Home Buyers September 26, 2023

Questions Your Agent (And Yourself) Should Ask When Looking For A Home?

 

Here is what I always tell my clients. I’d rather ask you 500 questions and show you 5 homes than to ask you 5 questions and show you 500 homes. This way, I am not wasting your precious time and honestly, the more an agent know about you, the better they can help. These are the questions an agent should be asking you when you’re looking for a home.

 

What are the most important things you want to accomplish with your move?

This would give your agent an idea what your non negotiables might be. It tells your agent what is important for you so that the agent can make sure that those important things are taken care of.

 

What were some of your favorite parts of the home you grew up in?  Why?

Most people love the home they grew up in. There’s some sort of nostalgia attached to the memory. Sometimes this helps you remember things you like or don’t like that you may have forgotten. I love this question! I had a client remember sitting on her front porch drinking lemonade growing up. Guess what home she bought? One with a front porch with railings and everything. Super cute!

 

In your current home, what are the “things” about it that you like best?  Why?

These may be things you’d like on your next home.

 

What are the “things” about your current home that you like the least?  Why?

So that your agent can make sure your next home do not have these “things”.

 

What is your favorite room in a home?  Why?

It tells your agent that this room is special. Your agent might want to make sure that his favorite home is exactly how you like it.

 

How large of a home did you have in mind?  Why?

I always find out the size of the home my client lives in prior to asking this question. If they tell me they like their next home bigger or smaller than their current home, then I have an idea.

 

What style of home did you have in mind?  Why?

As an agent, I want to know how to narrow down the style of the home you like and why. I had a client who insisted on a single story home because of his elderly mom. I asked him if I find him a two-story home with a bedroom downstairs, would that work? He said yes. He ended up buying a two-story with the main bedroom and an extra bedroom downstairs. This is why you ask questions.

 

What do you consider to be the opposite of that style and how would you feel?  Why?

There are some styles that home buyers absolutely do not like and as agents, we want to know so we do not show you those style of homes.

 

How you’d like your next home to look?

Maybe you want a home that has an open floor plan, you agent would need to know this. Maybe you like to entertain therefore you need a big island. Maybe you like low maintenance so you want a smaller backyard.

 

What are the most important features to you?  Why?

Your agent would want to make sure to find you the home that have these features.

 

What are the three “things” you can’t live without?  Why?

This tells your agent your non-negotiables.

 

What is the one “thing” you absolutely would not give up?  Why?

Here’s a scenario, I had a client who said they hate carpet and they don’t want it, it’s non-negotiable. So then I ask, “If I find you a home that has everything you want and need but has a carpet, you would pass on that home? She said no. She said she’ll consider it. That is not non-negotiable. Non-negotiables are things you absolutely would not give up.

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What requirements would you consider for your other family members?  Why?

Agents want to make sure all of yours and your family’s needs are met, not just the actual buyers themselves. If you have dogs, dog parks might be a requirement for you. If you have kids, school may be important. They are not the home buyers but their needs still has to be met.

 

What hobbies and leisure activities do we need to consider?

Your agent would want to make sure those amenities are nearby and not an hour away. That way, you’ll love your home and the location too.

 

Do you have any pets?  Are there any special requirements?

If you have horses then your agent needs to know if you want a home where you are allowed to have horses or are you going to board your animals? Some people want bigger backyards for their dogs, some don’t.

 

Do you have any school requirements?

Even if you do not have a kid, this needs to be asked because we do not know what your plans for the future may be especially if you are planning on staying there for a long time. Your agent do not want assume things because you know what they say when you assume things.

 

Do you have any special furniture that we need to accommodate?

You want to make sure this special furniture has a place in your new home.

 

How do you feel about decorating or making repairs on a home?

You might prefer a home that is out of this century so you can get a deal and renovate the home yourself so your agent would need to know.

 

Do you want to buy a new construction home?

Some home buyers assume that new homes would not need major repairs in the near future so they prefer a new construction home.

 

What areas and or cities are considering? Why?

This would narrow down the area for you and your agent to work on. Knowing the why might allow your agent to suggest a different area that you have not thought of.

 

How many bedrooms and bathrooms are you looking for?

If there are 3 people living in the house, your agent is not going to assume that you only need 3 bedrooms. You may need an office space or a gym room.

 

How do you feel about HOAs?

HOA communities offer many benefits such as amenities, security and it ensures that the home owners maintain a specific level of presentability and decorum according to its rules and regulations. The drawback is its rules and regulations, the fees and homeowners’ lack of control over certain things with regards to their property. Some people are for it. Some people are against it.

 

How many car garages?

How many cars do you have? Do you have “toys” you’d need to store in your garage? Do you need a big enough garage space for your RV or are you planning on storing it somewhere else?

 

Is there anything I missed?

There may be things you are considering that your agent has not addressed. This is the perfect time to bring those up.

 

The point of these questions is to find out as much as possible about you in order to be able to help you find the right home for you and your family. Depending on your answer, your agent might ask additional questions. The goal is to find out as much as possible about you and other people who will be living in the home to better help you.

 

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