Jacob Davis

The best advice I can give any buyer is to get really clear on your numbers early and make sure you’re working with people you trust. Talk to a good local lender, understand what you’re comfortable spending each month, and don’t skip the pre-approval step - it makes everything easier once you find the right place. From there, lean on your agent. A solid agent should help you understand the neighborhood, spot issues you might miss, and give you honest guidance so you’re not second-guessing every step. There’s no such thing as a dumb question in this process, and you should never feel rushed or pressured. Buying a home is a big deal, and it should feel exciting, not overwhelming. With the right preparation and the right team behind you, you’ll be able to make smart decisions and move forward with confidence.

or sellers, the most important thing is to get ahead of the details before you hit the market. A little bit of prep goes a long way - things like decluttering, fresh paint, tightening up loose ends, and addressing small repairs can make a big difference in how buyers perceive your home. I also always tell sellers to have an honest conversation about pricing. The market changes constantly, and the right price upfront will bring more interest, more showings, and often stronger offers. A good agent should walk you through the data, explain the strategy, and help you understand how buyers in your specific area make decisions. Finally, make sure you’re working with someone who communicates well. Selling a home comes with a lot of moving parts, and you should always feel informed and supported. The more aligned you are with your agent, the smoother (and more profitable) the entire experience will be.

’ve had the opportunity to work with a wide range of clients and an equally wide mix of housing styles. I started my career in Marshall, MI at my family’s brokerage, where I sold everything from historic homes to country properties with acreage to newer construction. I also worked in Albion — where I went to school — which gave me a lot of experience helping first-time buyers and working in more affordable price ranges. From there, I moved to Grosse Pointe after being offered an opportunity based on the early success I had as a new agent. My production and track record opened doors that aren’t usually available to agents that early in their career, and I also wanted the chance to get out of my small hometown, experience a bigger market, and expand my skill set. Grosse Pointe’s housing stock is incredibly diverse and has given me experience with just about every architectural style: classic 1920s and 1930s colonials, Tudors, Cape Cods, mid-century homes, lakefront estates, and everything in between. Many of these homes have older mechanicals, unique construction quirks, and historical features, so working here really sharpened my eye for inspections, structural issues, and valuation. Because of all that, I’m comfortable working with buyers and sellers at any price point — from entry-level homes to luxury properties — and advising on everything from renovations to resale strategy to long-term value.

One of my favorite recent transactions was helping a young couple buy and sell in Grosse Pointe Park. They had been gifted the wife’s family home and were living there with their kids, but the property needed quite a bit of work. They’d previously listed it with another agent and didn’t get the traction or results they hoped for. When I met with them, I walked the house and gave them a realistic plan for what improvements would actually move the needle — simple clean-up, targeted repairs, and a few strategic updates. They trusted the process, made the changes, and ended up selling for significantly more than what it had been listed for before, far exceeding the cost of the work they invested. What made the experience even more meaningful was their “why.” They loved the home’s history but wanted a fresh start — a place to build their own traditions and raise their kids in the way that felt true to their family. Helping them close that chapter and move into the next one was incredibly rewarding. And in a funny twist — during the listing appointment, they had an old project car sitting in the garage. I casually mentioned that if they ever wanted to part with it to declutter before showings, I’d be interested. At closing, after everything went smoothly, they surprised me by gifting me the car as a thank-you for the work I did. It was one of those moments that really reminds you how personal this business can be.

After graduating from Albion College, I didn’t have a clear picture of what I wanted to do next. My family has deep roots in real estate — my grandmother, Rosemary Davis, who has since passed, owned and ran a brokerage in Marshall, MI — so I figured I’d get my license. At the very least, I thought I’d save some commission when I eventually bought a house. I ended up jumping in headfirst. With a lot of hard work, a steady cold-calling strategy, and my family’s mentorship, I found success early on. One of the unexpected gifts was getting to spend that time working alongside my grandma right before she retired. Watching her work, learning her approach, and seeing how she cared for people was a huge influence on me. The early momentum opened a door I never expected: I was offered an opportunity to move to Grosse Pointe and sell there based on the track record I built so quickly. I wanted to push myself, get out of my small hometown, and experience a more competitive market — so I took the leap. That move shaped the rest of my career and eventually led me to the relocation side of the business, where I still get to help people navigate big moves and big moments every day.

Yes — both my formal education and my professional training directly support the work I do with buyers, sellers, and relocation clients. I earned my degree from Albion College with a dual major in Business & Organizations and Public Policy, and I was part of two honors institutes/programs there focused on leadership and real-world problem-solving. That background gave me a strong foundation in negotiation, communication, and navigating complex processes — all skills that translate directly into real estate. Beyond that, most of my career has been spent in roles that require advanced training in relocation, referral management, and corporate mobility. As the Director of Corporate Services & Relocation for HRC Realty, I work daily with national relocation management companies, corporate clients, and high-volume referral networks. That experience gives my clients a major advantage, because I understand the entire ecosystem — not just the buying and selling side, but also timelines, policies, and behind-the-scenes requirements that many agents never get exposure to. I’ve also completed extensive training in broker-to-broker referrals, BMA/BPO preparation, eLeads conversion, and best practices for working with transferees. Because I train our relocation agents and oversee more than $200M in annual referral business, I’m able to guide clients with a level of insight and structure that comes from seeing hundreds of unique situations play out each year. Whether someone is buying their first home, selling a long-time family property, or relocating across the country, that combination of education and hands-on training allows me to simplify the process and help them make confident, informed decisions.