Visiting an open house should be more than just a casual walk-through of the home – it’s a great time to talk with the listing agent and ask questions. Here’s a list to get you started.
1. How long has the property been on the market?
If the property has been on the market for a long time, you might be able to offer a lower amount.
2. Have there been any offers and how many?
This helps you to feel out your potential competition and also tells you whether to submit your best offer first or bid competitively.
3. Why are the owners selling and what is their timeline?
The more you know about the sellers and what they want, the more easily you can work around it — and put together a tempting offer while still getting a good deal.
4. What issues come with the house?
Ask for a written seller’s disclosure — and if you’re lucky, a talkative listing agent might reveal more in person.
5. Have there been any recent improvements?
It’s good to find out what improvements have been made so that you know they won’t need to be done after you purchase the home.
