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Top 10 Questions to ask during a home tour.


1.) What is the age of the home?

Knowing the age of the home is important the older the home you may need do some updates and update systems. If a homeowner maintains the home over the years servicing systems, updating the home inside and out this does keep the value of the home up so when it is time to sell the property it makes it easier to sell because the home has been meticulously maintained. Also, the Roof is a big expense if needs to be replaced. Depending if the Roof has leaks or issues you may be able to patch which is less expensive. Knowing the age and condition of the Roof will help you plan for the future.


2.) What is the age of the heating system? Heating, AC, Water Heater systems are very

important in keeping the home warm and cool. The older the system the more money it may cost you to fix and or replace. Ask questions and check if there is service records on the furnace to see if the homeowner keeps up with the servicing. What helps may be the purchase of a home warranty.


3.) Does the Basement get water/moisture? Let your sense of smell and your nose sniff out the moisture/mold in the air but many times there may not be any smell. There can be traces left such as water stains on the walls, floor, or down the bulkhead stairs leading into the basement that can be indications that water has been or continues to exist. Also, if a basement has a sump pump you may want to check to see if water is present and how often the sump pump goes on. It may be every time it rains, occasional or during heavy rains only. Always ask.


4.) Does the Attic have mold? Mold issues in the Attic are a potential health hazard and should be remediated by a licensed mold remediator as well as have the problem taken care of. If you do not take care of the cause of the mold, then the issue may continue to exist and not go away permanently.


5.) How long has the home been on the market? Depending on how many days the home has been on the market matters. The longer the home has been on the market the Buyer may be able to offer less of a sales price, ask for seller concessions, ask for an inspection, and overall try to negotiate more from the Sellers.


6.) What is the estimate of utility costs? Asking the Sellers to provide an estimate of utilities is key. This will help you work out your budget and factor in if the home overall is affordable. Also, it may tell you that the systems may need to be serviced or parts replaced because inefficient working systems can be costly causing high utility bills.


7.) Any signs of pests? You do not want extra visitors in or around the home that can cause problems over time. Have a pest system in place that will keep pests away and potentially less damage to your home.


8.) What type of financing is allowed to purchase the home? Depending if a home needs TLC, little work or no work to live in the home Cash or Conventional are the most popular ways to purchase a home. FHA and VA are also types of financing that in order to purchase property the homes need to be able to pass FHA and VA standards. (Meaning if peeling paint for example an appraiser may flag this that needs to be fixed prior to the home being sold.)


9.) Why are the owner’s selling? This is a good question and should be asked. It may give you the homes history and condition. Some examples may be downsizing, upsizing because need more space, divorce, marriage or moving out of state to name a few. Also, it may help you to negotiate your offer.


10.) How’s the neighborhood? This tells a lot. Although Real Estate Agents are not suppose to comment and refer Buyers to call the local officials and ask about the neighborhood. Buyers should inquire to see if the neighborhood is safe, family, friendly, and walking. Buyers should talk to the neighbors to get a feel for the neighborhood to see if it would be a good fit.

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​​Content provided by Charlotte Marrocco-Mohler Burlington Realtor serving MA & NH

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