Don’t waste a minute longer in a home that won’t work for you and isn’t worth your time. Every weekend you hit up all the open houses in your area. Only to walk away not knowing if a home’s worth pursuing and putting in an offer. That’s because you aren’t asking the right questions at these open houses. These 11 questions are the best you can ask at your next open house.
Of course, you want to know that the kitchen has stainless steel appliances. It better come with a GE Monogram stove top and granite countertops. You wouldn’t be at this open house if the home didn’t have that. And who doesn’t want a house with a yard that’s fully fenced, easy to care for with spectacular views? I know I do.
The listing agent got you to this open house by flaunting all the home’s fantastic features. Everyone loves a home with an open floor plan, a cozy nook, and a bonus room that can double as an office. Sounds like a perfect home to me.
But let’s be honest. You aren’t at this open house to see what’s right with the house.
You want to know what’s wrong with it and then decide if it’s worth pursuing.
An open house highlights all the positive attributes. It’s up to the buyer to discover the impurities of the home. And that’s where this list of questions comes in handy. These questions put you in the driver’s seat when it comes time to chat with the agent. Don’t let them only talk about the home’s benefits. After all, the benefits of the home are what got you to the open house in the first place.
Plan your open house schedule for this weekend, but don’t forget to take this list of the best questions to ask the agent. If you’re serious about buying a home, it’s time to get serious about open houses. Consider an open house like an interview and dive deeper and ask the tough questions.
11 of the best questions to ask at an open house
#1. Are you the listing agent?
Right as you’re stepping into the home and putting on the shoe coverings is the time to ask this question. As you’re shaking the agent’s hand squeeze in a “are you representing the seller?”
You want to know this because it lets you know whose team they are on, so to speak. If they answer yes to the question, they’re the listing agent and work for the seller. If they answer no that means they have no obligations to the seller. Knowing if they represent the seller or not helps you understand their perspective on the answers you get.
#2. How long has the house been on the market?
You want to know if this house has been sitting for a bit, or if it’s a brand new listing. Homes that have been on the market for some time allow for more wiggle room when it comes to price negotiating. Know the date the home went live on the MLS.
A home that’s been on the market for a period of time longer than market norms tells you a few things. The home could be priced too high or it’s not in a great neighborhood or school district. Another reason could be a challenging seller. All this is great info to have in your back pocket.
#3. Have there been any price reductions?
Ask the agent outright about any price reductions. A price reduction is used to draw attention to buyers. Let’s say the home has been on the market for a few weeks and still has no offers. The sellers decide to lower the list price hoping to get some more eyes on the home.
This is valuable information for you as a buyer. The sellers are struggling to get buyers interested. It’s clear the sellers aren’t getting the offers they were hoping for. otherwise, the home wouldn’t still be on the market. The goal is to get the home sold, and a price reduction lets you know they’re having trouble doing that.
#4. Why are the owners selling?
Remember how you asked if the agent represents the sellers? If they answered yes, they have a fiduciary responsibility to the seller. Meaning, that their loyalty sits with the seller, not you the buyer. They might not be able to tell you all the details. But they can provide some information that can be helpful to you as a potential buyer.
A seller that downsizes is very different from moving out of state. They don’t have the same timeline or need to move fast. The homeowner might have passed and it’s the family that’s selling the home. They might be more motivated to move the process along and close up any loose ends with the estate.
#5. What matters most to the sellers?
After you ask the agent why the owner’s selling, it’s a great time to ask this question. Every buyer should know what matters most to the seller before putting in an offer. Of course, the price is high on the list. But the price isn’t everything all the time.
A seller might need to stay in the home another 60 days after closing. You might have the ability to rent the home back to the seller for a set amount of time. This might be the most important part of your offer. Even bigger than the price you put down. Don’t shy away from asking the agent what the seller wants. What they really, really want.
#6. Does the seller have a timeline?
Again, this is another great follow-up question to the previous two. If a seller has a tight timeline, and you’re able to make it work, great. That could come in handy when you put in an offer. Let them know you can close fast and without any hiccups.
But, if they need to stay at the home until their kids finish school, include that in your offer. It would surprise you how many offers win out because buyers are targeting the seller’s needs. Get to know as much about the seller and what matters most to them and put that in your offer.
#7. Get a list of property disclosures
A seller has a legal obligation to disclose any defects that they know about. A property disclosure statement lets you know any existing problems in the property. It also protects sellers from liability for these issues. This disclosure lets you, the buyer, know about them before the sale.
There are always issues with a home that a seller doesn’t have any idea about. That’s where the inspection comes in handy. When you’re at the open house you want to know all the known skeletons in this home’s closet. Way out the pros and the cons while you’re there and decide if the home’s worth pursuing.
#8. Ask for any hazardous material test results
This question only applies to homes built before 1978 and it applies to lead-based paint. The Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act was passed in 1992. This law requires homeowners to disclose any known information on lead-based paint and hazards before the sale of the home. If a seller hasn’t had these tests done, you could negotiate this upfront.
#9. What are the biggest issues with the home?
Again, does the agent represent the seller? If so, they’re going to be more reserved when it comes to answering this question. But don’t let that stop you from asking it. It’s important to know what the big issues are so you don’t waste your time or the seller’s time.
The agent might tell you that the roof will need replacing in the next year. Use this in your negotiation if you decide to put in an offer. It’s always better to know the biggest problems of the home and decide if it’s still worth it. Sometimes it is and sometimes it’s not.
#10. How old are the major systems in the home?
Did they recently replace a water heater, or will it need replacing soon? Damage from a water heater can lead to flooding and other very expensive problems. How are the pipes and the plumbing? The last thing you want is to move into your brand new beautiful home. Then realize the pipes need replacing, which means walls are coming down left and right.
Not exactly how you pictured spending your first few thousand dollars in your new place. Other systems to be sure and ask about include the electrical, HVAC, and septic issues (if the home is on septic).
#11. Does the seller have permits for any upgrades or renovations?
Any work that’s done on the home without proper permitting is illegal. Work can include basement remodel, plumbing, electrical, or home additions. If you find out this amazing, beautiful, perfect home isn’t permitted, watch out. This is the red flag you need to notice and make a mental note this home comes with some pretty heavy baggage.
If you buy the home this becomes your problem. You could get stuck with the exhausting and expensive task of getting the home permitted. Or even worse, you could be penalized for the unpermitted work the previous owner did. Again, not fun and not how you want to spend your first few months in your new home. Don’t let an almost perfect home distract you from the heavy burden of an unpermitted home.
If you’re in the market to buy a home, don’t waste any of your time. That includes all the hours you spend touring open houses. This list of the best questions to ask the open house agent will make it clear if the house is worth pursuing. But an even better way to save time, resources, and money is to have an agent by your side throughout the entire process.
My name is Wendy Bathgate and I’m a local real estate agent in Kitsap County. Don’t let the home buying process get you down or overwhelm you. Get an agent that works on your behalf who’ll find the answers to these questions and more. That agent is me.
I would love to help you navigate this journey and find the home of your dreams. Email me at hello@livingthekitsaplife.com. Looking forward to hearing from you.