What Questions Should You Ask Before Buying a House?

If you had to describe buying a new house in Wake Forest in one word, it might be “exciting.” If you were allowed to use two words, though, you might also add “scary,” “overwhelming,” or even “nerve-wracking.” That’s okay and totally normal. When all of these emotions combine, it can be really difficult to ensure you are getting all of the information you need. 

Buying a house is complicated. If you don’t pay attention, you could get in so far over your head that you end up running out of money or at the very least stuck in a home that’s not a good fit for your lifestyle in the long term. You may forget to ask important questions, and then kick yourself later on for not finding out sooner. We don’t want this to happen to you! That’s why we’ve put together a quick list of important questions you’ll want to make sure you ask when buying a new house.

#1 How old is the roof?

A roof is a major expense, one of the biggest associated with home ownership. It is critical to consider how much it will cost you on top of your down payment and closing costs if it’s old and needs repairs sooner rather than later. If the roof is old, you may be able to get the asking price taken down to cover the cost.

#2 How much are closing costs?

There’s a lot of budgeting involved in buying a house, from your monthly mortgage to your downpayment. Another home-buying question you should ask involves how much you will pay for closing costs. You’ll likely pay around 2% to 5% of your home’s purchase price. If you’re buying a $300,000 home, you could have anywhere from $6,000 to $15,000 in closing costs. That’s not something you have lying around! For this reason, you will want to make sure you save up a separate amount for closing costs before agreeing to buy a house in Wake Forest. 

#3 What is the cost of utilities?

If you can’t afford the monthly bills, you can’t afford the house! The ongoing cost of living in your home is just as important as your mortgage payments. This is why you will want to get a sense for what your monthly utilities will cost. Every family uses more or less water and electricity than others, but you’ll want to get a general idea so you can best prepare.

#4 Are the appliances in good condition?

This is similar to the roof situation mentioned above. If the water heater, washer and dryer, and HVAC are old, you’ll want to know this so you can factor in the cost of replacing them. Ask how old they are and how well they perform. It’s important to remember that not all the appliances may be yours after the sale, though. This brings us to our next point…

#5 What is included in the sale?

You don’t want to move into a new home and realize on your first night that you have no washing machine. Many sellers leave behind large appliances like washers and refrigerators, but not all do. This could also include light fixtures, large area rugs, and window treatments. Make sure you know exactly what comes with the house. If the sellers are taking things with them, add these items to your budget as you’ll need to replace them.

Clearly, there is a lot to keep in mind when buying a house in Wake Forest. If you’re not an experienced home buyer, or even if you are but it’s been more than a few years since you’ve last done it, you probably don’t know everything that should go into your home buying decision. One thing you don’t need to worry about is which neighborhood to find your perfect new home in. The answer is obvious- Holding Village! Our homes are some of the best in the area, but that’s not all there is to love about our community. People come to Holding Village for the desirable new homes, but they stay for the amenities like the pool, lake, parks, and trails. Living here brings back the simple joys of being in a neighborhood you love, in a home you know you made the right decision in buying.