Buying a Home? Some Questions You Should Be Asking.

What’s Your Budget?

First, you need to look at how much you can afford. You don’t want to waste your time looking at houses you can’t buy. Of course, the sales price is the biggie, but aside from that you should consider any renovations, property tax, insurance and maintenance. When you’re ready to start looking, you should go ahead and get pre-approved for a mortgage. That way, when you’re ready to buy, you can make an offer.

Have There Been Any Major Renovations?

You’ll want to know if there have been any changes to the house and to make sure that those renovations were done properly.

How old is the roof, systems, and appliances?

Do not set yourself of for costly replacements. If some things need to be replaced, make sure that it’s reflected in the price of the home.

How Long Has the House Been on the Market?

If the home has been for sale for a long time, this could give you more room to negotiate as the seller may be more motivated.

What is the Neighborhood Like?

Check out the neighborhood at different times of the day. You may even want to walk around the neighborhood and chat with neighbors to get a feel for the community.

What is the Monthly Cost of Utilities?

Make sure that you know what you’re getting into and that the cost of utilities won’t set you over your monthly budget.