Questions Every Homebuyer Should Ask Their REALTOR®

Buying a home can be exciting, overwhelming, and stressful all at once. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or have done this before, you’re likely to have at least a few questions for your REALTOR® regarding the process. Here are just a few of the essential questions to ask your REALTOR® before you sign on the dotted line.



How old is the roof?

You should ask as many questions as possible about the condition of the home if that information hasn’t already been offered up. Asking about the roof is one of the more important questions to ask. Knowing how old the roof is will give you a good idea of how soon you may need to get it repaired and replaced, and that is something you should factor into your budget if the roof is nearing the end of its lifespan.

What’s the history of the house?

There are potentially a lot of things that could have happened to a home over the course of many years. Ask your REALTOR® whether the home you’re looking at has ever had a pest infestation, such as termites, and proof of extermination if possible. A stranger question is if the house has had a “dark” past or any paranormal activity. Such houses fall into the category of what is known in the real estate world as “stigmatized houses” — homes that have been the site of murder, suicide, death due to an unusual circumstance, or ghost sightings. A haunted house may be a draw for a few people, but is a hard pass for the majority.

What are the monthly utility costs?

Since there’s no way to get out of paying utilities once you actually live in the house, ask your REALTOR® to provide you with the average cost of monthly utility bills. You want to make sure you factor that, along with the peak months, into your overall budget.

What costs are due at closing?

Most first-time homebuyers are only thinking about the down payment at the closing time, but there are other costs associated with closing on a home. In addition to the down payment, which can be anywhere from 5 to 20 percent, closing costs may include any attorney fees, real estate agent commissions, home inspection bills, and title insurance.



Buying a home, especially your first home, can often seem to be a daunting task. Real Estate Broker, Nancy Hibler  takes the worry out of buying a home by assisting you in all areas of the home buying process. Her knowledge and experience will put you at ease and ensure you have a pleasant home buying experience that is as stress-free and efficient as possible. Nancy will be there to answer all of your questions and to guide you along every step of the way. Call (815) 263-5791 or email nchibler@aol.com today!

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