First of all, “Can you get me a better deal?” certainly springs to mind – and this is, of course, something that it’s in your interest to ask. However, your real estate agent will no doubt be expecting this question, or some iteration of it, as it’s almost implied from the moment you choose to sell, or spot a property and make contact!
However, there are also numerous other crucial things you should ask – some obvious, some more cunning. Here are a few savvy, key Qs you should ask your real estate agent to A…
When selling a home
Alongside the standard question of how much they will charge, which you may already know, having sifted through local estate agents already, you should certainly ask about any additional costs involved in your sale.
If you haven’t got or already applied for an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), for instance, you’ll certainly need to do so – but the real estate agent may offer to provide one. As this will likely involve an additional cost, you may be able to get one cheaper yourself.
Also, ensure that you’re fully aware of how your property will be marketed and what level of advertising is covered by the estate agent’s percentage of the sale proceeds. Ask which portals your property will be advertised on, if a ‘For Sale’ sign is included and whether things like floor plans and professional photography are also provided – without you having to pay more for the privilege.
When buying a home
Here, rather than simply asking about the lowest price available, you can throw in what would be a sort of communicative curveball by asking the real estate agent how they calculated the price on offer. This question actually makes them tell you more about the property – and, straight away, opens up other lines of questioning.
For instance, if they don’t mention that the area or neighbourhood has been considered, you can ask why. If the quality of the roof is omitted from their explanation, mention it. This way, you can get an idea of any negative aspects of a property that they may not want to mention. For instance, agents are required to disclose noisy neighbour issues when asked, so don’t forget to enquire about what’s in, around and near the property.
Also, be sure to ask about the state of the boiler and how regularly it has been serviced, along with all aspects of the roof – guttering included. If no recent services or inspections have taken place, you could ask about the possibility of having an independent professional let you know if certain elements of the house require attention – and expense.
Gas Safe engineers can be contacted to provide a homebuyer report, and some roofing companies can also provide a similar report – and may offer the service for free if future work is required. All of this can work towards securing you the right deal, so be sure to look out for professional trade businesses near you. Findley Roofing & Building, for instance, is a roofing company in Newcastle that can provide a roof inspection anywhere in the North East of England.
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