Questions To Ask Before Buying A House
Buying a house is a big decision, and it requires a lot of thought and care. After all, it’s expensive and stressful, and can affect your life for a long time. That’s why you must know the right question to ask before buying a house.
Ideally, you should ask for maintenance records and information about the home’s age and building materials. This can highlight how soon key features, like the HVAC system, must be replaced, which is quite expensive. It’s also important to ask about what life is like in that neighborhood and compare the cost to nearby homes.
It’s not worth negotiating with a buyer selling a home for much more than similarly sized homes in the same neighborhood. Follow along as we highlight some important questions to ask before buying a house.
What To Ask Before You Buy A House
1. How Old Is The House?
The age of a house has a big impact on everything in and around it. For example, a house that was built 80 years ago may have some features that were constructed following outdated building codes. Older homes sometimes have banned and dangerous substances, like asbestos and lead.
The wiring, HVAC and plumbing systems may also need a lot of work if the house is old and and hasn't been updated. You will also likely need to pay higher insurance rates if the house you plan to buy a house is over 30-40 years old. Some potential buyers tell their realtors that they only want to look at relatively new houses. This can ensure that in most cases, you’re dealing with houses made following modern building codes. If the house is old, it’s important to ask what the seller has done to modernize it, especially if dangerous materials were once present.
2. What Repairs Are Needed?
Nobody wants to find out that the house they bought needs a lot of repairs. Inspections usually catch necessary repairs, but some things slip through the cracks during inspections. It’s up to you to ask about what shape the house is in and see what repairs it needs. If the seller says things that contradict the results of the inspection, you may take that as a red flag. Granted, that doesn’t mean the seller is being dishonest with you. After all, many homeowners don’t know about the underlying problems in their home.
However, a simple conversation can help gauge what type of shape the house is in. It’s also a good idea to ask about any previous insurance claims. That way, you’ll know what happened and learn whether or not the necessary repairs were made. Sellers are required to disclose such information, but it doesn’t always happen.
3. What Is The Area Like?
The area around the home you’re interested in is just as important as the house itself. That’s why it’s worth asking the buyer, realtor, and your favorite search engine what the neighborhood is like. It’s a good idea to research crime rates, local stores, schools, hospitals, and more. Not only will this reveal if the area is convenient and safe, but it will also help you picture yourself there. If the information you find contradicts what the seller says, you may lose trust in them. It’s always important to take matters into your own hands and do some research.
4. How Old Is The HVAC System?
No home is complete without a great, efficient HVAC system. Like everything else in a house, an HVAC system needs lots of consistent maintenance to run well. Similarly, air conditioners, furnaces, and boilers eventually go bad with time. That’s why you must ask how old each of these key parts of the HVAC system is. Buying a house with a 15-year-old AC means that you must replace it soon. In that case, it’s worth seeing if the seller is willing to replace the AC system before selling the house.
While a water heater isn’t technically part of the HVAC system, you should ask about that as well. Ideally, the seller should be able to provide proof of when each HVAC appliance was installed. If the HVAC system is out of whack, you may need to pass on the house.
5. How Long Has It Been On The Market?
The housing market is tricky, and sometimes, houses remain for sale for a long time. This can happen due to the time of year, the economy, or market trends. There are many reasons a house won’t sell, and it’s important to figure out why the house you’re looking at is still on the market.
It may be something innocent, like the fact that it’s currently a barren market. However, it may be due to difficult negotiations and an unwillingness to meet buyers’ needs. Your realtor can help you figure this out, as they often work with difficult sellers If the seller is reasonable, you may get them to reduce the price due to how long the house has been listed. This is quite common, and in some cases, it can help you save thousands of dollars.
6. What Is The Timeline?
Motivated sellers often want to sell their homes as quickly as possible. This can benefit some buyers, but it may not benefit you, especially if you don’t know the seller is in a hurry. You can clear things up with a simple conversation and ask what timeline they’re on. For example, rushed sellers are unlikely to negotiate with you, and that can cause issues. They may shoot all your questions and concerns down in an effort to expedite the process. However, you may also be in a rush, so that may suit your interests well.
7. How Much Do Comparable Houses Sell For?
You should never consider a house until you know how much comparable houses in the neighborhood sell for. This is quite easy, as you can quickly research houses in the same neighborhood or town. Of course, you must also look at houses with the same square footage and similar amenities.
You can tell something is fishy if the house you’re looking at is priced significantly higher than similar homes. A great realtor can talk a seller down, but that’s not always worth it. That’s because a price reduction on an exorbitantly priced home may still be too expensive. Ideally, you should establish a budget and tailor your search around it. That way, you won’t set yourself up for disastrous, unproductive negotiations.
8. Do You Have Maintenance Records?
Even if the home’s appliances and systems are in good shape, it’s important to know the service history. That way, you will know when it’s time to service your new furnace, AC, or boiler. It can also help you decide between repairing or replacing something like a heat pump or water heater.
For example, it’s worth repairing relatively young appliances, but it’s better to replace old systems. That way, you won’t waste time and money repairing something that only has 2-3 years left of good use. Maintenance records can also help you find the best people to repair your appliances, especially if you’re new to the area.
Summing It Up
It’s important to ask how old a house is and how recently all the systems have been maintained or updated. You must also figure out the seller’s timeline, so you can plan your negotiations around it. Make a list of questions regarding the neighborhood, property taxes, insurance rates, electrical, and plumbing systems.
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Nick Durante is a professional writer with a primary focus on home improvement. When he is not writing about home improvement or taking on projects around the house, he likes to read and create art. He is always looking towards the newest trends in home improvement.
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