Choosing a REALTOR® isn't just about finding someone who can show you homes or put a "For Sale" sign in your yard.

You're choosing someone who may be beside you through negotiations, inspections, unexpected problems, big financial decisions, and ultimately, closing day.

So before deciding who to work with, it's worth having a real conversation.

Here are some of the questions that can help you determine whether a REALTOR® is the right fit for you.

How Well Do You Know the Area?

Real estate is local.

Two homes just a few streets apart can have different values, buyer demand, neighborhood characteristics, and market activity.

Ask your REALTOR® about their experience in the communities you're considering.

If you're buying or selling in Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, or elsewhere in Oakland County, you want someone who understands not only the broader market but also the differences between individual neighborhoods.

Have You Worked With Clients in a Situation Like Mine?

Not every real estate transaction is the same.

A first-time buyer has different questions than someone purchasing their third home.

A growing family looking for more space may have different priorities than homeowners preparing to downsize after decades in the same house.

Tell the REALTOR® about your situation and ask how they've helped clients with similar needs.

How Will You Communicate With Me?

This may sound like a small detail—until you're waiting to hear whether your offer was accepted.

Ask how your REALTOR® normally communicates.

Text? Phone? Email?

How quickly can you generally expect a response? How often will you receive updates?

There's no single correct communication style. What matters is finding someone whose approach works well with yours.

What Should I Expect From the Process?

A good REALTOR® should be able to explain what comes next in a way that makes sense.

If you're buying, they should help you understand the journey from financing and home searches through offers, inspections, appraisal, and closing.

If you're selling, they should be able to walk you through preparing the home, pricing, marketing, showings, offers, negotiations, and closing.

You don't need to understand every detail on day one.

But you should feel comfortable asking questions along the way.

How Will You Help Me Determine the Right Price?

For sellers, ask how the REALTOR® arrives at a recommended listing price.

It shouldn't simply be based on what another home down the street is asking.

Recent comparable sales, condition, location, features, competition, and current market conditions can all play a role.

Buyers can ask a similar question:

How will you help me decide what to offer?

Your agent should be able to help you evaluate available market information so you can make an informed decision.

What's Your Approach to Negotiation?

Negotiation isn't always just about price.

Closing dates, inspections, repairs, possession, contingencies, and other terms may all become part of a transaction.

Ask how the REALTOR® approaches negotiations and communicates with clients when difficult decisions need to be made.

You want someone who can advocate for your interests without losing sight of the bigger picture.

What Will I Be Signing, and How Does Compensation Work?

Don't be uncomfortable asking about contracts and compensation.

You should understand the agreement you're entering into, what services are being provided, how long the agreement lasts, how compensation works, and what happens if circumstances change.

Ask questions before signing anything you don't understand.

A professional REALTOR® should be comfortable explaining the details.

What Happens When Something Goes Wrong?

Real estate doesn't always follow the perfect plan.

An inspection may uncover an issue. An appraisal may raise questions. Financing could be delayed. A buyer or seller may suddenly change course.

Ask your REALTOR® how they handle situations when things don't go as expected.

You aren't necessarily looking for someone who promises there will never be a problem.

You're looking for someone you trust to help you navigate one when it happens.

Can I See What Past Clients Have Said About Working With You?

Reviews and testimonials can tell you more than how many homes an agent has sold.

Look for comments about communication, responsiveness, patience, negotiation, local knowledge, and how clients felt throughout the process.

Those details can give you a better sense of what working with that REALTOR® might actually be like.

And Finally: Do You Feel Comfortable With Them?

This one isn't really a question you ask the REALTOR®.

It's a question you ask yourself.

Do I trust this person?

Do they listen when you speak?

Do they answer your questions clearly?

Do you feel comfortable telling them when you're uncertain?

Do you feel informed—or pressured?

Experience and market knowledge are important, but so is the relationship.

Choosing a REALTOR® Should Feel Like a Conversation

You don't need to sit across the table with a twenty-question checklist.

Talk about your goals. Ask what's on your mind. Pay attention to the questions the REALTOR® asks you, too.

The right professional shouldn't simply be interested in your transaction.

They should be interested in understanding what you're trying to accomplish.

Because whether you're buying your first home, selling a longtime family home, moving up, or downsizing, you deserve to work with someone who makes you feel informed and confident throughout the process.

If you're considering buying or selling in Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, or throughout Oakland County, I'd be happy to answer these questions—and any others you have—before you decide what's right for you.

Shaun Shaya
REALTOR®

(248) 408-6656
shaun@shaunshaya.com