The Three Most Important Questions To Ask A Listing Agent At An Open House

Open houses are a great opportunity for you to meet with the seller and their listing agent. Make sure you take advantage of this and get all of your questions answered about the home. Asking the right questions can help you quickly decide if you would like to make an offer or look elsewhere. Here are three questions you should definitely ask as a prospective buyer:

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First, you should start out by asking about any problems the home might have. Buying a home is probably the biggest investment you'll ever make, and it's best to be critical. Open houses are designed to entice you but can gloss over issues with the home. Ask about the roof, wiring, sewage, drainage, heating and air conditioning systems, etc. You can also do a little investigating on your own as you tour the home, and if you find problems that the listing agent did not disclose to you - low water pressure, dripping sinks, subflooring covered by fancy carpet - that might be a sign to step back. Also ask if the home appliances and systems are covered by a home warranty. Keep in mind, it is required by law for sellers to disclose any code violations or structural issues. You can ask for a written seller's disclosure and take photos of problem area so you can review them when making an offer.

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Another question you should ask is how long the home has been on the market. You can find this information on your own but asking the listing agent can put the info in context. If the home has been on the market for a long time, you could have more bargaining power. However, it could be that the sellers had a previous buyer whose financing fell through. If the home has been on the market for a short while, there might be several buyers expressing interest. Either way, the information you get will be useful if you decide to make an offer. 

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Lastly, you should ask about the neighborhood. It's good to know about the people you and your family will be surrounded by. Ask details that correspond to your lifestyle, like if the neighborhood is kid-friendly or if it's ideal for retirees. Also ask about nearby schools, hospitals, police and fire stations. Then you can do your own research on their credibility and efficiency. 

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Obviously this is not a complete list of questions, but it is a great starting point. When buying a home, the more questions you get answered, the better. This is also where a great buyer's agent can help. They can get you more information about a home so you can make the best decision possible. Here at Urban Cool Homes we have a group of amazing agents to help you find your dream home quickly and efficiently. 

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