10 Questions to Ask When Interested in Buying a House

1. Why is the seller moving out?

It’s essential to look into the intentions of the seller. Many people resort to selling their homes for many life changes. Whether it’s a new house they’re interested in,  job relocation, a death in the family, or migrating to a new country, there’s a lot at stake. 

Getting more insight from your real estate broker or agent will let you in on this information to help you determine the span of placing a bid or making an offer on their property. Some sellers are in a hurry to make a sale, while others are patient enough to wait for the right buyer who fits their ideal homeowner.

2. What’s my total budget?

Before making a big move and finding the right house, best to look at your finances first. Getting a more detailed update on how much you can afford will help create a budget and make it more convenient to streamline your preferences with your broker. 

Not to mention, there’s a lot of miscellaneous fees to consider when it comes to homeownership, especially if it’s your first time buying a house. 

When making an offer on a house you really like, it’s essential to show the seller you have the financial means to buy a home. This is usually when a good credit and clean bank record comes to play. Ensure you settle these before making any final arrangements with your broker or the seller.

3. How long has the house been on the market?

When a seller’s home has been on the market for a while, it is easier to convince them of a good deal. This gives buyers more flexibility to negotiate their prices and discuss contingencies better to suit both the buyer and seller’s needs. 

Besides, the worst thing a house on the market can do is languish and go through several price reductions. Thus, making it more ideal to wait for such drops before negotiating terms and other credit-related concerns with the seller.

4. Were there any additions or major renovations?

Every house has gone through a renovation, remodel, or repair somehow, and property records should match up and confirm that if any doubts arise with your seller. 

Ensure you get your broker or seller to disclose which parts of the home were fixed or added after a couple of years. It will help you request original warranties from manufacturers and get better deals when you plan to make any changes of your own. 

Plus, getting a breakdown of the house’s improvement history will help you gauge the seller’s asking price while making extra room for you to reconsider some other homes you’re interested in within the same neighborhood.

5. How much have nearby homes sold for?

If you’re more motivated by the zip code than the property, it’s best to ask your broker how many homes within the neighborhood you’re looking into have been sold. Once you’ve found the house you’re keen on buying, check if the value is higher than others, this should reveal specific reasons you might need to look into. 

As much as people always give away the real estate tip to buy the most expensive house in the less upscale neighborhood, it’s not always the most sound advice when you’re not planning to stay for a long while. Best to coordinate with your broker and the seller for more transparency and a better deal.

6. Is your mortgage broker responsive?

When you want more insight on a property you’re keen on living in, the best go-to person next to the internet should be your broker. If their schedule is not on par with yours and is hard to reach for important queries on terms and credit, the harder it is to close your mortgage. 

Since your mortgage broker is the middleman between your lender and the coordinator of your move, they must be reachable and are persistent in helping you get your needs.

7. Does the house have any potential health or safety hazards that go past home inspection?

Some renovations in certain homes tend to be rushed and could hold potential major hazards. This is often seen in poor paint jobs that used lead paint or radon, or even mold accumulated in the attic over time. 

Some sellers tend to hide these issues well when showing a house, and some inspections can overlook them.

Ensure you do an inspection yourself for better chances of negotiating your price. Plus, this gives you more time to request additional testing since you need to pay for special services they failed to disclose the first time around.

8. What are the neighborhood and neighbors like?

Many neighborhoods may leave a question mark on many buyers. Often, you’re more keen on finding a new house than considering where and who is surrounding the place. Getting a feel of what the neighborhood is like, whether it’s a community or not, is relevant when looking for a home.

Good neighbors would be open to answering your questions and letting you know if the area is pet-friendly, noisy, or quiet on most days of the week. The neighborhood isn’t one you can renovate in a new move. 

So picture yourself living in the area long-term and pinpoint what best meets your needs. This will help plan your next approach with your real estate agent to negotiate terms with the seller better.

9. What do you love most about living here?

One of the good questions to ask when interested in buying a house is the pros of living in the neighborhood. Is it nearby restaurants? How about the yoga studios and gyms, or other shopping malls walking distance from your doorstep. 

Usually, the answers are casual, but you’ll get a better sense of community the more personal it is. This helps in creating a home for new families looking for their first house.

10. What establishments nearby make this neighborhood popular?

If you’re a potential home buyer who’s moving from the city to the suburbs, consider the establishments that make a neighborhood convenient to live in. Look into the schools, hospitals, shopping establishments, supermarkets, and other leisure establishments that help create a well-rounded home and neighborhood for your family.

Conclusion

Be curious about the home you wish to buy; knowing what questions to ask when interested in buying a house is the only way you get value for money for a huge investment. Best to streamline the queries for your broker and the seller before making any offers or decisions. 

It’s an excellent way to create transparency in a huge transaction like a home purchase. This way, negotiations are more open and give the seller and buyer more opportunities to meet halfway than to walk away from a potential sale.

If you want to know some FAQs when selling a house, check out this article.