Open house questions

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sure ask all of them. The answers to the first two will likely be lies. The answer to the third might not be a lie but it will be an affirmative answer (because they know that’s what you want to hear) and there won’t be any basis for the agent to give you that answer. But it’s fun to watch agents lie, to dissect their lies, and to try to figure out what truth their lie is trying to conceal, so I would ask the questions also.

By the way, if you want to know why people might be selling, look up property records, find their names, and google to learn as much as you can about them.

What does that info really do for the OP? If the house is being sold after 2-3 years that might be a red flag, but if the owners have had the house for 5-10+ years there are tons of reasons they might be selling. Now if one of them had been murdered in the house that might be relevant info, but if they are moving out of the area, or downsizing, or getting divorced, or whatever, that doesn't seem like that should influence OPs decision.

I agree with you that most reasons won't be useful. But there's a super slim chance that something turns up that would be interesting, like a public social media post about how the house flooded. Or conversely, if they are getting divorced, it might put OP's mind at ease that there are probably no red flags associated with the condition of the house. I view all of this as normal due diligence, just as you should google the address (to find out if, for example, there was crime at the house), as well as walk around the neighborhood at all hours of the day, and also try out the commute. It's a big purchase, so gather as much information as you can.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Talk to neighbors when you attend the open house. They will either come to the open house to snoop or be out in their yards. This has happened at every open house we’ve attended, and they can be a wealth of solicited and unsolicited information.

This is the best answer. We met our next door neighbor after the contract but before the inspection. She had lived there 30 years and knew everything about the house and the seller. She told us a few things that might have affected our bid had we known earlier.

[Anonymous]

Ask anything you want! My agent would have answered all of those qs. Worse they can say is no.
But also hang around the corner and see if anyone walks by with a dog. They may not know the homeowners but they’ll know the neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:1. No, it's not your business.
2. Your agent can ask this
3. Sure, fair question

1. Legitimate question and agent can then turn it back on the buyer to guage motivation

2. Depending what it says in listing agreement, agent can answer or explain seller will not disclose if other offers

3. Violation of Fair Housing laws to discuss composition of neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is OP. Buying a house by spending so much in this area is a big deal for me and I would like to know certain things in advance before making a big commitment. Thanks for letting me know what is considered appropriate and what is not.

Btw I didn't know the agent at the open house is not the seller's agent. I thought they are. Something new I learned then. I liked the idea of driving around to see if there are any signs of having kids in that neighborhood. I am looking for something where my kids can play outside and not be hooked to devices at home.

We bought a house in NoVA a little under a year ago. They often are, actually. It just depends on how busy the seller's agent is. The fancy agents whose name you see everywhere are virtually never the agent at the open house. But some seller's agents, certainly those whose business has less volume, are often at the open house. We are selling a house in a few months and I'm pretty sure our agent will be at ours. But she is semi-retired and nowhere near as busy on weekends as she used to be.

I am an open house nerd and go them Ll the time. The agent who does a lot of business in our neighborhood is generally at the Saturday or Sunday open house. I have heard her handle questions very deftly and she will also ask a neighbor to answer questions about schools and neighborhood. She is very engaging

[Anonymous]

Just remember to treat it like a courtroom - anything you say can and will be used against you.

If it is the listing agent in attendance, they will remember any pertinent information during negotiations if you make an offer. Just as you are free to ask them questions, they can ask them back. Be careful what you disclose.

[Anonymous]

1. Why are the previous owners leaving or selling?

I ask every time and never had any agency refuses to answer it, true or not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:1. Why are the previous owners leaving or selling?

I ask every time and never had any agency refuses to answer it, true or not.

Well of course, it would be strange if the agent did not have an answer prepared to this question. It would be like walking into a job interview and not being prepared to answer the question, “why do you want this job.” But in both settings, the answer does not need to be truthful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:1. Why are the previous owners leaving or selling?

I ask every time and never had any agency refuses to answer it, true or not.

What is the point of the question?
People sell and move on average every 7 years. ( Job changes, divorce, down sizing etc…

[Anonymous]

How to know if there was any break in or theft in the house? Is there county police report available online where we can enter the house and street number and it would show any reports of past thefts or crimes?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are these questions okay to ask at an open house if I have truly liked the house and feel like making an offer.
1. Why are the previous owners leaving or selling?
2. Are there already offers on this house?
3. Does the neighborhood have kids?

Yes! Ask all of these questions!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1. Why are the previous owners leaving or selling?

I ask every time and never had any agency refuses to answer it, true or not.

What is the point of the question?
People sell and move on average every 7 years. ( Job changes, divorce, down sizing etc…

I’ve always received answers. Usually it’s something like: they want more space, they are downsizing, divorce, they want to be closer to work/school/the water/family elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

Our agent said she couldn’t talk about kids, schools, etc… but the neighbors certainly can. We had narrowed it down to a couple houses and then did some random knocking on doors, which was a nightmare for my introverted self. We got great info, though — including photos and videos of some major water and drainage issues that weren’t being fully disclosed at one house. We lucked out in that everyone we talked to was very talkative and forthcoming with info.