8 Most Important Questions To Ask At An Open House
An open house is a great opportunity for potential renters. It is their chance to personally look a place up and down and say, “Would I want to live here?” That said, it can be a missed opportunity if you aren’t prepared to ask the important questions. So, what are the questions to ask at an open house? If you’re asking that, you’ve found the first and most important question. Here, we will find some answers.
Open houses can be so important to getting tenants or potential owners into the homes that fit them best. As one of the premiere property management companies in Massachusetts, we acknowledge that there is nothing quite like a person walking through a property – walking around the neighborhood – to help them grow comfortable with selecting a particular house or apartment. Being ready with the right questions to ask the agent, landlord, or owner is essential to getting the information you need to make the right decision. Let’s go over a list of the most important questions to ask at an open house and assess which ones you want to make sure you have ready to go.
Table of Contents
- How many offers have been made?
- Why do the sellers want to move?
- What’s the seller’s timeline?
- Are there any issues with the home?
- How much do utilities cost?
- When was the house last updated?
- Where is the closest grocery store, restaurant, etc>?
- Has the house been tested for mold, radon, lead, or asbestos?
- For Landlords – Consider the Pros For Your Property Needs
How many offers have been made?
When you’re wondering what questions to ask at an open house, you first can take a look at the agent. Does the agent look too happy? Is he or she maybe not giving you the “hard sell” the way you might expect? You might consider the fact that they already have offers on the property.
So ask! That might be the most important question you ask before you get too invested in a property. It could be unavailable in a matter of days or even hours. If the agent has already received offers, they may be eager to share the news with you… in hopes that you’ll bid as well and drive up the price. Make sure to anticipate the conversation by asking her directly how many offers have been made so you can be ready for this. You may enter into a bidding war, or you may decide it isn’t worth it. Deciding that early can save a lot of time and stress.
Why do the sellers want to move?
You might get a muddled answer to this question, but it’s important to ask and try to read between the lines. If the sellers are moving because the area is unsafe, the schools are terrible, or the neighbor practices the drums at midnight, their agent may not come out and say that exactly. But, it is important to get that question out of the way to see what you can tell from the answer. If the owners or previous renters are just moving because they got a job in a different city, you may find that there aren’t any red flags raised in regard to your interest in the house.
What’s the seller’s timeline?
Sometimes sellers choose a buyer’s offer simply because of timing. You never know. Maybe they want to sell quickly because of a job offer. Maybe they want to delay the sale so their kids can finish the school year. The more you can figure out about what the sellers want, the more easily you can work around it. This will give you a little bit of leverage while you put together a tempting offer. If you are wondering what questions to ask at an open house and you factor in how you move forward in any offer you may make, that could inform future questions you have.
Are there any issues with the home?
The seller is required to tell potential buyers about any known structural problems or code violations. Asking this question early can make sure that you have all the information that is needed to make the best decision. It is standard to ask for a written seller’s disclosure, so make sure that you ask for one. There is also the chance that a talkative agent may give you more information that is available in that disclosure, so asking this question could shed further light on the situation.
How much do utilities cost?
While you are wondering what questions to ask at an open house, consider the ongoing costs you may have in that house. As with many of these questions, the goal is to know as much as you can so that you understand what you’re getting into before you make an offer. Ask to see recent utility bills. If you’re moving from a rental to a single-family home, you might be surprised at the impact utility bills have on your budget.
When was the house last updated?
While there may be clearly visible updates, features like the age of the roof and wiring that aren’t easily seen are possibly more important. You might easily see that there are new appliances in the kitchen, but are those covering up more foundational updates or problems under the surface? You might want to come prepared with a list of features you want to inquire about, but you might also be ready with some of them at a later date if you think getting into the fine details at an open house is a bit too much.
Where is the closest grocery store, restaurant, etc.?
Getting directions to a local restaurant or the closest grocery store can tell you a lot about the neighborhood you might live in. Knowing what is within walking distance and how convenient certain types of places are to the house can become a factor for you.
Has the house been tested for mold, radon, lead, or asbestos?
Similarly to other ones raised on this list, it is best to get some basic questions out of the way. Check to see what basic inspections and tests have been done. If these weren’t questions that have already been answered, you want to make sure they are answered. Mold, radon, lead, and asbestos are standard health hazards that are checked, especially for older houses. When considering questions to ask at an open house, you don’t want to let these ones fall through the cracks.
For Landlords – Consider the Pros For Your Property Needs
Both for landlords and potential tenants, the next big step in the process is follow-up. After you have thought about the questions to ask at an open house and you’ve asked them, consider what follow-up is needed. If you’re a landlord, if you don’t hear from them right away, consider sending a follow-up email or making a phone call. This allows you as the landlord to make sure they have no further questions and to potentially receive feedback on the property. If they choose not to apply for any reason, always wish them well in their search. This seemingly small act of kindness can go a long way.
In the case of rentals, finding well-qualified tenants who will care for your property and pay rent on time is a process. However, if you take the time to pre-screen tenants before showings, ask the right questions, and follow up, you could be on the right path to a great tenant. Are you overwhelmed by the idea of all of this? Luckily there are experienced rental property management companies in Boston ready to help! Contact Bay Property Management Group today to see what our full-service experts can do for you.
