Walking into a well-staged open house is always a bit of a thrill! When you really start to see the possibilities of a new home, it’s easy to get lost oohing and ahhing over any standout features. But it’s important to keep in mind that a home is much more than a series of walk-in closets and crown molding.
For potential home buyers, nothing is quite as important than asking a few well thought out and hard-hitting questions at open houses in El Segundo. This is truly a golden opportunity to speak directly with the Realtor and gather some incredibly valuable information. So where do you start? Keep reading to learn more about our top questions you should be asking at El Segundo open houses.
8 Questions You Must Ask at Your Next El Segundo Open House
1. What Don’t You Like About This Home?
This is an honest question that begs for an honest answer. It’s also a great way to test the agent to see how they respond. If they ask more about your needs and relate their answer that way, that’s a good sign. Additionally, if they realize that this home may not be a good fit and suggest another El Segundo property, you’ll be one step closer to your dream home!
2. Are There Any Problems With This Home?
While most states require that real estate agents must disclose any code violations or structural issues with potential buyers, sellers aren’t always required to do the same. This is one of the biggest reasons why home inspections are such a good idea.
If you’re really interested in the property, don’t be afraid to ask for a written seller’s disclosure. And depending on how transparent the agent is willing to be, you could learn quite a bit during your initial viewing of the home.
3. Have There Been Any Price Changes?
Homes for sale in El Segundo can sell quickly if they’re priced correctly but that doesn’t always happen right away. A good El Segundo real estate agent will give you the rundown on any previous price drops, including details as to why the seller’s decision to go low. This is very valuable information that can help you to gauge whether or not the price may be flexible.
4. Have There Been Any Recent Improvements?
No one wants to move into a new home only to realize they’re in for months or years of home improvements. If you can find a home that has recently had the roof replaced or a new A/C system installed, you can save yourself lots of time and money down the line.
5. Have You Had Lots of Interest In the Property?
This is an easy way to figure out whether or not you’ll be facing lots of competition if you decide to make an offer. But it’s a good idea to remember that most listing agents will put a positive spin on their answer. So if they reply that there’s been a ton of interest, be sure to counter with a question asking about any actual offers.
6. What Sort of Timeline Are We Looking At?
Knowing whether or not the seller is looking to move quickly can help you figure out whether they might be a bit more flexible on the price. If the seller isn’t motivated to sell quickly, chances are that they’ll be less likely to negotiate with you.
7. How Long Has the Property Been On the Market?
While your El Segundo real estate agent can find this information for you, asking the listing agent means you get more insight into not only how long the home has been on the market but why. If a home’s been sitting around for too long, it’s much more difficult to sell – which could give you the upper hand if you’re looking to bargain.
8. Can We Meet the Neighbors?
It’s a bold request, however, a good one – if you buy the house you’ll also inherit new neighbors. Ask your agent if you can walk through the neighborhood and meet a few of the neighbors. Ask them what it is like living in that part of El Segundo. What do they love? What do they not like? You might also consider asking if the neighborhood has any registered sex offenders.
Bonus Questions
There are a number of additional questions to consider at your next open house:
- Was asbestos ever removed?
- Has the home been tested for lead (built circa 1978)?
- Was there any remediation for mold?
- If additional work has been performed, were permits pulled?
- Which school will my child attend? If you have a child in K-5 they’ll be assigned to Center Street School (CSS) or Richmond Street School (RSS) based on the location of the house. If the house is on the East side of Main St they’ll likely attend CSS. If the house is on the West side of Main St. they’ll likely attend RSS.
Final Thoughts
As you start looking at various homes for sale in El Segundo, make sure you’re ready for a few quick-fire questions to bring with you to your next open house.
Not only should open houses in El Segundo be fun but they should be informative as well! If you have questions prior to your next open house, give John a call at (310) 350-4240.
Learn more about El Segundo real estate:
Expert tips from John Skulick
Homes for sale in El Segundo
Condos for sale in El Segundo
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El Segundo apartments for rent
