Buying your first home can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re not sure what to expect. It’s a big investment and there’s a lot to consider along the way. Asking the right questions early on will help you become more confident, informed and prepared at every step.
To guide you through this process, this Redfin article offers 70 important questions to ask when purchasing a home.
Questions to ask when buying a house
10 questions to ask before you begin your home viewing journey
You know, buying a house is a big investment. Before you start hunting your home, consider your homeownership goals. Why do you want to buy a house? What is your budget and how much can you afford?
Do you want to own a home, earn fairness and build wealth? Do you think you might need more space for your future family? Do you have a pet in your future or look at it, do you want a backyard? Do you want to live in a quiet, established area or are you more alive? Do you like gardening and gardening? How much backyard space do you need? Have you considered a local school or a neighbourhood? Is it essential that you live near your work? Or is it okay to commute? Have you narrowed down the range of purchase prices you can afford? How much money do I need for a down payment? Are you pre-approved for a mortgage?
When it comes to house hunting, it’s easy to overlook important questions such as whether the condo will allow pets or whether a trendy neighborhood will meet your needs in a few years. Thinking ahead about your lifestyle and priorities will help you narrow down your search. Also, maintain pre-approval of your mortgage. It makes sure you are a serious buyer and with recent rate drops, updating it could potentially increase your purchasing power in a competitive market.
Seven questions to ask when interviewing an agent
Contacting an agent listed on the selling signs of your home of interest may not be the best way to protect your interest as a buyer. When you work with your own agent, the agent’s job is to express your interests. They will help you study your home, find answers to all your questions, and serve as your professional intermediary to communicate with the seller’s agent and homeowner.
Naturally, you will want to choose a great real estate agent you are happy with and feel that they have your biggest interest in mind. Most real estate professionals recommend identifying at least three agents identified by recommendations from friends and family who recently bought and sold their homes, or highly rated agents who serve the area of interest.
How long have you become a real estate agent? What experience have you had in this particular market/area? Do you usually work with buyers and sellers? How do you normally communicate with your clients? What should I expect from response times? How can you help me find a home? How many days and times do shows usually have? How do you ensure transparency about issues you see at home?
Setting expectations for communications, home tours, and other information you provide to your agents has a good opportunity to establish a productive relationship from the start.
41 questions to ask while searching for your home
This is an extensive list and not all questions apply to all situations. For example, if your goal is to buy a detached house, then the apartment questions do not apply. However, this list of questions to ask when touring a home should give you a great start to making an informed decision when purchasing your first home.
Cost and finances
What is property tax? What is the average utility cost? Will there be future condo or homeowner association fees? How much do these usually cost? What is the lowest price you think you can offer this home? Do I need additional insurance to cover climate-related risks? How much does this usually cost?
Property Conditions
When was the house built? Did you have any major repairs on the property? If so, do you know if they provided the warranty? Are there shared private roads or communal spaces? How old are your major appliances and systems? Are appliances included in the sale? Is there enough storage space? A growing room? Is there any evidence of the water problem? Do you see wet drywall, underground floors, or open leaks? Can you smell the mold? Or does it smell like fresh paint intended to hide water issues? Are the walls structurally healthy? Look for cracks and find evidence of cracks covered in wallpaper. Is the chimney in good condition? Is the window sound? Do I need to replace one of the glazing? Do the windows on the first floor have work latches to lock the windows? Is the attic insulated? If so, when did the insulation be installed? Is there soundproofing in the house? (Try looking at the house at different times to hear road noise and neighbors.) Are there smoke or carbon monoxide alarms? What systems are used to heat and cool a home? I ask you to look at the circuit box – are the wiring up-to-date? What is the electrical outlet and switch status? (You can bring something into the plugin.) Do all the lights work? If not, why? Does the property have lead pipes? Are there any problems with the pipes that need repair? What kind of drainage systems does the property have? Is it in the sewerage of the city or is there a septic tank? Is there asbestos in the property or have you ever completed an asbestos survey? What kind of roof does the facility have? When was the last time it was replaced and what is its current state? Can you see a leak in the groove? Are the grooves cleaned or do they need work?
Neighborhoods and locations
What is the neighborhood like? Are there any amenities near this neighborhood? Shopping, food, entertainment, services, parks, public transport, and more. Which schools are there nearby? Have you ever been affected by past natural disasters, in flood zones, wildfire-prone areas, or other high-risk climate zones? Are there any trees growing within 15 feet of the property? Can you identify whether roots can be of concern?
Other important questions to ask when looking at home
What is the reason for the sale? How long does the seller live there? How many homes are on the market? What is the sales history of this house and how does it affect my offer? Is there an easement at the facility? Do you have a public right to how to pass your property? Are there any boundary disputes with your neighbors? Is there enough mobile phone reception indoors? What about broadband services in this area? Where is the garden heading? Are there any parts of the garden that are not exposed to sunlight all day? Will a real estate agent buy this house? If not, why?
To understand the overall cost of owning this home, you can ask these questions when purchasing a home. Once you understand all the costs, you can confidently make an offer you can afford.
12 questions to ask when making an offer and closing at home
Real estate agents make offers at home every day. Their job is to help you make the best offer while protecting you from potential risks in the transaction.
How does the offer work? Do you communicate with the seller or the seller’s agent? Do you recommend including it in your offer? Is the seller willing to pay all or part of the buyer agent’s fee? How much serious money should I put in the offer? Do you need to provide serious money? When should you expect to hear a response from the seller? When should I reply if I receive a counter offer? How do I sign a document? digital? face to face? If the offer is accepted, what is the next step? How far is the potential deadline from the accepted offer? Once the offer is accepted, what will be the next step? What will we do with the closure?
Real estate agents want to make home buying transactions as smooth as possible. If they have not provided this information in advance, be sure to ask.
You need to prepare a list of your own questions to ask when buying a home. You can include what is given here or other things that express your own interests or concerns. It is completely acceptable to complete the investigation, but do not skip asking questions about mortgage brokers, real estate agents and title companies. You can buy a mortgage or agent so that you can weigh all the options.
Asking the right questions when buying a home is essential to making informed and confident decisions. From understanding the terms of the property to assessing financial preparedness, each question can help ensure you are fully prepared for this important investment. With mortgage fees now lower, this may be the best time to enter the market. By carefully considering each aspect of the home buying process while still being informed, you can determine whether this is a good time to buy a home, and choose according to your financial goals and personal needs.
