Attending open houses should be more than just a casual walk-through of the home. Open houses are the perfect opportunity not only to get a feel for the house, but to also speak directly with the listing agent about detailed information on the home. In order to fully take advantage of this personal meeting, you need to be prepared with questions in advance. Here are our top 5 questions to ask the listing agent at an open house!
5 Questions to Ask The Listing Agent at an Open House
1) How many offers have been made?
Check with the listing agent to see how many offers the home as received, if any. If they’ve received offers, they’ll probably be eager to tell you, with the hopes that you make a competitive offer that will drive up the price. If they haven’t received any offers, you could be the first one to make a solid, strong offer.
2) How long has the property been on the market?
While you can ask your own experienced agent to check and see how long the property has been on the market, you can also ask the listing agent at the open house right on the spot. Perhaps it’s been on the market for a long time, which could work in your favor by allowing you to make a lower offer. Or maybe the house went on the market this week and the sellers have had a lot of interest and expect it to sell quickly. All of this is useful when you’re deciding whether or not to make an offer.
3) Why do the sellers want to move?
Find out why the sellers are moving. If the area is unsafe, the schools are terrible, or the neighbor’s dog never stops barking, their agent is unlikely to tell you. But ask this question anyway and be on the lookout for any hesitation from the listing agent.
4) What is the seller’s timeline?
Sometimes sellers choose a buyer’s offer simply because of timing. Ask the listing agent at the open house what the seller’s timeline is. Perhaps they want to sell quickly, or delay the sale so their kids can finish out the school year. The more you know about what the sellers want, the easier you can craft an offer to work in your favor.
5) How much do utilities cost?
Know what you’re getting into before you make an offer by asking about utility costs. If you’re moving from an apartment into a house, you might be surprised at the hidden costs of homeownership.
Cesi Pagano
(949) 370-0819
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