Questions to Ask Before You Make an Offer

Falling for a house is easy. Before you write an offer, it's worth slowing down for a few questions:

  1. Why is it listed? A quick move, a job relocation, an estate sale — the reason can shape how flexible a seller is on price or timeline.
  2. How long has it been on the market? A home that's sat for a while may have more room to negotiate than one that just listed.
  3. What's not included? Appliances, fixtures, and window treatments aren't automatically part of the sale — worth confirming in writing.
  4. What do the seller's disclosures say? Read them closely, and ask about anything that isn't clear before, not after, you're under contract.
  5. What will inspection likely turn up? No home is perfect. Knowing the probable issues going in helps you write a stronger, more realistic offer.

None of this should slow you down for long — it just means your offer goes in with your eyes open. Happy to walk through any of it with you before you write one.