There are No Dumb Questions When You're Buying a Home

When you're buying a house for the first time, you're bound to have plenty of questions. Even those who buy and flip houses regularly have a list of questions they ask before and during the transaction. When it comes to real estate, there are no dumb questions when you're buying a house. 

If you're like most buyers, you'll have a million questions on your mind the minute you decide to buy a home. Get in the habit of writing these down, as many of them will need to be asked prior to your home search or listing offer.

10 Questions to Ask Your Agent and Mortgage Lender

1. How can I prequalify for a mortgage or raise my credit score in anticipation of securing a mortgage?
2. How much should I save up when buying a house?
3. How much do you know about this property and neighborhood?
4. What happens if the appraisal comes in lower than the selling price?
5. Are there any drastic changes currently planned for the area?
6. Can you show me comparable homes that have recently sold?
7. What happens if an element of the home fails the inspection?
8. Which contingencies are worth including in the purchase agreement?
9. Why has the home been on the market for an extended time?
10. What should we prepare for closing?

10 Questions to Ask the Seller When Buying a House

Although you might not be able to speak to the seller directly, your agent will be happy to relay any questions you may have. Be honest and open with your agent; they will phrase the questions properly so that you get as much relevant information from the seller as possible.

1. Why are you selling the home?
2. What is the neighborhood like?
3. What are the average utilities?
4. Is there anything that's up for negotiation?
5. What items are included in the sale?
6. Have there been any insurance claims on the home?
7. How old are the appliances and roof?
8. Are there any liens on the home?
9. Is the home prone to damage from natural disasters such as tornados, hurricanes, or flooding?
10. Were there any major renovations or damages to the home?

There are no dumb questions when buying a house. Even if you think the question sounds strange or if you might be embarrassed asking it, confide and trust in your real estate agent. Create a checklist of questions to ask so you can be sure you gain answers to all of your questions. You need to be confident and comfortable in every aspect of this transaction.  Asking questions is key to securing peace of mind.

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