Questions To Ask When Buying A Home

You've decided to go ahead and buy a home, but where do you start? Questions to ask when buying a home are key and here are a few pivotal ones.

Questions To Ask When Buying A Home

There are plenty of questions that can be asked when buying a home. While you will find a list of questions that apply to any situation below, you shouldn't stop with this list.

The home buying experience is a personal one. You need to strongly consider your tastes and how they translate to a home. If you're going to be living in the home for many years, it is important that you don't compromise for something you will be unhappy with. It is also important to consider what you need both now and in the future. What you need now may not be what you need in the future, particularly if children are a part of your plan. The primary point I am trying to make is give it some serious thought before you start looking at homes.

1. How long do you intend to live in the home? If it is only for a few years, you should look at the home more as an investment than a place that matches your tastes.

2. How big of a house do you need now and in the future?

3. What section of town do you want to live in? Pick a few and try to stick to them. Don't panic because nothing appropriate is on the market today. It may be tomorrow. There is no rush. Buying in another area may lead to buyer's remorse.

4. If you have or will have kids, where are the best school districts?

5. What is the crime rate in the areas you are interested in?

6. Are there train tracks or airports nearby them and will noise be an issue?

7. Has a prospective house been on the market for over three months? If so, the seller may be flexible on pricing and other issues. If not, the seller is probably very inflexible.

8. What are the property taxes on the home now and when you buy? Don't be surprised!

9. Are there any fees such as Mello Roo's and association fees in the area?

10. If you're looking in a community, are there any restrictions on what you can do with your home in regard to improvements, landscaping and so on?

11. Are there any easements on the property allowing third parties to do things to it?

12. Has the home been in escrow, but fell out? If so, why? 

13. How old is the house?

14. Are there any methane, radon or lead paint issues with the home?

15. Are there grocery stores and the like close by or do you have to drive 20 minutes to get to anything? When you have to get something at the store in the middle of the night, this will become a big issue.

16. How is traffic? Is the home on or close to a high traffic street with lots of noise?

17. How is the commute to work? If you aren't buying close to your place of work, a long commute can become extremely aggravating.

These are just a few questions to ask when buying a home. Give some thought to your situation, tastes and lifestyle. Once you do, more questions will come to mind.

View Homes For Sale In Your Area