When you’re about to put your hard-earned money into a home, you want to know everything you can about that home’s history. While there are common questions to ask about a home’s condition, history, and location, there are some questions buyers often overlook. Use these questions, and they can help you get to the bottom of potential pitfalls.
- Have you ever had asbestos removed from the home? Old heating ducts, ceilings, and even certain types of flooring can contain asbestos. If they’ve had asbestos removed, follow up with how it was removed. A certified professional should always do the removal process to avoid releasing asbestos fibers into the air.
- What’s the average monthly utility bill? This question will give you an idea of how much it will cost to heat and cool the home and power any appliances.
- Has there ever been mold remediation in the home? Mold can cause respiratory problems, so you’ll want to know if the house has had any mold issues.
- When was the last time the septic tank was pumped? A septic tank needs to be pumped every 3-5 years, so this question will give you an idea of when you’ll need to budget for that expense.
- Who are your current trash and recycling providers? This simple question can save you a lot of headaches down the road. You don’t want to discover that your new home doesn’t have trash service or that you must pay extra for recycling.
- Has the home been tested for lead? If the home was built before 1978, it’s likely to have lead-based paint. Lead can harm your health, so you’ll want to know if there are any lead hazards in the home.
- Were renovations adequately permitted and inspected? If the home has undergone any recent renovations, you’ll want to ensure they were properly permitted and inspected. Otherwise, you could be responsible for any code violations.
While these questions may not seem like the most exciting part of buying a home, they’re essential to ask nonetheless. You can avoid any unpleasant surprises down the road by getting the answers to these questions. Due diligence is vital! I have years of experience in asking these questions. Give me a call if you need help!
Tim as one of the top agents in the business. He takes the time to discover his client’s wants and needs and also educating them with all the details. With strong market awareness, and knowledge of numerous home financing options, he guides his clients through the home buying process with ease. Tim believes that honesty and attention to the needs of the clients has been key to his success and continues to provide both home buyers and sellers with the best representation possible. Tim provides services to both buyers and sellers from existing homes to new construction.