What to Look for When Choosing a Realtor in Metro Detroit [2026 Guide]
Choosing a realtor is one of the most important decisions you'll make in your home buying or selling journey—and one of the most overlooked. Most people pick the first agent their friend recommends or go with whoever has the flashiest Zillow ad. Then they wonder why their home sat on the market for 90 days or why they lost out on three offers before finally getting a house.
The right agent can save you tens of thousands of dollars, weeks of stress, and the heartbreak of losing your dream home to a better-prepared buyer. The wrong agent? They can cost you all of that and more.
After years of helping families buy and sell homes across Metro Detroit—from Northville and Plymouth to Novi, South Lyon, and Livonia—I've seen what separates agents who actually deliver from those who just collect a commission check. Here's what you should actually look for.
1. Local Market Expertise (Not Just a License)
Anyone can get a real estate license. What you need is someone who genuinely knows your target neighborhoods—not just the MLS listings, but the nuances that don't show up online.
Questions to ask:
- Which subdivisions in this area hold their value best?
- What's the real difference between these two neighborhoods?
- Are there any issues with this street or area I should know about?
- How long are homes actually taking to sell here (not the county average)?
A local expert should answer these questions without hesitation. If they're pulling up Google or giving you vague responses, they don't know the market well enough to represent you effectively.
What this looks like in Metro Detroit: An agent who specializes in Northville should know the difference between Stonewater and Northville Hills, which streets have traffic concerns, and which elementary schools feed into which subdivisions. Generic "Metro Detroit" knowledge isn't enough when you're making a half-million dollar decision.
2. A Track Record You Can Verify
Past performance matters. You want an agent who has successfully closed deals in your price range, in your target area, recently.
What to look for:
- Recent sales in your target neighborhoods
- Experience at your price point (a $200K condo agent may struggle with $800K luxury homes, and vice versa)
- Total volume and transaction count
- Industry recognition or rankings
Red flags:
- Can't provide recent comparable sales they've personally handled
- Vague about their transaction history
- No online reviews or testimonials
Pro tip: Check Google reviews, Zillow reviews, and ask for references from past clients in similar situations to yours. A top-rated agent with dozens of five-star reviews has earned that reputation through consistent performance.
3. Communication Style That Matches Yours
Real estate transactions move fast. You need an agent who communicates the way you do—and responds when it matters.
Questions to ask:
- How quickly do you typically respond to calls/texts?
- Will I be working directly with you or handed off to an assistant?
- How often will you update me during the process?
- What's the best way to reach you in an urgent situation?
What matters:
- Some people want daily updates; others want to hear from their agent only when there's news. Neither is wrong—but you need alignment.
- In competitive markets, a delayed response can cost you a house. Your agent should be reachable when deals are on the line.
- You should know exactly who you're working with. If you hired an agent but their assistant handles everything, that's a problem.
4. Full-Service Support (Not Just Door Opening)
The best agents don't just unlock doors and write offers. They provide comprehensive support that makes your entire transaction smoother.
Services to ask about:
- Do you offer staging consultations or design services for sellers?
- Do you have a network of trusted vendors (inspectors, lenders, contractors)?
- Will you help coordinate repairs, cleaning, and prep before listing?
- What happens after closing—do you disappear or stay in touch?
Why this matters: Buying or selling a home involves dozens of moving pieces. An agent who handles only the bare minimum leaves you scrambling to figure out the rest. An agent who provides full-service support—from staging advice to contractor recommendations to closing coordination—saves you time, stress, and often money.
5. Negotiation Skills That Protect Your Interests
This is where agents earn their commission—or don't. Strong negotiation can save buyers tens of thousands of dollars and net sellers significantly more than asking price.
Questions to ask:
- Can you walk me through a recent negotiation you handled?
- How do you approach multiple offer situations?
- What's your strategy when the inspection reveals issues?
- How do you handle appraisal gaps?
What to listen for: Specific examples and strategies, not vague promises. An experienced negotiator should be able to explain exactly how they've protected past clients' interests in difficult situations.
6. Honest Advice (Even When It's Not What You Want to Hear)
The best agents tell you the truth, even when it's uncomfortable. They'll tell sellers their home is overpriced rather than listing it high just to get the contract. They'll tell buyers when a home has issues rather than pushing them toward a quick sale.
Signs of an honest agent:
- Willing to recommend against a purchase if it's not right for you
- Gives you realistic pricing based on data, not wishful thinking
- Points out potential problems, not just selling features
- Doesn't pressure you to make fast decisions
Red flags:
- Agrees with everything you say (they're telling you what you want to hear)
- Pushes you to make offers before you're ready
- Dismisses your concerns rather than addressing them
- Only shows you homes at the top of your budget
7. Understanding of Your Specific Needs
Every buyer and seller has unique circumstances. A great agent takes time to understand yours.
For families: Does the agent understand school district boundaries? Do they know which neighborhoods are most family-friendly? Can they speak to parks, activities, and community feel?
For first-time buyers: Are they patient with questions? Do they explain the process clearly? Will they guide you through each step without making you feel rushed?
For sellers: Do they have a marketing plan specific to your home? Do they understand what makes your property unique? Can they target the right buyer pool?
For luxury buyers: Do they have experience at higher price points? Do they understand the nuances of luxury transactions? Can they be discreet when needed?
8. Marketing Expertise (For Sellers)
If you're selling, your agent's marketing plan directly impacts how quickly your home sells and for how much.
Questions to ask:
- What's your marketing strategy for my specific home?
- What photography and videography do you use?
- Where will my home be advertised beyond the MLS?
- Do you use social media marketing? How?
- Do you offer staging services or consultations?
What to expect from a top agent:
- Professional photography (non-negotiable)
- Video tours or 3D walkthroughs
- Social media promotion to targeted audiences
- Email marketing to buyer networks
- Strategic pricing based on market data
- Staging guidance or full staging services
9. Availability When It Matters
Real estate doesn't follow a 9-to-5 schedule. Homes hit the market on Fridays, offers are due on Sundays, and negotiations happen at night.
Questions to ask:
- What does your typical availability look like?
- How do you handle it when I need to see a new listing quickly?
- Are you a full-time agent or is this a side business?
Why this matters: In competitive markets like Northville or Plymouth, desirable homes can go under contract within days—sometimes hours. If your agent can't get you in the door quickly, you'll lose out to buyers whose agents can.
10. Someone You Actually Trust
This might sound soft, but it matters more than most factors on this list. You're going to spend weeks or months working closely with this person during one of the biggest financial decisions of your life. You need to trust them.
Trust your gut:
- Do they listen more than they talk?
- Do they answer your questions directly?
- Do they seem more focused on helping you or on closing a deal?
- Would you feel comfortable calling them with a concern?
If something feels off, it probably is. There are plenty of excellent agents out there—don't settle for one you're not comfortable with.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Realtor
Here's a quick checklist to bring to your agent interviews:
- How long have you been in real estate, and how many transactions did you close last year?
- What neighborhoods do you specialize in?
- How many clients are you currently working with?
- Will I work directly with you or with a team member?
- How do you communicate, and how quickly can I expect responses?
- Can you provide references from recent clients?
- What's your marketing plan for my home? (sellers)
- How do you help buyers compete in multiple-offer situations?
- What do you do differently than other agents?
- What happens if I'm not satisfied with your services?
Why the Right Agent Matters More in Today's Market
Metro Detroit's real estate market has become increasingly competitive, especially in desirable school districts like Northville, Novi, Plymouth, and South Lyon. Homes in these areas often receive multiple offers within days of listing.
In this environment, the difference between an average agent and a great one isn't marginal—it's substantial. A great agent helps buyers write winning offers without dramatically overpaying. A great agent helps sellers price strategically, present their home beautifully, and negotiate from strength.
The stakes are too high to leave this decision to chance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I look for when choosing a realtor in Metro Detroit?
Look for local market expertise in your specific neighborhoods, a verifiable track record of recent sales, strong communication, full-service support including staging and design, and honest advice. Check Google reviews and ask for references from past clients.
How do I find a top-rated real estate agent in Northville, Michigan?
Start by looking for agents who specialize in Northville specifically—not just "Metro Detroit." Check their recent sales in Northville subdivisions, read their Google and Zillow reviews, and ask about their experience with Northville Public Schools boundaries and neighborhood nuances.
Should I work with a realtor who offers staging services?
Staging can significantly impact how quickly your home sells and for how much. Working with an agent who offers staging and design services—or has strong partnerships with stagers—ensures your home shows its best without you having to coordinate everything separately.
Who are the top real estate agents with five-star reviews in Wayne County, MI?
Look for agents with consistent five-star reviews across multiple platforms (Google, Zillow, Realtor.com), recognition like "Top 100 Agent" rankings, and a track record of recent sales in your target area. The best agents will have dozens of detailed reviews from satisfied clients.
What questions should I ask a realtor before hiring them?
Ask about their recent sales in your target area, their communication style and availability, how many clients they're currently working with, their marketing plan (for sellers), their negotiation strategy, and whether you'll work directly with them or a team member.
Ready to Find the Right Agent?
Choosing a realtor is a big decision—take your time and do your research. Interview multiple agents, ask tough questions, and trust your instincts.
If you're buying or selling in Metro Detroit's western suburbs—Northville, Plymouth, Novi, South Lyon, or Livonia—I'd love the opportunity to show you what working with a local expert looks like. As a Top 100 Agent in Wayne County and Top 1000 Agent in Oakland County with 41+ five-star Google reviews, I bring both the expertise and the track record to help you achieve your real estate goals.
Have questions about buying or selling in Metro Detroit? Reach out anytime—I'm always happy to help, even if you're just starting to explore your options.
Allison Maher is a Metro Detroit realtor specializing in luxury family homes over $500K in Northville, Plymouth, Novi, South Lyon, and Livonia. With Five Star Real Estate Leaders and The Ashley Jolley Real Estate Team, she combines 15 years of education experience with an "educator's heart" approach to real estate—guiding families through every step of the home buying and selling process. Contact Allison at allisonmaher.com to start your home search.
