You meet a new buyer. You need to know: budget, timeline, pre-approval status, flexibility. But if you fire questions like a checklist, it feels like an interrogation. They get defensive. You get vague answers.
There's a better way. Structure the conversation so it feels like a conversation—and you still get everything you need in about 10 minutes.
Start with the goal, not the form
Open with: "My job is to make sure we're looking at the right homes and that when you find one, you're in a position to move. So I'll ask a few questions that help me do that—nothing we can't adjust later."
You're not grilling them. You're aligning. That frames every question that follows.
The four areas to cover
1. Financial (3 min)
Budget range, cash reserves, financing type, pre-approval status. "What price range are you comfortable with? Are you pre-approved or pre-qualified? Do you have reserves beyond the down payment?"
2. Behavioral (3 min)
Timeline, decision speed, market familiarity. "When do you want to be in a home—next 30 days, 90 days, 6 months? When you see something you like, how quickly do you usually decide?"
3. Flexibility (2 min)
Location, renovation tolerance, must-haves. "How flexible are you on location? Would you consider something that needs work, or do you want turnkey?"
4. Search (2 min)
Beds, baths, non-negotiables. Standard stuff—quick and easy.
What happens when you capture it once
When you run that conversation through a guided onboarding flow, you get one structured intake. No scattered notes. No "I think they said…" The system turns it into a readiness score, close probability, and priority tier—so you know who to call first.
Realtee IQ — One conversation, full clarity.