What Questions Should a Buyer Ask??

homealone · #1 03-10-2011, 02:27 PM

I am not a home owner, but I know that there are some questions that my other half should have asked before he bought his home.

So I am wondering for all of you who do buy and sell homes what are some things that a home buyer should ask of the real estate agent before deciding on a home to buy??

Also what kinds of things should a real estate agent know about the house and the area it's located in?

I am asking because the home my sweetie bought is practically a money pit. It is horrible. He must not have taken the time to really shop around for a place and this place is falling apart and fast. There is a leak in the roof, the basement floods, the front porch is falling apart and the bathroom in the home is horrible to say the least.

I would rather know what kinds of things to ask and to look for when home shopping so that we don't end up with another money pit in the future.

flip_it_fast · #2 03-11-2011, 02:15 AM

Just a few things that I can think of off the top of my head would be crime rate in the area, school district, new developements and things of that nature.

As for the structure I would have wanted to know if it was in a flood zone, were there any additions and /or construction permits.

Did he have the house inspected before he purchased it? Thats an absolute must!

realestatehound · #3 03-11-2011, 03:43 AM

First and foremost, you must make sure you choose the right Realtor. Anyone can get a real estate license, it only takes 96 class room hours in Ky. and they teach them nothing about selling real estate. I know because I was an instructor in the largest real estate school in Ky. for 3 years. Ask the Realtor how many years they have been in the real estate business? Ask them what a sill plate, border board, reversing valve in a heat pump, or where the eve of the house is. I'll bet money that 6 out of 10 can't answer all those questions. If they don't know the product how can they sell it. Then there response is that, thats what a home inspector is for. Guess what, it only takes 120 class room hours to get a home inspectors license. How can anyone learn enough to do a complete home inspection in 120 hours in a class. If you find the right Realtor they will also have knowledge of construction and should be able to point out most of the visual defects to you. You can blind fold me and take me into 5 houses with one of them having a wet basement and I can tell you which one it is, just by smell. It is in my opinon the Realtor's job to make sure that you get the best home your money will by and to know the right home inspector to send you to so that you get a good home inspection. But the Real Estate Commission strongly suggest that you give the buyers 3 names of lenders, home inspectors and so on. Well I have used one home inspector for years, just because I know that he knows what he is doing. In my opinon you should interview Realtor's until you find one who has been in the business for several years and who has at least some knowledge of construction.

homealone · #4 03-11-2011, 03:48 PM

I seriously wish I would have known about all of this BEFORE he bought his home. He has had nothing but problems with the home and he did have it inspected before buying it and was told that there are no problems with the home.

Now he is dealing with a roof that leaks, a basement that is constantly flooded every time the snow melts or it rains.

Though I will say that if he does decide to sell his place and get a better home I will be able to help by asking the questions that need to be asked, and help him make a better decision on the next one.

Thanks for the information everyone. I will make notes and be sure to use them when the time comes!!