You probably already have a list of questions to ask the realtors or owners of the homes you’re thinking about buying. But are you asking the right questions? Here are a few questions that you might not yet have thought to ask that can ensure you’re buying the right home for you:
1. Has anyone died in this house?
Most real estate agents probably won’t tell you if someone has died on a property unless you ask them. There may also be a regulation that tells the realtor that they don’t have to tell you if someone died in the house more than five years ago, so don’t be afraid to ask the neighbors, too.
2. Has this house ever been a meth lab?
This might sound like an odd question at first, but this is something you absolutely want to know before you move in, right?
Most homes that have been used as meth labs have to go through a remediation period before someone new can buy the home, but you might still want to know, even if that period is over. This includes cleaning out the air ducts and vents in the home, and much more to ensure there is no hazardous materials in the air inside your home. Even if your realtor says no, you might still want to do your own testing before signing the papers.
Only about five percent of meth labs are ever discovered! Ask Walter White.
3. When was the last time someone broke into this house?
This might be a question for the neighbors, rather than the realtor. Even the nicest neighborhoods experience some level of crime.
You may not want to move into the one house on the block that is being repeatedly targeted by burglars. One known break-in might just be a sign that you want to install better locks and a security system. Multiple break-ins over the past year might be a sign that this isn’t the house for you.
