Why Production Matters When Choosing a Grand Rapids Realtor

Each year, Grand Rapids Magazine publishes its Real Estate All-Stars list, recognizing agents based on production and market activity. I’m proud to be included in the 2026 list, but the bigger point for buyers and sellers is not the recognition itself.

The bigger point is what production actually tells you.

According to Grand Rapids Magazine, the 2026 Real Estate All-Stars list was created in partnership with Professional Research Services through a survey of Grand Rapids brokers and agents. The publication states that the real estate agents included were identified based on sales volume, and that no one can buy their way onto the list.

That matters because when you are choosing a Realtor in Grand Rapids, you are not just hiring someone to open doors, write a listing description, or put a sign in the yard. You are hiring someone to help you make decisions in a market that changes quickly.

Production Is Not Everything, But It Does Tell You Something

Let’s be clear: production alone does not automatically mean an agent is the right fit for every buyer or seller.

You still need someone who communicates well, understands your goals, knows your neighborhood, explains the process clearly, and gives honest advice when the easy answer is not the right answer.

But production does tell you something important.

It tells you that the agent is active in the market. It tells you they are seeing real buyer behavior, real seller decisions, real inspection negotiations, real appraisal issues, and real pricing outcomes. It tells you they are not working from theory alone.

That kind of current experience matters.

Why Active Market Experience Matters for Sellers

If you are selling a home in Grand Rapids, East Grand Rapids, Forest Hills, Ada, or the surrounding West Michigan market, the small decisions often matter more than people realize.

Should you list now or wait two weeks? Should you make repairs before going live? Should you price aggressively or leave room to negotiate? Should you accept the highest offer, or the offer most likely to close?

These are not abstract questions. They affect your timing, your stress level, your negotiating position, and your net proceeds.

An agent who is active in the market is seeing how buyers are reacting right now. That includes what they are overlooking, what they are objecting to, which homes are sitting, which homes are moving quickly, and where sellers are losing leverage.

That is where production can matter. Not because it looks good in a magazine, but because it usually means the agent is having those conversations every week.

Why Active Market Experience Matters for Buyers

For buyers, the same principle applies.

A good buyer’s agent needs to understand more than the list price. They need to know how to evaluate competition, how to structure terms, when to push, when to slow down, and how to protect you from taking on unnecessary risk.

That can include inspection strategy, appraisal risk, financing strength, possession timing, repair concerns, and how to compare homes that look similar online but are very different in person.

In a market like Grand Rapids, the best decision is not always the fastest decision. But buyers still need an agent who can move quickly when the right opportunity appears.

Recognition Should Support Trust, Not Replace It

I appreciate being included in the Grand Rapids Magazine Real Estate All-Stars list. It is meaningful because the list is tied to production and industry research, not paid placement.

But recognition should never replace trust.

If you are hiring a Realtor, you should still ask direct questions:

• How active are you in the current market?
• What types of homes and clients do you work with most often?
• How do you approach pricing and negotiation?
• What problems are you seeing right now in local transactions?
• How will you help me make decisions, not just complete paperwork?

Those answers matter more than any badge or title.

Jason’s Take

I’m grateful for the recognition, but I do not think sellers and buyers should choose an agent based on a list alone.

Use it as one data point.

What matters most is whether your agent is active, prepared, honest, and capable of helping you make good decisions when the transaction gets complicated. Real estate is rarely just about finding a buyer or finding a house. It is about managing the details that determine whether the deal actually works.

That is where experience shows up.

What This Means If You Are Buying or Selling in Grand Rapids

If you are thinking about buying or selling in the Grand Rapids area, choose an agent who can show you more than marketing language.

Look for someone who can explain the local market clearly, talk through real examples, anticipate problems before they become expensive, and help you understand the tradeoffs behind each decision.

Production matters because it can be evidence of real market involvement. But the real value is what that experience does for you when it is time to price, negotiate, inspect, appraise, and close.

If you are considering a move in Grand Rapids, East Grand Rapids, Forest Hills, Ada, or the surrounding West Michigan market, I would be happy to talk through your goals and help you understand what is happening in the market right now.

Related Resource

You can view the 2026 Grand Rapids Magazine Real Estate All-Stars list here.

About the Author

Jason Pohlonski
is a Michigan licensed real estate salesperson specializing in strategic home sales in East Grand Rapids, Forest Hills, Ada, and surrounding West Michigan communities.

Jason began his real estate career in Chicago in 2004, later expanding his experience in Ann Arbor from 2014 to 2019, and has been serving clients in the Grand Rapids area since 2019.

With over 20 years of combined real estate experience across multiple markets, Jason focuses on pricing strategy, negotiation structure, and helping clients make confident decisions during complex transactions.

Jason is recognized by platforms and industry organizations including Zillow, Grand Rapids Magazine Real Estate All-Stars, and Real Producers for his work serving West Michigan buyers and sellers.

Professional Disclosure

Jason Pohlonski
Michigan Licensed Real Estate Salesperson
License Verification: Verify Michigan License #360538118
Brokerage: Keller Williams Grand Rapids East

📱 Call or text: 616-916-9770
📅 Schedule consultation:
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