7 Important Questions to Ask While House Hunting

Are you in the market for a new home? House hunting can be an exciting time—as well as disappointing when houses you love go under contract with another buyer—but in spite of the emotional roller coaster ride that house hunting can be, it pays to keep a level head and pay attention.

Yes, it’s easy to get sidetracked with strange paint color choices (chartreuse, really?) or the owner’s strange 1960’s decorating style, but don’t get too distracted by the wild color patterns on the sofa and keep these 7 important questions at the ready during your next showing or open house. 

1. How Old is the Roof?

 

A new roof can cost new homeowners big time—an average of $6000-10,000. Asking about the age of the roof will give you a good idea how long it will be before you’ll need repairs. You may also need to budget for the expense of a new one.

If the home has regular asphalt shingles, these need to be replaced every 15-20 years. If the shingles are top-of-the-line, you can assume 24-30 years. Metal will last 30-45 years, concrete tile, 35-50 years, and wood shakes, 20-40 years.

If the age of the roof is unknown, look for bare spots and curling shingles, a sign a replacement is in order. Also, while you're house hunting, look to see if roof nails are exposed. This would signal an expensive roof leak that you want to avoid.

2. When was the House Updated?

Other costly replacements when purchasing a home are the main systems in the house, like heating an a/c units, as well as plumbing and electrical that may need updating. Other considerations to ask about in relation to the house systems are the size of the water heater (and how old), if the sewer has ever backed up, and if there is a septic system find out when it was last pumped.

When asking about the systems and appliances during the house hunting process, make sure to find out if the owner has kept the warranties and documentation. Keeping these papers will help you plan for replacement, but it also shows that the previous owner was careful in maintaining the house. 

3. What are the Monthly Utility Costs?

Only you know what a comfortable monthly budget for utilities is for you, so make sure you know what you can expect to pay after you move in—that way, no surprises.

Remember to consider that homeowners use utilities differently, so consider the size of their family versus yours, as well as your own preferences for how you like to keep your house—if you turn up the heat and a/c frequently, your bill could be considerably higher than theirs or vice versa.

Be sure to get an average cost of utilities throughout the year and not just one bill, which may be the lowest month. Ask what the peak months are.

Ask about the energy efficiency of the house appliances to be aware of where you can improve efficiency should you purchase the house. Observe if there are air leaks in need of sealing or if the windows need replaced—replacing windows and sealing leaks will add up to more utility savings. 

4. How much Insulation is in the Attic?

Finding out how much insulation is in the home’s attic will help you decide if you need to invest in more. Upgrading the amount of insulation in your home help save on energy costs. The US Department of Energy recommends adding more if the thickness is less than 11 inches.

Tip: If the realtor or owner is unsure of the amount of insulation, check to see if the attic floor is insulated while you're out house hunting. If you can see the tops of the ceiling joists, you should budget an insulation.

5. Has the House had a Pest Infestation? 

 

Owners are required to disclose infestations in the home disclosure that you receive when you are looking at the house, but any infestations should be considered in your purchase decision, since it could be a warning sign that you could have future issues.

If the house has had an infestation in the past and there are signs of damage, be extra diligent about making sure that the conditions that made the house susceptible to bugs have been eliminated. Look for leaks in the house, water damage to the structure, or soft rotting wood. Ask neighbors to find out if the problem is widespread.

When making your offer on the house, consider the cost of pest extermination and regular prevention in your budget. Also, consider repairs to the framing and siding to prevent infestations. 

6. How Long has the Home been on the Market?

Asking how long the property has been on the market—along with how long similar properties are on the market before they sell—helps you to determine what to offer for the home.

A property that has just been listed will probably not take a low offer and the sellers will not yet be in a situation where they are motivated to see quickly. In some cases, a seller may be motivated to sell quickly, and asking about why the sellers are moving may help determine their motivation level, but realtors and owners are not always willing to disclose that information.

In the case that the property has been on the market for a while without many offers, there is a good chance the sellers may be open to offers and willing to negotiate. Knowing this information will help you in preparing an offer for the house that is most likely to be accepted. 

7. What are the Comparable Sales in the Neighborhood?

Finding out what the comparable sales are near the home you want to purchase can give you information on which to base your offer. You will want to get comps for properties that were sold within the past 3 months to a year.

When looking at the comps, look closely at the how closely the house compares to the house you are interested in purchasing. Does it have the same number of bedrooms and baths? More square footage? Does it have upgrades that the home you are looking at does not have?

Assessing the sale prices of other homes in the neighborhood will ensure that you are purchasing a home that is within your budget AND a good value. 

There's no doubt that house hunting can be stressful, but the rewards of carefully looking at all aspects of the home can help you to make a well-informed decision that will result in long-term satisfaction with your home purchase. Keep these questions close at hand during your next showing—Happy house hunting!