Questions to Ask When Viewing a House

Property history

• How long has the home been on the market?
• Have there been price changes, and why?
• Has it been under contract before and fallen through?
• When did the current owners buy it, and why are they selling?
• Has the home been a rental at any point?

Repairs and renovations

• What work has been done in the last ten years?
• Who performed it, and are receipts available?
• Was the work permitted and finaled where required?
• Are any warranties still active, and do they transfer?
• Is there work that was started and not finished?

Roof

• How old is the roof, and is that a full replacement?
• Has there ever been a leak, and what was repaired?
• Who did the work, and is documentation available?
• Have there been insurance claims involving the roof?

HVAC

• What type of heating and cooling does the home have, and how old is each unit?
• When was it last serviced, and by whom?
• Are there rooms that are hard to heat or cool?
• Has any part of the ductwork been replaced or added?

Plumbing

• What are the supply and drain lines made of?
• Has any of it been repiped?
• How old is the water heater?
• Is the home on public sewer or septic, city water or a well?
• Have there been backups, leaks or pressure problems?

Electrical

• How old is the panel, and what is its capacity?
• Has wiring been updated, and which parts?
• Are there known issues with any circuits or outlets?
• Was any electrical work permitted?

Water and moisture

• Has the home ever had water in the basement, crawlspace or living areas?
• Is there a sump pump, and how often does it run?
• Have there been any mold assessments or remediation?
• How does the lot drain during heavy rain?
• Is flood coverage relevant for this location?

Appliances

• Which appliances are included in the sale?
• How old is each one, and are any under warranty?
• Are there known issues with any of them?
• Do the washer and dryer stay?

HOA

• Is there an association, and what is the current fee?
• What does the fee cover, and how often has it increased?
• Are there special assessments pending, current or recent?
• What rules would affect how I use the property?
• Can I see the governing documents and financials?

Utilities

• Which utilities serve the home, and who are the providers?
• Can I see twelve months of utility history?
• Is there any leased equipment such as solar or a propane tank?
• What internet service is actually available at this address?

Property taxes

• What are the current property taxes?
• Are any exemptions applied to the current bill?
• How does reassessment work in this jurisdiction after a sale?
• Have taxes changed significantly in recent years?

Disclosures

• What disclosures are available, and can I have them now?
• Are there any known material defects?
• Have there been insurance claims on the property?
• Is there anything about the property that has surprised past buyers?

Neighborhood considerations

• What is the street like at different times of day?
• Is there any known construction or development planned nearby?
• Are there shared driveways, fences or maintenance arrangements?
• What do the current owners like least about living here?

Items included in the sale

• What exactly conveys with the home?
• Do window treatments, mounts, shelving and outdoor items stay?
• Is there anything the seller intends to remove that I might assume stays?
• Can the included list be put in writing?

Questions requiring follow-up documentation

Some answers only count once you have the paper. Send these in writing and keep the replies with the home's file.

• Permits and final inspections for past work.
• Service records for major systems.
• HOA documents, budgets and assessment history.
• Utility and tax history.
• Warranties and their transferability.
• Survey, easements and title-related items via the appropriate professional.