Questions To Ask The Seller When Buying a House
June 28, 2021
You certainly don’t want to make any costly mistakes when buying a home. The best way to avoid making a mistake is by getting as much information as you can from the seller. A real estate agent will be able to provide almost all of the basic information you need to know about the property like the square footage, the number of bedrooms, amenities included, and so on.
However, you should always ask the seller’s agent a few important questions directly before making an offer. Here are a few questions you should ask about the property when buying a house.
6 Questions To Ask When Buying a House
1. Ask About Why They Are Selling
Whether you are relocating for a job, moving to a new home, or retiring, people move into a new house for different reasons. You should ask the seller why they are selling the property because their answer might help you get a better deal.
For instance, in scenarios like job relocation or the death of a loved one, people are in dire need to sell their homes quickly. The rushed sale means that those sellers will be more likely to settle for a competitive offer, depending on your negotiation skills. Of course, that’s not going to be the case with every home but you never know.
Most sellers are willing to negotiate when their property has been on the market for a long time. Hence, your chances of getting a better deal increase in such circumstances.
2. What was the Home’s Purchase Price When It Was Sold To You?
You can get a better idea of how the housing market fares in the neighborhood by knowing the price at which the current owner bought the home. Therefore, it is one of the most important questions to ask the homeowner. It may also help you in negotiating a better price.
For instance, if the seller bought the home at a rock bottom price, they might be willing to bring down their asking price a little while still making a reasonable profit.
Just in case, you are unable to get the information from the homeowner, you can always check the public records available at the Register of deeds.
3. What is the Neighborhood and Local Schools Like?
Traffic congestion, speeding on roads, crime rates, community rules, and good schools; only the current homeowner will be able to give you holistic insight into these topics. Although you might not get thorough answers, you can still get a pretty good idea of the common problems that you might have to face in case you buy the property.
Besides relying on the seller’s information, you can also use the various online resources to learn about crime rates in the neighborhood like FBI Crime Data Explorer or CityProtect.com
4. How Old Are The Appliances and Major Systems of the House?
Knowing the age of the components of the house will let you know the health of the overall property. For instance, an asphalt roof has a lifespan of 15-20 years. If the roof of the home you are buying is already that old, then you are already looking at one major expense in the near future.
Similarly, the lifespan of the heating, cooling, septic, and plumbing systems are also important to ask about.
5. Ask About Any Past Major Repairs or Renovations With The House
Don’t forget to ask whether there have been any past repairs or major renovations done in the house. Past issues aren’t always relevant to the present condition of the home but they may indicate what can go wrong in the future.
For example, a past water heater repair may have been done but that does not mean that the water heater will need to be repaired again soon. At the same time, problems with the house that comes from natural disasters are evidence that the location may be prone to intense weather events.
6. What is the Homeowner’s Favorite Aspect About The Property?
Asking this is one of the best ways to get the seller talking about the property. Emotions do get attached when you have lived in a home for some time, and that’s when you might get to learn about the community amenities, school district, and any other great qualities about your potential new house.
Looking To Buy a Home? Then You’ll Want To Work With a Negotiator
Navigating the complex world of real estate and closing costs along with the nuanced search for your dream home can be confusing. It’s invaluable to have someone on your side who can simplify the real estate industry with their expertise and can help you find the right property.
The Negotiators is a new type of real estate agent organization that streamlines your search for an agent who earns every cent of their commission. Negotiators are handpicked from amongst the top real estate agents in the country that have all proven their ability to go above and beyond for their clients. They can also be a great resource for new buyers to ask any questions about the home-buying process.
By hiring a Negotiator, you’ll have someone on your side who has a wealth of experience to use when looking for the right property for you, creating a competitive offer, and any of the state’s laws that you should be aware of.
Contact your local Negotiator if you want to work with a great real estate agent.