Questions to ask when buying a house

A home purchase is a major undertaking that requires you to make many decisions and interact with different real estate professionals as you navigate the process, from agents and brokers to inspectors and mortgage underwriters. You’ll likely have lots of questions along the way. You might want to prepare a homebuying checklist to help you manage all the tasks and information you’re about to encounter. 

What questions should you ask about the property’s condition?

Laws in most states require that sellers disclose certain information about their home’s condition and any of its defects. That information is often presented in writing, on a disclosure form the seller fills out when they list the home for sale. 

If the seller hasn’t provided it, you’ll have to gather the information directly from them or through their agent. If you do have it, make sure it answers the following property condition questions:

• When was the house built? The age of the house determines what repairs and upgrades the home might need and how much it’ll cost to insure.
• What upgrades and renovations have you done, and who did the work? Also, ask if they had permits for the work. 
• Has the roof been repaired or replaced? This information will give you a sense of how much longer the roof will last before it needs replacement. An older roof also might cause problems with financing or insuring the home.
• How old are the major appliances? Major appliances like the refrigerator, washer and dryer, and hot water heater are expensive to replace. Their age can give you an idea of how long they’re likely to last.
• How old is the heating and air conditioning system? Also, find out if it’s under warranty. 
• Have you ever filed a homeowners insurance claim? Previous claims can reveal the hazards you might face — severe weather, for example, or vandalism. The risks you might face could affect your insurance rate.
• Has the basement or crawl space ever had water issues? A home with prior water damage might need foundation repairs, grading improvements, or other measures.

What questions should you ask about the neighborhood?

Location is a major factor in a home’s value and it impacts your enjoyment of your home. The answers to these neighborhood questions will give you insight into whether it’s the right place for you:

• What is the crime rate? It’s always a good idea to verify that a neighborhood is safe or find out what precautions you’ll need to take if you live there.
• Is there a homeowners association (HOA)? Neighborhoods with HOAs often have nice amenities and other public areas, but they come at a cost. HOA fees can range from $100 up to $1,000, according to Zillow, depending on the community’s amenities.
• Is this home within commuting distance? Spending too much time driving or riding to work could make you regret your purchase. 
• How far away are basic conveniences and recreational facilities? Easy access to the businesses, grocery stores, and other facilities you use frequently makes it much easier to go about your day-to-day activities.

What questions should you ask during a home inspection?

Home inspection questions are some of the most important you’ll ask. It’s not until the inspection is complete that you receive highly detailed information about the home’s condition, from an objective third party. Here’s what to ask your home inspector:

• Can you provide your license and insurance information? States typically require home inspectors to be licensed and insured. Find out if yours does, and if so, make sure the inspector is qualified.
• When can I expect the report? The timeline is especially important if you have an inspection contingency with a deadline.
• Which of the inspector’s recommendations are “must do” repairs, which are recommended repairs, and which are strictly FYI? The report should make those distinctions clear, but it’s a good idea to double-check, both for your own peace of mind and any repair negotiations you might have with the seller.

What questions should you ask your real estate agent?

Consider gearing questions for real estate agents to their qualifications, availability, and policies regarding representation and payment:

• How much experience do you have in this neighborhood? The more familiar your agent is with your neighborhood and the details of recent home sales, the better they’ll be able to represent you.
• What is the minimum commitment I need to make to work with you? New laws require that you enter into a representation agreement with your buyer’s agent before they can show you homes.
• What is your fee? The agreement you sign must explain the buyer’s agent fee and who is responsible for paying it. Be sure you understand it before signing the agreement.
• Will you represent me exclusively? Some states allow dual agency, where the same broker, or even the same agent, represents both the seller and the buyer. Some consumers consider this to be a conflict of interest.
• May I have a couple of recent references, or could you point me to some reviews? Knowing what other consumers liked and didn’t like about an agent can help you decide whether they’re right for you.

What questions should you ask about the mortgage and financing?

Which house to buy is the biggest decision you’ll make in the homebuying process, but which loan to use is a close second. Asking the right mortgage questions is vital to getting the best loan and best loan rate you qualify for:

• What type of loan is best for my situation, and why? Some mortgage loans have features that seem highly desirable at first glance, but certain stipulations make them a poor choice for a particular borrower. For example, USDA loans typically have lower interest rates than conventional loans and no down payment requirements, but you have to buy in a designated rural area, which some homebuyers might find limiting.
• How much down payment do I need? This varies by loan type, and it’s important that you know the amount up front. Some conventional lenders will allow a down payment as low as 3%, and there are government-backed loans that have no down payment requirements if you qualify.
• Must I pay mortgage insurance? Most, but not all, loans require buyers to pay for mortgage insurance if they make less than a 20% down payment.
• Is this the best rate you can offer me? Lenders sometimes are willing to negotiate on rates, but you’ll have to ask.
• What discounts do you offer? Some banks offer discounts to borrowers who qualify for certain loyalty tiers at the bank or who set up automatic payments.
• What are my options for locking in a rate? Locking in your rate means the lender will honor it for a certain period even if rates are on the rise. But being locked in when rates are dropping could result in you paying more than the going rate unless the lender has a flexible locking policy. 
• What fees do you charge? Common ones include an application fee and origination fee or underwriting fee.
• Will you pay my property taxes and insurance? Many lenders create an escrow account for borrowers’ property tax and homeowners insurance fees. The lender adds those expenses to your mortgage payments and pays the bills on your behalf.
• How do you handle extra payments? Making extra payments pays your loan off faster and saves you on interest. But you won’t get full benefit if the lender holds those extra payments until your regular due date, charges you to process them, or imposes an early payment penalty. 

What questions should you ask when making an offer?

Purchase and offer negotiation questions move you through the most important step in buying a home — the sales transaction itself.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Is the offer price realistic for the home and my budget? The offer price should be high enough to be competitive but realistic for your budget. Consider your down payment and closing costs, which could equal up to 5% or so of the purchase price, when you’re deciding on which houses to make offers.
• Will the seller accept contingencies? Giving yourself the option to back out of the sale if the inspection is bad, the home appraises for less than the purchase price, or you’re unable to get the kind of loan you want, offers a layer of protection.
• Will the seller offer concessions? Sellers sometimes allow buyers to finance their closing costs, which reduces the seller’s net proceeds from the sale but lets buyers purchase a more expensive home than they otherwise could afford. Or, in light of new rules around commission transparency, the seller might offer a concession to cover some or all of the buyer’s agent’s commission. 
• What conveys? Conveying refers to transferring ownership, so make sure you know what will be included. Traditionally, anything built in or attached to a wall, floor, or ceiling is included in the sale. Get confirmation if there’s anything you specifically want or don’t want to convey with the home.
• How soon will/must the seller close? Buyers and sellers sometimes have conflicting goals when it comes to closing dates.

Questions to ask when buying a house FAQ

How many questions should you ask when buying a house?

No specific number of questions is the right amount. You should ask as many as you need to in order to understand exactly what you’re buying and every other aspect of the transaction.

What are the most important questions to ask when buying a house?

The most important question for any particular buyer is the one that addresses their primary concern. It might be the home’s condition, its location, its price, or your agent’s qualifications. For example, if the home’s condition is a top concern, you might ask your seller and real estate agent more questions about the age of the property, roof, and appliances, as well as the quality of repairs or history of maintenance. 

Should you ask about recent repairs and renovations?

It’s a good idea to ask about all repairs and renovations, not just the recent ones. The more you know about the house, the better. If possible, ask if the person who completed the work was licensed and had permits, if required. 

What should you ask about the home’s history?

The most important thing to know about a home’s history might be whether major renovations were done by a professional contractor, and whether the seller obtained any permits necessary for the jobs. 

Should you ask why the seller is leaving?

You can ask. Some sellers are very forthcoming, but others may not be. If they’re struggling to make their payments, for example, they might withhold the information out of fear that you’ll try to take advantage of the situation by submitting a low offer.