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Additional Details
It is my house. We have added a ... |
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bamacountrygirl | What are some questions a first time home buyer should ask thier realtor? |
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kherome
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First of all realize that the agent is working for the SELLER not the buyer.
Now, when you see a home, don't think about how cute a couch would look over there, or how you love the big bath tub etc. Look for flaws. Pick that place apart. Look for cracks in the foundation, or walls, pay close attention to the basement (if it has one). If you smell mildew, see mold, or note watermarks you may be in trouble. FRESH PAINT in a basement is a BAD THING...90% of the time it means they have something to hide from you. Flush toilets, turn the water on in the tub and sinks and let it run for a bit while you stand there so you can note if the water drains well or backs up. You don't want to buy a place with bad drain piping. ALWAYS get an inspector, and NOT one that the agent recommended. Find your own! DO NOT be cheap in finding a good inspector. You'll be sorry later. The foundation of the house is SO important. Ask questions of your inspector. Bowed walls, leaking water, mold etc can be terrible to impossible to fix. BE THERE when the inspector goes through and ASK questions even if you feel the question might be stupid. It's only stupid if you don't ask. Remember to check out the attic if there is one. If the agent gives you an excuse about not having a ladder etc GET a ladder or don't buy. Your attic can tell you a lot about the safety of your home, and problems you might have. Make sure your inspector gets on the roof too. |
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Pumken
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A list of questions always helped me. Here is a link to "100 questions for homebuyers". Hope it helps.
http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/buying/buyhm.cfm |
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nuckin futz
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Ask if there is an HOA, and if the realtor says no, ask if there are covenants. HOA's and covenants are both ways for someone who doesn't even live in the neighborhood to stick their nose in everything you do around your house! |
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Shaz
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1) how old is house
2) how old are the parts (roof, boiler, furnace, etc)
3) Is there or can seller have a bug inspection done
4) When can I get a home inspector in there?
5) Is title clean
MAIN POINT OF ADVISE FOR 1st TIMER!!! Get a buyers agent!!!!! It costs you nothing as it comes out of the realtor's commision and they are there to look out for you! |
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raztaman420
 |
You might ask your real estate agent how long they've lived in the area so you know if they have knowledge of the neighborhood where you are looking. An agent cannot tell you whether an area is a "bad neighborhood" so make sure you ask about things that are important to you like good schools, nightlife, your commute to work from your new home, etc.
The real estate agent should be the one asking most of the questions. They should show you listing borchures of houses in advance of showing them to make sure that's what you're looking for. When you see houses, you should tell the agent what you like and dislike about the house. They should ask you about your financing including how much cash you have for a downpayment and how much you can afford to pay monthly for a mortgage. You should ask them to recommend a good mortgage broker who will keep your costs low and be easy to contact.
Tell your agent what your time frame is for moving, so they know how often to contact you. Now is a good time to buy since the prices are very low. Good luck! |
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Kat S
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Ask for a seller's disclosure, inspection (both structural and for pests), who is responsible for closing and surveying costs, and what percent your realtor expects to collect at closing. |
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Ralfcoder
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Ask if they will be acting as a buyer's agent. In my area, by law a realtor represents the interests of the seller, EVEN IF THEY ARE THE REALTOR FOR THE PROSPECTIVE BUYER. The exception for this is when the realtor and the prospective buyer both sign an agreement to act as buyer's agent. This means that they legally represent you, not the seller. It's an important distinction - if there is an issue where the realtor has to act either on your behalf or the seller's, which way do you want them to go? |
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zqx357
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I am a big believer in following that gut feeling. Just make sure what ever you do feels right. if you have any doubt back off, there are plenty of houses out there. don't allow your self to be pushed into anything by anyone. later |
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Aaron
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1) how much did the current owners pay for the house and when
2) What are the sales of the comparable homes in the last six months? Drive me buy them so I can see them and create a visual picture to the price paid.
3) Can you provide me the local crime statistics/ home owner association newsletters/ etc for the last few months.
4) Does anything change in the neighborhood by time of day? morning commute, late afternoon teenager problems, late night wanderings, etc.
Take this total list and go ask another group of people for their list. You can't ask too many questions.
Lastly, I'd make a separate list for the people doing the financing. They get their own set of questions. |
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ChristmasLightGuy
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Who do you work for (answer-the seller) Will you tell everything I say to the seller? (answer-if it is benefictial to the sale and gets the seller more money).
My story: I found a real estate agent that I trusted and was quite candid in front of her. I actually found a house that I liked and the sale was contingent upon the home passing an engineers inspection. During the tour, I had said to Mrs. Envirodude that "I like this home so much, I would even pay for the engineers inspection myself".
Well, after negotiating a price, haggling over closing costs, getting the owner to do some work, all was done except for the engineers report (a $250 cost at the time). The seller would not budge on it.
I then remembered my statement.
The bottom line: I realized that anything I said was a conduit to the seller. We ultimately walked away from the deal and the Real Estate agent was astounded. When she pinned me down for the reason, I told them that I would not pay $250 for a report for a house that might have problems. She reminded me of my statement and I told her that she was fired. At that time, she rereminded me that SHE WORKED FOR THE SELLER. |
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shamus_jack
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the real question is, how many questions should they ask you? They should be working to get you the best home for your needs and price range. they should be asking you a boat load of questions... be weary about a realtor who just shows you properties, without asking you questions beyond #of beds,baths, and preapproval $$$ amount!
one thing you should know is what comes standard with a house purchase, appliances and such things. in PA a stove comes standard, and if one is not provided, then it must be noted in the contract, and agreed to at signing. little details like this can help you NOT sign away things that the seller is obligated to leave, like furnaces and stoves and stuff.
another good question is who pays... most of the time the seller pays 6%, 3 going to the seller'srealtor, 3 to the buyers, but it is always good to make sure. then Closing cost is up to you, they should be able to provide you with a VERY close esimant on what you could expect (you should know that unless other arrangement are made with the seller, or lender you have to pay them out of pocket.)
the biggest question you should ask is the process, it can be a bit paper work intensive, but if you have a Good realtor, they will keep you informed as to the next steps you need to take, and deal with all the direct contract stuff. Remember, they get paid when you get a house, keep them on there toes! |
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peace
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Here are a few things you should find out for yourself: If you find a house that you are interested in drive by that neighborhood on a Saturday night and check out how noisy it is. Visit the school your children will go to. Drive from the house to your work at the same time you would have to and see how the drive is. Check out the nearby shopping and day cares if you use them. Go by and check the nearest park/playground, is it clean and well cared for? If you have concerns stop by the local police department and ask if the area is a good one. Good luck! |
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wi_saint
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Some of the more important questions to ask of a realtor is
1. Is the house in a flood plane?
2. Has the house ever been on fire (and repaired)?
3. Are you working for me or the seller?
4. Is the house in foreclosure?
5. What are the taxes and utility costs per year? (can be found on the realtor information sheet)
6. What is the crime rate of the local neighborhood?
7. Which department covers fire, rescue, police...?
(volunteer, city, county....)
8. and I would close with...How long has the house been on the market? |
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freakzilla2547
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ask if its haunted |
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love2travel
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Ask about their qualifications. Bear in mind that not every real estate salesperson is a real estate broker and not every real estate broker is a Realtor! "The term REALTOR® is a registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics."
Hope that helps! |
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BPD Wife
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You've received some great responses, but I am in 100% agreement with Nuckin' above. Be sure to ask about HOAs and covenants (or deed restrictions in some areas). We purchased a house and were told that there were no deed restrictions. We never bothered to "read" the paperwork at the time of title search because we had an emergency the same day as settlement and were a bit "off". Our property does have deed restrictions that keep us from putting in an above ground pool or a satellite dish on the house! Fortunately for us, no one is enforcing the deed restrictions but it could cause a potential problem in the future if someone wants to. |
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OMEGA SUPREME
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A real estate agent is the wrong person to ask anything about your plans for a house. First you should consult a Home buying Specialist in your area. These services tend to be free or even very cheap at most. They provide you with the proper information for your proper loan,house,credit report, and all the 411 status or uncertainty of the purchasing a home. Almost every state has one. Some even provide grants to first time home buyers who qualify. So you should look for a reputable Home Buying Specialist who can console you through the intense process. |
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Randy
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Remember that the listing agent DOES NOT work for you. The selling agent is getting a commision and will do very little to rock the boat.
Look out for your own best interests. Don't get in over your head with payments. Shop for the best deals.
OK, I know these aren't questions, but I am a 50 year old guy and that is what I would tell my own children. |
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Jeanne B
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One important question is, "Has this house ever flooded or had damage of any other kind?"
Hire your own contractor or inspector, don't go with the person your real estate agent recommends. |
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arcaneuniverse
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you dont ask the realtor, study the blk and wht report from the house inspector.. |
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whatsinaname
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First, do a search for an "exclusive Buyers Agent" in your area. They represent buyers and only buyers, they never sell homes. This means they have no legal conflict of interest and are only representing you.
Second, make sure your agent will be looking for homes in places other than the MLS. Many agents only use the MLS on principle, so you will never see homes for sale by owner. That can take some very nice homes out of the picture.
Third, read all the documents. There are a ton, and most people never sit and read them all, they just sign where their agent tells them to. Take your time and know what you are signing, even if others are getting impatient. |
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gonefuzzy
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you need to see bounder pegs or marking were bounds are, on the land.you need to know if they have a copy of the deed(original) to make sure there are no restrictions.
on the house= the Realtor should know or be able to know if the wiring & plumbing is up to date &code and if inspector had followed thru with paperwork at that time.( seen this happen all up to code but inspector didn't sign off
needed re inspection meaning opening of walls) if you have a large family is the septic coded to handle usage of x amount of people in dwelling? don't be afraid to ran water/flush toilets to see preasure . ask about warranties on appliances if any, |
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dolores h
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baumacoma,
Things you should consider in buying a home .
This is more things to look for then questions .
.1. is the basement dry,
2. look for water spots (you'll be able to tell )
3. go look at a home when it rains , you can find out alot then , just by doing that .(mildew means dampness)
4. How old is the heater ?
5. check the water heater how old is that ?
6.check the roof ,could need replacement , and that is a big expense .
7. One other quality you could ask if they're leaving some money in the home , for so many years , some do that .
8. What all goes with the home ? (Some people have special lamp features that they want to take ) For Instance a Tifanny Lamp)
9. When would Settlememt Date be,if your interested in the home .
10. Keep in mind , your Realtor is working for you , so do not be afraid to ask any questions no matter if you think the question may seem dumb , you pay them for there service if you want a particular home . No question is to dumb to ask , what is dumb not asking any . Do not let a Realtor talk you into buying a home , just so they get a sale if its one you really dont want . They can be smooth talkers too . |
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hahunter88
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firtst you need to ask the realtor what are the lastest updates or remodoling that has been done to the property. They are always happy to divulge this information since this is going to be thier selling points. Then always understand that new paint,carpet, dooors etc. mean that the property was done on the behalf of the seller at the realtors request for a quick sale. Physically the house will have street appeal. The woman will always go first to the kitchen area dining area first. The man will want to look at the garage and yard, spriklers etc. Ask the realtor for who did the work and if permits or state liscened contractor did the work. Look at the neighbor hood and the streets, could be a bad one and always find if street repairs or expansions are being planned. Also find out if new developments are in the process of being planned. Get an indepentant(not the realtors) home examination-usually around $200. Do not only ask the realtor about the improvements but one should slip away and look for any quick patches made around the house as well as paint on the concrete. windows or roof. Ask about the air conditioner or the heat. Be patient and DO NOT make a rash decision to buy the first one. Go next door and ask the neighbor's what they know about the previous occupants, they are usually more that happy to divulge any questions like how many children, activities, lifestyes of previous occupants that the realtor does not even know about. Ask about termite issues, if the house has recently been "tented" there is going to be porous wood trussels and beams. The termites maybe dead but the wood is still there that the damage has been made. Look for recent water stains on the ceiling, especially if you notice a slight discoloration. If you are happy about the house ask the realtor if the seller or even the realtor may recuce the cost. This house will be your most valuable investment and you will want to feel comfortable living there. You may not like the carpet or paint or cabinets, so deal with above mentioned about these issues. Realtors must disclose flood plains, toxic sites, death in house, closest water dams, army depots. Check schools if you have children or metro links if you are a commutor. More people are moving because of traffic congestion. If you work from home you will want a quiet place to concentrate. If you fly alot find out where the closest and easiest airport is. Always ask about local sales taxes including water,trash and eledticity. Hope this Help's I could keep going however I assume you are intelligent to come up with other question's to ask the realtor. |
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Tip Anring
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What commission they charge.Realize too that they make their money by selling,so,most of them will omit a lot of info that would keep you from buying.Be sure to have them sign an "all facts disclosure staement".After buy/selling 17 houses I still have a lot to learn.Trust no one,and if they can't explain things in 3d grade terms,they probably are covering for something.Get a book on the subject!! |
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llordlloyd
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Ask as little as possible of the realtor! You want 'warning signs' and the person who makes a few thousand on the sale is hardly going to tell you anything negative- that's like expecting the guy in the Ford dealership to tell you all the problems with a Ford!
Get as much independent advice as possible- find a builder to do a proper inspection (and preferably an actual builder, not a building inspection service that will in all likelihood know the RE agent and rely on her for business). Ask as many people from the neighbourhood as possible about the street- even if that means going into shops or cafes and striking up conversation. Ask the police, too!
Check the local council or government for planning issues- is there a proposal to massively upgrade that nearby road, or build a new freight depot at the nearby airport?
You can rely on the RE agent for advice about titles, legal issues, and borrowing- just be aware they'll tell you nothing negative. That's not how good salespeople work. |
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goldie
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Have them tell you why people are selling. Make sure no water leaks anywhere, how old is the roof, wiring, floors,carpeting. Is all "up to code"? Check for any trees that may have roots that could harm foundation. Check ALL of it top to bottom. Leave NOTHING unchecked. Go to basement, check furnace, walls, floor, rafters, insulation. Look above at water pipes, fittings. Don't miss a thing. If you fail to ask something NOW, it could present a big problem later. You can find out how much utilities run. This is a good way to find out how energy wise things will be. Ask about school district division lines, bus routes and all events in area that could cause parking problems. Snow removal, if necessary. ETC... |
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my_alias_id
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When you pick a home, don't buy it until you have a home inspector come check the property. They find all the little problems with a house and all the big ones that you or I wouldn't think to look for. |
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Pink Cashmere
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How much is their fee. |
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rosecitylady
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First of all, make sure the realtor is your "buyer's agent", not the realtor selling the home. You want to have your own agent who is going to give you the best advice and will help make the first-time buying process easier. Ask how many sales they close a month on average and how much time they'll be able to spend helping you to find a home. Ask what their commission percentage is. Ask them if they have names of mortgage brokers and home inspectors, if you don't already have one. Ask what kind of money you would expect to need for a down payment and closing costs. Most important, make sure you like your agent and are comfortable with them! Good luck - buying a first home is very stressful but exciting as well! |
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nswblue
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Does the house come with a warranty and does it come with a clean deed!@~ |
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