Questions Buyers Should Ask a Real Estate Agent — And How I Answer Them

Dec 3

Whether you’re a first-time buyer, upsizing, investing, or relocating from out of state, these are the questions you should be asking any agent you consider working with. Below are those questions—plus my answers—so you can see exactly how Haley Levine & Partners at Compass operates.

1) How many homes have you sold in the last 12–24 months?

Why it matters:
This tells you if an agent is truly active in today’s market—and whether real estate is a side gig or a full-time profession.

My answer:
Each year, I personally help 24–30 buyers and sellers, representing over $10M in sales volume annually. Over time, this has added up to $100M+ in closed sales and recognition as a consistent Top Producer at the Chicago Association of REALTORS (2018–2024) with Compass, the #1 brokerage in the U.S. Haley Levine & Partners

But here’s what’s really important:
Sometimes more production is not better for the client. You’ll see agents in the area doing hundreds of transactions and hundreds of millions in volume each year—but in most of those cases, you are not working with that “top” agent personally. You’re working with one of their 10–20 junior agents, while the team leader oversees from a distance.

With Haley Levine & Partners, it’s different.

There is only one other licensed agent on my team.
The rest of the team is supportive administrative and transaction staff.
When you hire Haley Levine & Partners, you are working directly with me—not being passed off to someone new and unseasoned.

I’m in the sweet spot: enough volume to be highly skilled, but small enough that your purchase actually matters to me personally.

2) Can I have the contact information for a few of your recent clients?

Why it matters:
Anyone can say they’re great. Past clients will tell you what the experience is really like.

My answer:
Yes—happily. I’m glad to connect you with recent buyers and sellers I’ve worked with!

You can also read reviews on Zillow, Google, LinkedIN and here on my website (haleylevine.com), where clients consistently mention feeling educated, supported, and never pressured. Many have bought or sold with me multiple times as their lives, families, and needs have evolved. My business is built heavily on referrals and long-term relationships, not one-time transactions.

3) Are you familiar with our area?

Why it matters:
You’re not just buying a house—you’re buying into a neighborhood, school district, commute, and lifestyle.

My answer:
Yes. I’m a lifelong Chicagoan with deep roots in both the city of Chicago and the North Shore. I grew up in Hyde Park, moved to Wilmette and graduated from New Trier, and have lived in neighborhoods like West Town, Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Logan Square, Ravenswood Manor, and now the North Shore.

I specialize in:

Chicago (north and Northwest side), Winnetka, Glencoe, Wilmette, Evanston, Glenview, Northfield, Highland Park, and other North Shore communities
City–to–North Shore moves
Out-of-state relocations who need a local “insider”

My approach is very hands-on and personal. I don’t just send listings and meet you at the door—I:

Drive you around the neighborhoods
Talk through schools, parks, beaches, and commutes
Point out restaurants, coffee shops, and local businesses
Share insights on family activities, community feel, and block-by-block nuance

Whether you’re local or relocating from another state, I’m not just selling you a house—I’m guiding you into a community and sharing invaluable neighborhood information you simply can’t get from online listings.

4) What sets you apart from other agents?

Why it matters:
You want more than a door-opener. You want strategy, access, guidance, and honesty.

My answer:

Compass network & Private Exclusives: creating inventory in low-inventory markets

Most agents can only show you what’s on the public market. At Compass, I can also tap into:

Compass Private Exclusives (off-market listings shared within Compass)
Coming Soon inventory
Agent-only networks like Top Agent Network
My own relationships with other top Compass and North Shore agents

This often means seeing homes before they hit Zillow or Redfin, which can be a huge competitive advantage.

Renovation & design expertise that builds equity

I studied design at Columbia College and have personally completed multiple major renovations—including converting a former hair salon into a live-work loft, revamping a classic bungalow, and restoring a 1920s Tudor. Haley Levine & Partners+1

That experience allows me to:

Help you evaluate renovation potential
Distinguish between cosmetic and structural issues
Estimate rough cost ranges for common projects
Guide you toward improvements that build equity
Be very candid when a project is too big or too risky for you

I will just as honestly tell you, “This is a smart project” as I will, “This might be more than it’s worth.”

Hyper-local expertise + personal touch

I combine:

Hard data (comps, days on market, absorption rates)
On-the-ground experience (touring, selling, and living here)
A truly personal, concierge-style approach

You’re going to feel guided—not rushed. Educated—not overwhelmed. Heard—not sold to.

5) Do you work with first-time home buyers?

Why it matters:
The process has many steps; you want someone who will educate, not roll their eyes at your questions.

My answer:
Yes. A large portion of my business is first-time buyers, and I actually offer a free “How to Buy a Home” course and resources through my website. Haley Levine & Partners

I walk through:

Financing and pre-approval
Contract terms and timelines
Inspection expectations
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
How to think about equity and long-term wealth

But this isn’t only who I serve. I also work with:

Move-up buyers
Luxury and North Shore buyers
Out-of-state relocations
Investors and second-home buyers

Wherever you are in your journey, I’m going to make sure you understand the “why” behind each decision.

6) How do you communicate with your clients?

Why it matters:
You need someone who is responsive and communicates the way you prefer.

My answer:
You’ll have my direct cell and you can text, call, or email me anytime. I’ll also ask your preference:

Fast text updates?
Scheduled weekly calls?
Detailed emails?

Once you’re under contract, my transaction coordinator and administrative team join in behind the scenes so nothing gets missed—but I remain your main point of contact throughout.

7) What does the market look like in my neighborhood?

Why it matters:
Real estate is hyper-local. National headlines are almost meaningless when it comes to one specific neighborhood, price point, and property type.

My answer:
I provide micro-market reports tailored to you:

Your price range
Your property type (condo vs single family, etc.)
Your exact neighborhood or suburb

I pull Compass data, recent sales, off-market activity, absorption rates, and trends to help us decide when to move, how aggressively to offer, and how to structure contingencies.

If you ask me for stats, I’m thrilled—I love this part.

8) How will you represent us?

Why it matters:
You need to know who’s actually doing the work—and how involved they’ll be.

My answer:
When you work with Haley Levine & Partners, you’re working with me, Haley:

I handle strategy, pricing, and negotiations personally.
I’ll walk you through the entire buying process before we even start touring.
My showing support and admin team exist to make sure you never miss a home and your transaction is smooth—but they do not replace me.

I’ve intentionally kept the team structure lean:

One other licensed agent who supports showings when needed
The rest of the team is transaction & administrative support

You are not being handed to a junior agent to negotiate one of the biggest purchases of your life. You get the benefit of a professional team and the attention of the seasoned agent you actually hired.