What Buyers want to Know When Looking at Your Home

Selling a home? We outline some of the most common questions homebuyers ask their agents. Selling a home can be an intimidating process. As a seller, you will likely face many questions from potential buyers, so knowing how to answer them is essential. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most common buyer questions and our tips for answering them.

Why is the owner selling?

Buyers always want to know this. Experienced agents will let their buyers know that the reason is irrelevant. You need to let your agent know if you want them to answer this, and if so, how. Sometimes what the buyer is really asking is if there is a problem with the home or the location. Sometimes they are looking for something to use in a negotiation. In any case discuss this with your listing agent.

In a sellers’ market, when inventory is low and houses are moving quickly, this is usually not a question. However in a normal market or a buyer’s market this often comes up.

Are taxes going to increase?

If you know that your town or city is going through a real estate reassessment during the time that your property is listed, or the tax mil rate is going to be changing, please remind your agent. If, as a result, there is a tax increase prior to the house being sold and/or the mil rate is changed, the listing agent needs to be sure to provide that change on the Multiple Listing Service and/or alert the buyer’s agent prior to the closing. Each town and city have different timeframes for property reassessments. sign and go back to looking for different homes to buy in Fairfield County, CT or another area.

What kind of upgrades were done recently?

To maximize your sale price, you want to make sure that a buyer knows what you have done to improve your home while you have lived there. Certain things are considered maintenance, however adding finished square footage to the home, new mechanicals, new roof, renovations, appliances, adding a bath, adding a garage, finishing a basement are all things to let buyers know about.

Have permits been pulled for upgrades?

When you let buyers know about upgrades, the natural follow up question is whether permits have been pulled. Not everything needs a permit, and there are instances where items are grandfathered in, but do not assume that something you did without a permit is OK. Too many closings have been delayed due to lack of proper permitting. Talk with your attorney or realtor about this.

Did someone die in the house?

As a homeowner you are required to disclose known material facts about the house. This means anything that would affect the value of the property and/or pose a danger; structural issues, leaking roof, soil issues, etc. You are not required to disclose whether someone died in the house unless the buyer submits a request in writing asking you about this.

Selling your home can be easier when you are prepared and have an expert realtor by your side. With these tips in mind, you and your realtor should be in good shape for negotiations.

We can help you find the perfect homes to buy in Fairfield County, CT – contact Ellen, the five-star best real estate agent in Fairfield County, CT.