Sellers Advice: Three Most Common Questions a Home Buyer Will Ask

If you are ready to put your home on the market and welcome prospective buyers to look around here are a few things to keep in mind.

Firstly, the buyer is someone who will live in the house and although it is hard to emotionally detach yourself from your home and ensure every question asked is responded to with honesty and thoroughness from both you and your agent it is surprising how many sellers and agents hide small details that then end up with the buyer being unhappy and making a formal complaint with the agent.

Through experience, all buyers have asked these common questions.

Why Are You Selling?

The buyer will want to know if you are a motivated seller. If they feel there is no rush, and they are less likely to get a good deal they will move on. If you are moving because of financial reasons or relocating due to work or a child’s education, they will feel the situation is more urgent and will make a serious offer due to the fear of missing out.

What Is the Neighbourhood Like?

Most buyers would have done some research on the neighbourhood looking at schools, local amenities, crime rate, and even driven past at various hours during the week to get a feel of the area. In doing this they may still ask your opinion to assess your honesty after all you have lived there longer so be ready to answer this question with specific examples. If you have had a string of break-ins let them know and inform them what you had done to secure the property and what other measures, they could take. If you have a difficult neighbour let them know sometimes neighbours act up over misunderstandings and if this is the case let them know, honesty will not put the buyer off it will just make them aware of potential situations.

How old is the … and have there been any issues with it?

You are going to get questions about things like boilers, water tanks, shared lines, roofs and other major appliances, be as honest as possible and if something is old, make sure you show how you’ve taken care of it. We have experienced a buyer asking for the boiler to be replaced and the seller was happy to do so, or the side alley being insulated. Spending a few thousand pounds to ensure the sale is a no-brainer.

There may be other questions of technical nature, but your agent should be able to advise you on these when you both walk around the property on the appraisal. Some buyers want to hear their answers from the homeowner and not the agent, being prepared will make the idea of a stranger inspecting your home less stressful.

If you are ready to list your property give us a call on 0330 113 5535.