FIVE QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR REALTOR
Shopping for a new home and unsure of which questions you need to ask your realtor? These five questions will provide a great springboard for discussion about what you really need from your new house.
1. How long has the house been on the market?
A house that has been on the market for a long time (i.e., more than 6 months) is not always an indicator of a bad house. Many factors can contribute to a house sitting on the market, including time of year and funding falling through after a potential buyer has made an offer. Other times, the house is sitting because it needs a fair amount of work to bring it up to move-in ready standards. If you’re not afraid of a little elbow grease or home renovation projects, a house left sitting on the market because it repairs could mean a great deal to you.
2. What is the neighborhood like?
This is a great question whether you have children, plan on starting a family or just want a good idea of who your neighbors are. Your realtor will be able to pinpoint approximate ages of your neighbors, point out any neighborhood association fees, and talk to you about the local schools. Any information she can give about the area will be helpful in deciding where you would like to live.
3. What do you like about the house?
Easily our favorite question of the bunch, we love asking our realtors how they really feel about the homes they show. This is a great opportunity to hear about unique features, resell values and the details that make the house a winner in their book. Take advantage of the opportunity to pick your realtor’s brain – you won’t regret it!
4. Do you have any concerns about the house?
Just the first of many questions about the conditions and location of a home, make sure you ask your realtor in detail about potential trouble spots or any reason why the home wouldn’t match up with what you’re looking for.
5. Is the house priced right?
A launching pad into a discussion about making an offer, this question is all about relying on your realtor’s expertise. This is one of the many important reasons why you chose a realtor in the first place. She will evaluate the listing price of the house based on area homes similar in size, condition, and features. If it’s priced competitively, you will be that much closer to making an offer that will be accepted.
This list makes a great start to questions to ask your realtor. Once you start shopping around, you’ll find you think of many, many more. Need a recommendation for a stellar realtor? Check out our team of professionals and choose a partner to help you find YOUR next home! (We promise, they can answer all your questions!)
