Making an offer is exciting, and it is also the moment when good questions save you money. Before you sign anything, ask these questions of your agent, the listing agent, and yourself. None of them are tricks. They are the questions that separate a smooth closing from a stressful one.
Questions for the listing agent
Why is the seller moving? The answer shapes your negotiation. A relocation or a growing family often means a motivated timeline. A seller who is not in a hurry may hold firm on price.
What is included in the sale? Appliances, window treatments, the storage shed in the backyard, the garage shelving. Get it in writing. What looks like a fixture to you may be coming with the seller.
What repairs or updates have been done, and when? A newer roof, updated kitchen, or replaced water heater changes what you should budget for in year one. Ask for dates, not just descriptions.
Questions about the house itself
How old are the major systems? Furnace, water heater, air conditioning, and roof. Age is not a dealbreaker, but it is a budget line item.
What is the neighborhood like on a Tuesday? Visit at different times. Morning traffic, school pickup, and weekend noise all look different from a quiet Sunday afternoon showing.
What will the inspection likely find? No house is perfect. Ask your agent what the common issues are for this type of home, so the inspection report does not surprise you. For a single-story ranch, that often means checking the roof, the grading around the foundation, and the age of the mechanicals.
Questions for yourself
Can I see myself here in three years? A home is a long-term decision. Does the layout fit how you actually live, not how you imagine living?
What is my walk-away number? Decide your maximum before you enter negotiations, and write it down. Emotion is expensive at the negotiating table.
Am I pre-approved, not just pre-qualified? A pre-approval letter tells sellers you are serious and tells you exactly what you can afford. It takes an hour and it changes how your offer is received.
Ask, then ask again
There is no such thing as a dumb question in a home purchase, only an unasked one. Write your list down, bring it to the showing, and use your agent as the resource they are. A good agent would rather answer the tenth question than watch you sign with doubt in your head.
If you are looking in the Wilmington area, I am happy to walk through these questions with you, whether the home is mine or not.
About the author
LeaAnn Taylor is a Realtor with Glasshouse Realty in Wilmington, Ohio. She has lived in Wilmington since 2013, has helped clients with real estate since 2017, and writes about buying and selling homes in Clinton County.