If you ask the right questions when buying a house, you can dodge a lot of regrets with your home purchase. Whether you're buying a house for the first time or the eighth time, it's often up to you to ask the right questions to get the information you need so you can advocate for yourself—and your house.
We asked licensed Realtor Alicia Holmquist for her take on which questions are the most valuable to ask when buying a house. Keep reading to make your next home purchase your most prepared decision yet.
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1. Why do you want to buy a house?
The first question you should ask when buying a house will help you get clear with yourself on why you want to become a homeowner or buy a new house. Start with these questions to define your overall goals, commitment, and capabilities:
- Why do I want to buy a house right now?
- Am I looking to buy a long-term residence, investment property, or vacation home?
- Am I prepared for the additional responsibilities that come with homeownership (or a different home than the one I have)?
- How long do I plan to live in this home?
- What amenities or features are non-negotiable for me?
- How flexible am I regarding the size, location, age, or type of home?
Understanding your motivations and expectations for homeownership is crucial to avoid biting off more than you can chew so you can buy a house with no regrets. Your answers will help ensure that your decision is well-founded — and will give you a strong foundation for the hurdles that come next in the homebuying process.
2. What's the current state of my finances?
If the answers to the questions above only further confirm that you’re ready to become a homeowner or move on to a new home, it’s time to look closer at your finances. Buying a home is one of the biggest financial investments you'll make in your life, and getting your money lined up ahead of time can save you a lot of headaches for years to come.
- What’s the maximum price I can pay for a house?
- How am I going to finance this purchase?
- How does my current credit score affect my mortgage rate?
- Do I have stable employment and income?
- Do I have enough stashed away in a savings or emergency account should a problem arise?
- Do I have enough for the down payment? Or do I qualifying for a loan that requires no money down?
- Can I cover other associated expenses (closing costs, moving costs, repairs, etc.) without too much struggle?
- What’s my debt-to-income ratio?
Being honest with yourself about what you can afford will help you avoid wasting time on unattainable properties. What’s more, keep in mind that the costs can add up quickly right after buying and moving into a new home (think furnishing, unexpected renovations, etc.), so it’s better to be overprepared financially.
3. Are you the right real estate agent for me?
A real estate agent is meant to be your trusted guide in the world of homebuying. We can’t stress enough the importance of choosing a great real estate agent—often it makes or breaks your homebuying experience. So doing a little research on agents upfront (or using Clever to do the research for you) will go a long way throughout your entire home purchase.
Finding an agents who understands your needs—and can act on them—is almost as important as choosing the right home itself. They can help you buy your dream home faster and with less stress. Take your time and find the right match by asking these questions:
- How much experience do you have working in this area?
- How many potential buyers do you represent at a given time?
- Do you work mostly with buyers or sellers?
- What’s your primary area of expertise (single-family homes, investment properties, luxury homes, etc.)?
- How many homes have you closed on in the past year?
- How do you approach the negotiation process?
- Can you provide recent references?
- Can you help me understand the homebuying process by explaining the differences between things like closing costs and down payments?
- Do you know local, licensed inspectors and contractors?
The right real estate agent will guide you through the process, answer any questions along the way, and deal with many of the difficult aspects involved in buying a home. Interview a few agents until you find the one that fits you and seems up to the task.
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4. What's the history of this home?
As a future homeowner, you want to feel certain of your choice and uncover any potential issues with your home before you sign the deal. Although sellers and buyers don't often talk when you're using an agent, you can ask your agent to surface answers to these questions either from the property listing or from the seller's agent.
- How long has the property been up for sale?
- Will I need to make any necessary renovations or repairs?
- What repairs or renovations have been done recently? Have any insurance claims been filed on the home?
- What’s included in the sale (e.g., appliances, furniture)?
- In what condition are the roof, HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems?
- What are the average monthly utility bills?
- How much are the annual property taxes and insurance?
- Are there any outstanding code violations on the property?
- Are there any boundary disputes?
- Is the home located in a flood, hurricane, or earthquake zone?
By asking these questions (and later verifying the accuracy of the answers), you’ll better understand the home, its history, and its condition so you know exactly what you're getting into.
5. Is this where I want to live for the next 5–10 years?
Knowing as much as possible about the house itself is important, but as many real estate agents will say "Location is everything." You don't want to buy a house that you'll want to sell in just a couple years—otherwise you risk selling at a loss. If you’re looking at a new neighborhood or city, confirm whether the area fits your needs and lifestyle with these questions:
- What’s the shopping and dining situation (grocery stores, restaurants, shopping malls, etc.)?
- Are there any parks, libraries, gyms, or pools nearby?
- How do the local schools rank?
- What’s the neighborhood’s crime rate? Is it trending up or down?
- How have prices in the area changed over the last few years?
- Are there any planned developments or infrastructure projects that could impact the area?
- What’s the ratio of owner-occupied homes to rentals?
- Is there a homeowners association (HOA)? What are the rules and fees?
- What are the best and the worst aspects of this neighborhood?
Talking to as many neighbors as you can will give you a good sense of what things are like. People have different perspectives, but you'll often begin to notice common themes. You should also check out the area yourself a few times. For example, visit during rush hour, on a weekend afternoon, and after dark to see how it feels at different times of the day and week.
6. What did the home inspection reveal about the house?
A home inspection is the ideal time for a homebuyer to learn about hidden problems and costly repairs that the seller or property record might not have surface. When handed any inspection results, make sure you obtain answers to all of these questions from your inspector:
- Are there any serious issues with the house?
- Are there any immediate safety concerns?
- Which repairs are urgent, and which are recommended?
- Does the house require any ongoing maintenance?
- Are there any foundational or structural issues?
- Have you noticed any signs of water damage or mold?
- In what shape are the plumbing and electrical systems?
- Are smoke and carbon monoxide detectors present and in working condition?
Hopefully, these questions about the property will strengthen your already-informed decision about whether you want to make this place your future home.
7. What kind of offer do I want to submit on this home?
Once you set your heart on a particular property, it’s time to make an offer. Asking questions at this stage will help you protect your interests and negotiate confidently and effectively. You can ask your agent many of these questions and some of them will be what your agent will ask you when they're prepping the offer letter. You can make a stronger offer by thinking through your expectations ahead of time.
- How should an offer be submitted (e.g., directly to the seller, through the seller’s agent, through an attorney)?
- How much time does the seller have to respond to the offer?
- Should I include a financial, inspection, appraisal, or other contingency?
- Have there been any previous offers, and, if so, why did they fall through?
- What amount is expected for the earnest money deposit?
- Are there any specific deadlines or timeframes I need to meet?
- What do I want the closing date to be?
- Are there any seller concessions I want to ask for?
Your real estate agent will guide you through these questions and advocate for your best interests. If you have any concerns, ask for clarification or request more information before submitting an offer.
8. Am I ready for closing day?
Closing on a home is a fairly quick process (it usually takes just a few hours), but it requires weeks of meticulous preparation and getting all your paperwork in order ahead of time. Here are some questions to ask yourself (and your real estate team) before closing day so everything goes off without a hitch:
- What documents do I need to bring to closing?
- Have I secured homeowners insurance? Does my lender have proof?
- What are the final closing costs? Who will cover them?
- When will I officially own the home and receive the keys?
- Are there any last-minute changes to the agreement that might surprise me?
- Have I made any last-minute purchases or taken out any loans that might jeopardize my mortgage approval?
Asking these questions before closing makes you more likely to catch any last-minute errors. They’ll also help you better understand your responsibilities so you can move into your home with confidence and peace of mind.
Buying a house is more than just a transaction; it’s a major decision that can shape your future. By asking the right questions and clarifying any doubts, you’re more likely to make the right choice and enjoy your new home for years to come. Use this guide as a checklist, and don’t hesitate to seek professional advice when needed.
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