Questions to Ask Before Buying a Home

Buying a home is a serious investment, so you want to be sure the home you end up purchasing is worth your hard-earned money. To make sure it's the one, ask these questions before putting in an offer.

What to Ask Before Investing in a Home

Buying a home is no small task. Part of the reason this process takes so long is because of how serious the investment is. You may fall in love with a home on first glance, but there's much more to it than looks. To ensure you get your money's worth, ask these questions before making your final choice.

Why Is the Owner Selling?

This may sound like an intrusive question, but it's very valid. Asking this can help you find out if there are issues with the home that the owner doesn't want to deal with or if they're simply moving away for work. Knowing why the seller is no longer interested in the home can also lead to more questions. For example, if the seller has to move for work, ask when they would be vacating the home. This can be important because you want to make sure your move-in plans align with their move-out plans.

How Long Has the Home Been on the Market?

Knowing how long the house has been on the market can help you learn more about general interest in it. For example, if the home has been on the market for longer than 90 days, there may be some issues or a solid reason why no one is buying. You may discover it needs a lot of repairs, the asking price is too high, or the seller is just very stubborn. In some cases, you can use this information to negotiate the price of the home, especially if the seller is tired of waiting for someone to put in an offer.

How Was the Price Determined?

The price of a home isn't something that is easy to determine, so knowing what has been considered when it comes to its price is important. Sellers may base their price on a home appraisal, on the prices at which similar homes in the area sold for, or their own personal opinion of what the home is worth. Knowing what the price can be broken down into can give you what you need to start negotiating, especially if you think the home is being overvalued. Asking about the home's title is also a must. You want to be sure the home's title is free of clouds that can cause issues for you if you decide to purchase the property. To run a title search and secure your investment, purchasing title insurance at closing is a must. To learn more about the importance of title insurance, contact the title experts at Riva Title Company by calling 786-787-7888.

What Does the Price Include?

You may assume everything you see comes with the home or may think that the home will be handed over to you with certain amenities, but this isn't always the case. Instead of assuming it comes with everything you want, ask what the home actually comes with. Remember that closing costs and other repairs can also be negotiated into the price, so ask about these as well.

What Condition Is the Home In?

The home may look perfect on first glance, but this doesn't mean anything. Of course, a home inspection is a must, but before you get surprised by the report, ask the seller what the condition the home is in. Ask about maintenance and don't be afraid to ask for receipts. Asking about appliances and certain systems in the home are a must. Ask when the roof will need to be replaced, when the water heater was last replaced, if there have been any foundation issues, or if any pipes have burst and caused water damage.

What Is the Area Like?

Finally, don't forget to ask about the area where the home is located. Ask about the neighbors, how loud they are, and what the neighborhood is like. You can also about the schools in the area, crime rates, and safety concerns. You can also ask about any potential nuisances, like heavy traffic during rush hour right in front of the home or current construction nearby.

Purchase Title Insurance in Miami, FL

If you've found a home that is right for your needs, don't close on it without first purchasing title insurance in Miami, FL. To protect your investment, contact the title insurance experts at Riva Title Company. Give them a call at 786-787-7888 to learn more about the importance of title insurance.