Buying or selling a home can be stressful, but try negotiating with a three-year-old while also closing deals on multi-million-dollar homes. That’s a typical day for Ming, Mill Creek’s real estate expert who turns high-stakes decisions into seamless and enjoyable experiences. Ming lives in Mill Creek with her husband, their energetic three-year-old son, and her wonderful mom, who helps keep the household running smoothly and provides childcare support. The family has called Mill Creek home since 2020, after a short stint in downtown Seattle. One of Ming’s favorite aspects of the community is taking family walks through the neighborhood and exploring the nearby nature preserve, soaking in both the warmth of the community and the beauty of the outdoors.

With a background in crisis counseling, luxury sales, and business development, Ming often jokes she’s a part-time crisis counselor and full-time negotiator. Whether it’s a toddler demanding snacks or a buyer navigating a multiple-offer situation, Ming knows how to read emotions, decode priorities, and guide clients through high-stakes decisions, keeping everyone’s sanity intact while making sure the deals get done. “Sometimes negotiating with a three-year-old is harder than negotiating a real estate contract,” she laughs.

Ming is well-versed in Mandarin and Vietnamese, which allows her to connect with a diverse range of professionals and clients and make them feel at home in the real estate process. Her language skills, combined with her background in high-value client service, give her a unique edge in understanding her clients’ needs, building trust, and ensuring smooth, transparent transactions.

Professionally, Ming is part of The Caliber Group at Compass, the #1 brokerage in the country by total sales volume, specializing in residential and investment properties. Using innovative tools like Compass One, she keeps all documents, search history, notes, deadlines, and next steps in one place. This transparency ensures clients know exactly where they are in the buying or selling process with no guesswork and no confusion. Ming intentionally limits her client roster to provide personalized attention and thoughtful guidance for every transaction, whether it’s a first home, luxury property, or strategic investment.

Over the years, Ming has noticed that even smart, successful people sometimes make poor real estate decisions or settle for subpar service. That’s why she approaches each client relationship with dedication, clarity, and care. Her goal is to make the process seamless and enjoyable, so families can focus on what matters most rather than stressing over paperwork and logistics. Selling or buying a home requires preparation, and Ming encourages clients to be proactive. “Interview at least three agents. Ask for data and embrace technology. And don’t underestimate the packing,” she says. She even brings clients boxes, and sometimes chocolate, to ease the stress of moving. She recommends packing 7–10 boxes per week. “Small, consistent steps make the whole journey more manageable and, occasionally, fun,” she adds with a grin.

Outside of real estate, Ming has a range of hobbies and ambitions. She’s working on perfecting her tennis swing in preparation for matches, enjoys painting, and hopes to produce enough work for a solo show in 2–3 years. Locally, she’s active in the tennis club, organizes playdates with local moms, and recently met with Mill Creek’s city manager to see how she can contribute even more to the community she loves.

Ming’s first clients came through her very first solo open house. She helped them sell their old home and buy a new one, and the experience reinforced her passion for helping families make smart, confident real estate decisions. She describes the industry as humbling and rewarding: “No matter how much guidance I provide, ultimately my role is to serve my clients. The decision to write an offer or list a home is theirs and helping them navigate that journey is the most fulfilling part of my work.”

This year, Ming aims to help at least five clients achieve their real estate goals and is excited to expand into the luxury market. Whether negotiating deals, toddlers, or occasionally tricky transactions, Ming Zhou brings heart, humor, and expertise to every corner of her work. She proves that buying or selling a home doesn’t have to be stressful. It can be smart, fun, and even a little entertaining.

Instagram: @MingZhouHomes

Website: MingZhouHomes.com

Phone: (626) 833-9541