How to Know You’ve Found the Perfect House for Sure

Think you’ve found the perfect house to buy? But how do you know for sure it’s the perfect one?

Brooklyn Brownstone
How do you know you’ve found the perfect house? Ask the right questions.

Purchasing a home is one of life’s biggest undertakings. And there are lots of questions you need to ask before you make an offer on a home. Asking the right questions lets you know for sure you’re making a competitive offer on an affordable home that meets your needs long-term.

15 Questions to Ask About the Perfect House You’ve Found

Knowing the right questions to ask before making a competitive offer on a home with confidence takes research, good research. And according to bankrate.com, these are the fifteen questions you must ask and research the answers to.

1. What’s my total budget?

One common mistake homebuyers make is buying more house than they can afford. And this goes beyond budgeting for a monthly mortgage payment. There are property taxes, homeowners insurance, homeowners association dues, home maintenance and repair costs, and the cost of renovations to consider in addition to the price of a home.

Also, if you want your offer on the perfect house you’ve found to be accepted, get preapproved for a mortgage. This does three important things:

  • Gives you an idea of what you can afford
  • Shows the seller you have the financial means to buy their house
  • Assures the real estate agent that you are a qualified buyer and that you’re not wasting the seller’s time

2. Is the home in a flood zone or prone to other natural disasters?

If you’ve found the perfect home that’s in a flood zone or other natural disaster area, additional insurance coverage may be required. A property that’s in a flood zone or other natural disaster area may require additional insurance coverage. Homes located in federally-designated, high-risk flood zones require flood insurance. You can research whether or not a property is in a high-risk flood zone using FEMA’s Flood Map Service.

3. Why is the seller leaving?

Knowing the answer to this question could help you gauge how flexible or not the seller is. If they are downsizing, relocating for a job or because a major life event occurred for them, they may be highly motivated to sell and very willing to negotiate. A seller who needs to move quickly is much more willing to negotiate than one who isn’t in a hurry to move.

4. What’s included in the sale?

Modern kitchen

Cabinets, faucets, and window treatments, such as blinds and curtains, ceiling fans – anything that’s considered a fixture is typically included when purchasing a house. However, this depends on your state’s laws. Don’t assume that there are items included with the home. They just might not be. Listing descriptions are supposed to list exclusions the seller isn’t including in the sale. But since that’s not always the case, you should ask in your offer what is and isn’t included with the home, (like the washer and dryer or that stainless-steel refrigerator, for example).

5. Were there any additions or major renovations?

When you know a home’s major repair and renovation history, you can understand the seller’s asking price and even gauge its true condition. In some cases, sellers have a file available full of everything that has anything to do with the house. But in most other cases, this just isn’t so.

Sometimes property records and listing descriptions don’t always match up. For example, if a home is advertised as having four bedrooms, but one of those rooms is a non-conforming addition that doesn’t follow local building codes, it isn’t really a four-bedroom home.

  • Ask about major repairs or renovations the seller has done since owning the home
  • Request the original manufacturer warranties on any appliances or systems if those have been replaced

6. How old is the roof?

Roofs are necessary and expensive. If you must replace the roof of the perfect house you’ve found soon after you purchase it, you’ll spend thousands of dollars. Avoid this costly scenario. Ask about the roof’s age.

Also, if the roof has existing damage, your lender may require that it be repaired in order to approve your loan. Ask the question and check it out.

7. How old are the appliances and major systems?

Here’s where you ask about essential systems and appliances such as the air conditioner, furnace, water heater, washer, dryer, and stove. When you understand the anticipated lifespan of the essential systems and appliances, you can anticipate major repair or replacement expenses.

Have they already reached the end of their lifespan? Then ask the seller to purchase a home warranty. In certain instances, this can help cover the replacement costs.

8. How long has the house been on the market?

The amount of flexibility to negotiate a deal is reflected in the length of time a house has been on the market. The longer it’s been on the market, the more motivated the seller will be to make a deal. By asking this one question, you might be able to negotiate the price, contingencies, terms, and even credits to replace old carpet or other noticeable issues.

Brooklyn neighborhood

9. How much have homes sold for in the neighborhood?

Research the current local market. This helps you determine whether or not the seller’s asking price is too high or right on target. Listing data for similar homes on the market now or sold within that past six months give you a great basis for comparison. This in turn helps you gain confidence in negotiating the price of the perfect house you’ve found or asking the seller to pay for some of the closing costs. Your real estate agent can pull the comparable listing data for you.

10. Are there any health or safety hazards?

Health of safety hazards? I bet you hadn’t thought about asking this question. Am I right? This question is asking about things such as lead paint, radon, mold, or other major hazards. These health or safety hazards can be costly to fix. And they can stall your loan approval.

If there have been past issues,

  • Ask the seller to provide documentation
  • Find out exactly what was done to resolve those problems

This is an important question to ask because you might need to pay more for these types of specialized services If a home inspector suggests additional testing.

11. What’s the history of past insurance claims?

Bankrate.com recommends you get a copy of a Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange, or C.L.U.E., report from the seller. A C.L.U.E. report allows you to see if there have been any homeowners insurance claims filed in the last seven years. It gives an insight into what, if any, damage the home has been through due to weather or vandalism. A home inspection doesn’t usually catch these kinds of damages to a home. And sellers might fail to mention them.

12. What are the neighbors like?

Yes, get to know the neighbors before you make an offer on the perfect house. To get the true feel of the neighborhood, ask the seller:

What are the neighbors like? Are they noisy or quiet?

Is it a pet-friendly neighborhood?

Are the existing neighbors friendly or do they keep to themselves?

Take a drive around the neighborhood and stop and talk with neighbors. They’re an excellent way to get to know about the community surrounding the perfect house you’ve found.

13. How is the neighborhood?

Brooklyn neighbors

Unlike a house, a neighborhood can’t be changed or fixed if you don’t like something about it. So it’s important that you like its community amenities, crime statistics, school ratings, and the amount of traffic there is on the street where you’ll be living.

Research the neighborhood’s schools, homeowners association rules (if applicable), nearby parks and other amenities online. And research the amount of time your commute to work will take.

14. Are there any problems with the house?

A disclosure form listing any known defects must be provided by a seller. Those defects you don’t know about could mean major issues for you later. This is why a home inspection is critical! As soon as a purchase agreement is signed, hire a professional home inspector and get a home inspection done.

A home’s overall condition is outlined in the inspection report. You can then negotiate future concessions for repairs or back out of a deal without penalty providing you included a home inspection contingency. And when this happens, your earnest money will be returned in most cases.

15. How much will I pay in closing costs?

And finally, research and ask about what is included in the closing costs, because the down payment isn’t the only money you’ll be paying someone on closing day. You are also responsible for closing costs.

You should expect to pay 2 to 5 percent of the home’s purchase price in closing costs. But depending on your area, this percentage can vary.

Closing costs include:

  • Loan origination fees
  • Third-party fees for title research
  • Fees for processing the paperwork
  • Appraisal fees
  • Administrative task fees

Lenders are required to provide you as a buyer the closing disclosure three business days before closing. It outlines all your loan fees and how much total cash you need to close.

And Now You’re a Homeowner!

Yes, when you think you’ve found the perfect house, you’ll know it because you asked the right questions and made an offer with confidence. You’ll sign the closing documents, pay the closing costs and fees on closing day, and move into the home you love!

Contact me, Charles D’Alessandroyour Brooklyn Real Estate Agent with Fillmore Real Estate. I help buyers find the home of their dreams and guide them in their research during these challenging times.

Our office is completely shut down and committed to your safety during the COVID-19 health crisis in compliance with the State of New York public health policies. I can be reached by phone at (718) 253-9600 ext. 1901 or by email at [email protected].


Charles D'Alessandro

Charles D’Alessandro
Your Brooklyn Real Estate Agent
718-253-9600 ext. 1901

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