Are we doing everything we can to prepare and educate our buyers for the home buying process?  Are we asking the right questions during our interview process? 

 How far should we be going in this process?  Do we really know exactly what they are looking for?  There have been agents starting with nothing more than the number of bedrooms and the price range.  How disastrous can that be?  I don't believe you can have too much information about your clients' needs and the difference between those needs and what they may want.  Sometimes needs and wants are not compatible.

Do you ask what their last home was like?  What did they like or dislike about that property? 

 Do you feel it is appropriate to delve a little deeper into their financial situation?  I can't stress this enough.  It can save you a lot of time and avoid enormous amounts of aggravation if you have a clear picture of what they can afford.

 It's a terrible situation to find yourself in when you start showing properties without having a clear picture of what they can afford.  Then later having to start showing them properties less expensive.

 Neither should they be spending themselves into a "house poor" situation.  If they do have you done your job to service your client?

 The buyers' interview could be loosely compared to a doctor asking questions to reach a diagnosis.  You have to know enough to make sure you are headed in the right direction.  Agents need to work on the questions that will make the diagnosis as sure as possible.  Even then we can be hit with surprises, but at least we will be closer to the cure than we would have been with only knowing the price range and number of bedrooms.

 YOU TOO ARE A PROFESSIONAL.  Doesn't your client deserve the best care you can possibly give?  I would love to hear how you might handle buyer interviews.