest level of exposure for your property. They’ll also need to understand appraisal requirements and how to use them to create advantages for you through your financing terms, or other means.

• What to watch for: Seek an agent who can explain market trends clearly and offer actionable advice tailored to your situation. They should also demonstrate a thorough understanding of how to leverage current conditions for your benefit.

Summary

Choosing the right real estate professional involves more than evaluating their sales record or marketing plan. By asking these questions, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of their professionalism, expertise, and compatibility with your needs.

These inquiries will also help you identify someone who is not only skilled, but also committed to going the extra mile to represent your interests. If you are out of our area and have further questions about how to find your ideal real estate representative, please connect with us. We’ll be happy to answer your questions or offer great suggestions.

If you are in West Michigan and want to learn more about our personal service, or you are thinking about hiring a real estate professional, it would be our honor to interview with you! Please call or text us at 616-318-1322. We’ll grab a cup of coffee and connect!

Areas of Expertise Within Our Firm

• Current and future land use and how changes affect value

• Residential appraisal, and how proper use of this expertise influences your direct bottom line

• Property chain of title, and title curative issues

• Residential real estate brokerage

• Commercial real estate brokerage (certain property classes) and multi-family site selection

• Zoning, planning and client representation before municipal boards

• Vacant land development, soil investigation, and suitability for building

• Land division and site plan approval process

• Specialty - Properties subject to probate, or other fiduciary management (CPRES)

• Specialty - Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES)

• Mediation and facilitation - Family tensions involving real estate, estate properties, etc.