The
Premier Team
Prudential
Premier Homes
Unlike an automobile, you can’t test
drive a home before you purchase it. You have to base your decision on other
factors such as layout, condition and much more. And, of course, the seller is
obligated to disclose the property’s condition that may alert you to issues
such as previous mold, defective water heater or leaky roof. Yet, that still
doesn’t always paint the entire picture. Here are six questions you should
consider asking the seller to gain additional insight about the prospective
home before you make a final decision.
1. Why is the seller selling the house?
This question may help you evaluate
the “real value” of the property. Is there something about the house the seller
does not like? If so, you may be able to adjust the purchase offer accordingly.
2. How much did the seller pay for the home?
In some instances, the answer to this question may help you
negotiate a better deal. However, it is important to remember that the purchase
price is influenced by several factors, like the current market value and any
improvements the seller may have made to the home. The original purchase price
might not have anything to do with the current value of the house.
3. What does the seller like most and least about the
property?
By asking the seller what he or she likes most and least
about the property, you might get some interesting information. In a few cases,
what a seller likes the most about a home might actually be something the buyer
is looking to avoid. For example, if the seller describes his house as being in
a “happening neighborhood,” the buyer might consider this a negative factor
because the area may be too noisy or busy for his or her taste.
4. Has the seller had any problems with the home in the past?
It is also a good idea to ask the seller if he or she has had
any problems with the home while living there. Has the seller had problems with
a leakage from the upstairs bedroom in the past? If so, even if the leak has
been corrected, the floor and walls around the bathroom might have been
damaged. You should check that these items were repaired properly.
5. Are there any nuisances?
Use this question to find out about barking dogs, heavy
airplane traffic or even planned changes to the community, such as a planned
street widening. This may give you insight on why the seller is really moving.
6. How are the public schools in the area?
Because the value of a community is usually greatly
influenced by the public schools in the area, finding out the buyer’s
perception can give you some insight about the quality of the area’s schools.
Knowing all you can about a
prospective home will help you make a more informed decision as well as offer. Your
real estate professional can be a great resource in helping you get your key
questions answered and give you advice on how to evaluate your findings.
Prudential Premier Homes can be reached at (860) 489-1772.
Prudential Premier Homes is an
independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates,
Inc., a Prudential Financial company. Equal Housing 