12 Questions To Ask When Buying A House

If you’re a first-time home buyer, you may have no idea where to start when it comes to asking questions about the condition of a home, especially if you’ve only rented in the past. Don’t worry – you’re definitely not the first to feel that way. There's a lot to keep in mind when you’re buying a house, and even if you’re an experienced home buyer, it can feel intimidating.

Let’s take a look at 12 crucial questions you should ask the seller and your real estate agent when you’re thinking about buying a house.

At A Glance: Questions to Ask Before Buying a Home

1. How Long Has The House Been On The Market?
2. What Is The Neighborhood Like?
3. How Much Do Homes Sell For In The Area?
4. Why Is The Seller Leaving?
5. Are The Major Systems Of The Home In Good Condition?
6. Have There Been Any Additions Or Renovations?
7. Are There Health Or Safety Hazards?
8. How Old Is The Roof?
9. What Is The Monthly Cost Of Utilities?
10. What Appliances Are Included In The Sale?
11. Is The Home A Stigmatized Property?
12. What’s The Risk Of A Natural Disaster?

1. How Long Has The House Been On The Market?

You can often find this information on listings, but your real estate agent will be able to give you the most exact date. For some people, a house that has been on the market for a long time sends up red flags, because it might seem like there’s something wrong with it or the seller is unwilling to drop a too-high asking price.

If you like the house, a long listing time can be to your advantage. Sellers will be more likely to negotiate the longer they’ve been waiting to make the sale, so you may be able to get the house for less than the asking price.

2. What Is The Neighborhood Like?

Does the community have restrictions or a homeowners association (HOA)? Knowing the rules of the neighborhood you might be moving into is critical. Suppose you’re looking forward to building a treehouse in your backyard, only to move in and find out there are community rules against it. You’ll want to take a close look at restrictions like this before making a final decision.

You’ll also want to research the neighborhood at large, considering things such as local schools, public transportation, crime rates and proximity to necessities.

3. How Much Do Homes Sell For In The Area?

Ask your real estate agent how much other homes in the neighborhood have sold for. Hopefully, they’ll be familiar with the market and can tell you right away whether the house you’re looking at is priced appropriately. You should also try to find out how much the house sold for previously. If the seller stands to make a large profit based on the current asking price, you’ll have a lot more room to negotiate.

4. Why Is The Seller Leaving?

Asking the seller why they're leaving can yield a few useful pieces of information. On one hand, the seller isn’t obligated to be honest about their motivations, but you might be able to glean something from a response by paying close attention. Your real estate agent can also dig in and try to get this information for you.

Anything you find out here will be important. If the seller is dissatisfied with something about the house, you might be able to spot a deal breaker before closing, and if the seller has a pressing reason for leaving, you might be able to negotiate for a better price.

5. Are The Major Systems Of The Home In Good Condition?

If systems like the water heater, washers, faucets and HVAC are old, you’ll want to know early on so you can factor in the cost of replacement when looking at the asking price. Ask how old they are, and see if the equipment or past services remain under warranty.

6. Have There Been Any Additions Or Renovations?

A history of recent renovations can help you understand what in the house is new, what’s old and what is most likely to break down or need repairs. You should also be sure to ask about home warranties, which could save you cash should a problem arise.

Also, make sure that any additions or renovations were completed to code. You may be able to do this simply by asking to see the certificate of occupancy for the addition or renovation.

7. Are There Health Or Safety Hazards?

Your seller must disclose information about problems with the house that they’re aware of, but make sure you get the full picture. If they have documentation about any past issues, ask to take a look at it.

Keep an eye out for culprits like lead paint and radon that can pose serious health risks if left unaddressed. Sellers of homes built before 1978 might be required to fill out a lead-based paint disclosure.

8. How Old Is The Roof?

A roof is a major expense and it’s critical to consider how much it will cost you on top of your down payment and closing costs if it’s old and needs repairs. You may be able to get the asking price reduced or have the seller repair the roof as a contingency to the sale.

9. What Is The Monthly Cost Of Utilities?

The ongoing