What should I ask during a house tour?

In order to make the best decision about the home you are thinking about buying, get your agent’s honest opinion about it during the house tour: the good, the bad and the ugly. Here are some questions to get you started.

1. What do you like about the home?

Agents tour homes every day. Pick your agent’s brain for the unique qualities that stand out. But also make sure the home will function in all the ways that will meet your needs.

2. Do you have any concerns?

This is a really important question to ask, especially before you fall in love with the property. Make sure you’re aware of the home’s potential flaws. Does it lack storage space? Will it cost a fortune to heat in the winter? Your agent may notice things you would never have thought of.

3. Is the price right?

To see if the home is fairly priced, your agent will compare the sale price with that of similar homes that have recently sold in the area. They’ll have a good sense of whether or not the home is overpriced, or if the seller might have priced it really low on purpose to create bidding wars.

4. How long has it been on the market?

If it’s a new listing, don’t expect the sellers to strike a bargain with you. But if it’s been sitting on the market for a while, they may be more willing to negotiate their asking price. When a property doesn’t sell right away, many buyers assume there must be something wrong with it. In reality, it may have originally been listed at too high of a price.

5. Are any repairs needed?

Try to see past the beautiful kitchen or amazing backyard; take a close look at the overall condition and age of the home. The sellers will disclose all of the known issues about the home after you’ve reached an agreement on the price and terms of your offer. Sometimes they will disclose these issues in advance, especially if the home has gone back on the market after a home inspection. You’ll want to know if the issues have been fixed or how costly the repairs will be.

It’s easy to fall in love with a home at first sight. It takes a trustworthy real estate agent to point out it’s flaws and tell you when to walk away. RealtyGo Agents are paid a salary, not just commission. That means they’re looking out for your best interests, not an easy sale. If you’re ready to start touring homes, you can get in touch with a ReealtyGo Agent.