Buyers: Knowing the Right Questions to Ask, for Every Room of the Home
Open houses can be a great opportunity for potential buyers, even those just taking a look at neighborhoods before hiring a real estate agent, to get a feel for what the area and the real estate in the area are like. When you attend an open house it is important – especially if you are serious about buying a home in the near future, to think about what you are seeing, and ask the appropriate questions.
The Outward Appearance
Most potential home buyers are already formulating an opinion of the house before they step in the door. Just seeing the exterior of the house in its neighborhood may lead to the following:
- When were the windows installed?
- How old is the roof?
- What are the neighbors like?
- Are there schools around?
- What about accessibility to public transit?
- How old are the windows?
Structural renovations, such as replacing drafty windows or old, damaged roofs, may be costly. Since roofs tend to need replacement every 20 or 25 years, the home buyer will want to factor in maintenance costs. Rude neighbors are not so costly, but they may affect the quality of life. It can be helpful to take a walk around the street or neighborhood before going into the open house and ask yourself (and your partner) if you the area could be a good fit for you and your family.
The Kitchen
This room is often the hub of the family home, it is where so many memories are made, and laughs shared. So it’s important to seriously look at all aspects of the room and to know its quality beforehand. Take a look around and really think about if you could see your family there.
- What are the cabinets made out of?
- When were the appliances installed?
- Is the countertop sealed?
- What kind of countertop is it?
- Does it provide the sightlines that you want?
The Bathroom
Maintenance issues with this room are often the most inconvenient, for obvious reasons. The home buyer will want to make sure that everything is functional before they commit. You might hear things like:
- How old is the plumbing?
- Where does the sewage lead to?
- Has it ever been treated for mold?
- Have there been any leaks?
- When were the faucets updated last?
- How strong is the ventilation?
While these aren’t the most glamorous of topics, they’re key to the quality of the house. When house hunting, be truthful about your concerns and do not hesitate to ask the questions.
The Basement
Whether or not the basement is finished, as a potential home buyer make sure that you take a look at it. Often, potential home buyers are thrown off when they see an unfinished basement, but really, if everything else is positive about the space, an unfinished basement simply means untapped potential. Questions to consider asking might be:
- How old is the wiring?
- Have you ever experienced water damage?
- Has there ever been flooding?
- When was the basement finished?
- Have there been any foundation issues or concerns to be aware of?