5 Smart Questions Real Estate Investors Should Ask When Networking
These five networking questions help real estate investors gracefully control conversations, prevent awkwardness, and build authentic connections that lead to opportunity.
Networking Tips
✍️ By Debbie Balfour | WBN News | November 18, 2025 | Click HERE for your FREE Subscription to WBN News and/or to be a Contributor.
When it comes to networking, most people walk in ready to talk about themselves. But the investors and entrepreneurs who walk out with real opportunities? They know how to make others feel like the most important person in the room.
Here’s the secret: control the conversation—without dominating it.
When you guide the discussion through intentional questions, you shift the focus toward the other person. That’s where genuine connection happens. By giving them space to share, you learn what excites them, what challenges them, and where opportunities might overlap. It also instantly removes the awkward “what do I say next?” anxiety that so many people feel when meeting someone new.
These five questions are simple but powerful tools to keep the conversation flowing naturally, while helping you stand out as confident, curious, and memorable:
1. “What inspired you to start your business?”
This question opens the door to their story—the passion, purpose, and motivation behind what they do. People light up when they talk about why they started, and that energy builds instant chemistry.
2. “Who do you love working with the most?”
Instead of asking, “What’s your niche?” this version feels personal and authentic. It helps you understand their ideal clients and who they truly enjoy serving. It also shows genuine interest instead of a hidden agenda.
3. “What’s one thing you’re excited about in your business right now?”
Excitement creates momentum in any conversation. When you ask about their wins or upcoming projects, it fills the dialogue with positive emotion. That emotion helps you become someone they actually want to talk to again.
4. “What’s the biggest challenge you’re working through?”
This is where deeper trust begins. You’re not looking to sell or fix anything—you’re creating space for honesty. People appreciate those who listen without judgment, and that builds credibility faster than any business pitch.
5. “How can I support you or send people your way?”
This is the ultimate credibility builder. It signals that you’re there to contribute, not extract. When you ask this sincerely, it transforms a casual chat into a potential partnership, referral, or friendship.
When you ask great questions, you stay in control of the conversation—without ever monopolizing it. Instead of awkward pauses or surface-level chatter, you create meaningful exchanges that leave a lasting impression.
So next time you walk into a room full of new faces, don’t worry about saying the perfect thing. Just ask, listen, and let curiosity lead the way. That’s how you move from small talk to a real opportunity.
Debbie Balfour | Real Estate Investing Success Coach + Podcast Host
📍 Website: www.DebbieBalfour.com
📧 Email: Debbie@DebbieBalfour.com
🔗 LinkedIn: Debbie Balfour
▶️ YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@DebbieBalfour
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