With there being so many houses on the market in Sarnia-Lambton, how can you be sure to find “the one”? Purchasing a home requires research and asking the right questions! To help you, The Ryan Realty Group is back to chat with you about important questions we always share with our buyer clients when purchasing a home!
We all know the “big picture” questions...How long has the house been on the market? How much have homes sold for in the neighborhood? and how is the neighborhood?
But there are some questions you may not be as familiar with like is the home in a flood zone or prone to other natural disasters? or what’s the history of past insurance claims? These are all questions that, as your realtor, The Ryan Realty Group will make you aware of and help ensure you have as much knowledge of the home you are looking to purchase as possible!
We have outlined some of the most common questions that we ask every single time before making an offer.
#1: What is my budget?
This question is often looked over due to assumptions. “Well my house would probably sell for this.... and I have this much saved... and if I just sold this… I could afford this...”. These are sentences we hear way too often in real estate. You should never assume! At The Ryan Realty Group, we ensure our first recommendation for any buyer is to get pre-approved. This gives you, your realtor and the seller confidence and validation that you aren’t wasting anyone's time.
There are more things to consider than purchasing the home itself. Try not to max your budget out on the listing price. Keep in mind there are additional costs to consider, such as closing costs, property taxes, homeowners insurance, homeowners association dues, ongoing home maintenance and any renovations you want to do.
#2: Why is the seller leaving?
As a buyer, it’s always a good idea to try and find out why the seller is moving. Are they looking to downsize? Are they moving for work? Knowing the reason for the sale can help determine the urgency of the sale and the caliber of negotiating that you can bring to the table. A good buyers agent will find out this information for you and will determine the level, if any, of negotiation they will accept. A motivated seller who needs to move immediately, needs a quick closing date, or whose home has been on the market for a while is more likely to negotiate than someone who isn’t in a rush to move.
#3: Have they done any work on the house?
This is important to understand for many reasons. In Sarnia-Lambton we have bylaws and codes that we must respect. Just because someone lists their home stating certain things, does not mean that it lines up with the description of the home. Make sure to ask for the original manufacturer warranties on any appliances or systems that have been replaced. Be sure to ask how old the roof is. You don’t want to move in just to find out you need to fork out more thousands of dollars to replace the roof. Your lender may also be less inclined to lend you the money and may require the roof to be repaired before you can receive the loan. Save yourself the grief ahead of time and be sure to ask the right questions!
#4: What’s included in the sale of the home?
Often the listing will contain a “Inclusions” and an “Exclusions” box. Here you will find fixtures that are chattels that are included in the sale and fixtures that are excluded from the sale. Always be sure to double-check this. Most fixtures come with the sale of the home, including kitchen cabinets and blinds. However, don’t be mistaken, not everything you think will stay- will. Be sure to always ask.
Make sure to ask what is and isn’t included with the sale of the home. Do you really want the washer and dryer, or the stainless-steel refrigerator? Ask if the seller will throw these items into the deal. We often see lots of compromises like these here in Sarnia-Lambton!
These are only some of the dozens of questions we ask for our buyer clients. Always be sure to educate yourself before making an offer. Ask the right questions, do your homework, research the home, the neighbourhood, the area. Are there parks nearby, what school zone am I in, where is the nearest grocery store, how long is my commute to work, etc.
The Ryan Realty Group prides itself on having top knowledge of real estate, bylaws and the local community of Sarnia-Lambton. Are you currently looking to buy? Sign up today to receive active local listings straight to your email, matching all of your wants and needs: https://www.sarniaproperty.com/hot-new-listings
