Our real estate market is going through an interesting time with low interest rates and inventory, so today I’m sharing the key questions every buyer should ask their agent before submitting an offer:

How long has the home been on the market? When looking at homes or comps, real estate agents should always check the history. Not only will the MLS tell us how long the house has been on the market but also how many times it’s been on it and at what price. This is a great indication of whether it’s priced correctly or if it’s been reduced a few times.

What are the comparables? You want to know what homes similar to this one in area and floorplan have sold for and how long they were on the market. You want to look at what price they started at and what they sold for. An agent should also look deeper into whether there were any concessions from the seller to the buyer.

 What is your negotiation strategy on the buyer’s side? The answers to some of the above questions could help your agent negotiate shorter time periods for various things in the transaction. The loan contingency is a huge one; the fewer days you take for the loan contingency, the better you’ll stand up against the competition in this extremely competitive spring market.

Are the sellers behind on their property taxes? This will come up when you open the preliminary title report and when in escrow. Knowing this can give you leverage to possibly get a better deal.

What’s under the carpets? This is crucial because you need to know if there’s any damage to the foundation. Once we were looking at an older house, and we didn’t see any cracks at first. However, when we pulled up the carpets, there was a crack in the foundation, which could have cost several hundred thousand dollars to repair, but we minimized it by bringing in a structural engineer to help.

How much are the standard utility costs? What will it cost you for water, electricity, and gas? Is there solar power in the home, etc.? You need to know these expenses before you buy.

If you have questions or real estate needs, please call or email me.

About Danielle Verboski

Whether you are looking for homes for sale or looking for a real estate agent to sell your home, having a dedicated professional who is committed to excellence is essential to a smooth real estate transaction. I am that person! The path to and from home ownership is best traveled with an experienced professional. Let me lead the way and help simplify the process. Born and raised in Connecticut, my level of expertise in the local area and market is unparalleled. With over 12 years experience in the customer service industry, the undivided attention that all clients receive while working with me is what sets me apart from the rest. I am personally committed to each and every one of my clients, no matter what their role is in the Connecticut real estate market.