What am I supposed to ask at an open house?

Unexperienced homebuyers may feel overwhelmed when it comes to house hunting. This is even a challenge for those who have gone through the process once or twice before. It is important to find out as much information as possible before putting an offer in on a house. If your offer is accepted and you don’t have all of the information, you may be in for a shock when it comes time for inspection.

If you are unsure of what to ask at first, it’s a great idea to strike up a conversation with the realtor showing the house. The realtor is there to sell and will offer information that may lend itself to easy questions. You should be sure to ask whether the previous owners have put work into the house and when any renovations were done. If you are looking at an older house and work hasn’t been done in years or at all, you can expect that some repairs will need to be made down the road. Another important question is about your competition. You may want to find out if there have been a lot of other people interested in making an offer so you can have an idea of what to expect when you make yours. One important question to ask is how quickly the current owners are looking to sell. Some people are in more of a rush than others. Sellers who need to be out by a certain date may be more willing to sell quickly and therefore, may accept an offer below asking price.

If you have questions about the home buying process, speak with an experienced real estate attorney who can provide you with assistance.

Joseph Gachko, Esq. is an experienced New Jersey attorney who can assist you in any of your estate or real estate-related legal matters. If you require legal counsel for your real estate matters, please contact The Law Office of Joseph Gachko today to set up a consultation.