{"id":71641,"date":"2025-06-05T08:48:02","date_gmt":"2025-06-05T15:48:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/?p=71641"},"modified":"2025-06-11T11:28:28","modified_gmt":"2025-06-11T18:28:28","slug":"questions-to-ask-when-buying-a-house","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/questions-to-ask-when-buying-a-house\/","title":{"rendered":"70 Questions to Ask When Buying a House"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"272\">Buying your first home can feel overwhelming, especially when you\u2019re not sure what to expect. It\u2019s a major investment, and there\u2019s a lot to consider along the way. Asking the right questions early on can help you feel more confident, informed, and prepared at every step.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"274\" data-end=\"427\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\">To guide you through the process, this Redfin article will provide you with 70 essential questions to ask when buying a house &#8212; organized by each stage of the homebuying journey.<\/p>\n<h5 data-start=\"274\" data-end=\"427\"><strong>In this article:<\/strong><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#before-you-begin\">Before you begin your homebuying journey<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#choosing-agent\">Choosing a real estate agent<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/during-home-search\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\">During your home search and home tours<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#during-closing\">Submitting your offer and closing<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-73941\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Perfect-Gifts.jpg\" alt=\"Gifts for new homeowners house\" width=\"1200\" height=\"659\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Perfect-Gifts.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Perfect-Gifts-300x165.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Perfect-Gifts-1024x562.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Perfect-Gifts-768x422.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Perfect-Gifts-273x150.jpg 273w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Perfect-Gifts-1147x630.jpg 1147w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Perfect-Gifts-546x300.jpg 546w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"before-you-begin\"><strong>10 questions to ask before you begin your homebuying journey<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before you start house hunting, think through your goals for homeownership. Why do you want to buy a house? What is your budget, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/how-much-house-can-i-afford\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\">how much can you afford<\/a>? Use these questions to guide you before getting started in the homebuying process.<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do you want to earn equity and build wealth by owning a house?\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do you expect you might need more space for a future family?\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do you have a pet or see one in your future and you want a backyard?\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do you want to live in a quiet, established area or somewhere more lively?\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do you enjoy yard work or gardening? How much backyard space do you require?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have you considered the local schools and neighborhoods?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is it essential for you to live close to your work? Or, is a commute ok?\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have you narrowed down a range of purchase prices you can afford?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How much money do you need for a down payment?\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are you pre-approved for a mortgage?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>When house hunting, it\u2019s easy to overlook key questions\u2014like whether a condo allows pets or if a trendy neighborhood will still meet your needs in a few years. Thinking ahead about your lifestyle and priorities can help narrow your search. Also, keep your mortgage pre-approval current. It confirms you\u2019re a serious buyer and, with recent rate drops, updating it could boost your buying power in a competitive market.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ast-oembed-container \" style=\"height: 100%;\"><iframe title=\"Top 10 Questions to Ask When Buying a House #realestate\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/jHUhmsidKiM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<h2 id=\"choosing-agent\"><strong>7 questions to ask when you interview agents<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"233\">Reaching out to the agent on a for-sale sign isn\u2019t always in your best interest as a buyer. Having your own agent ensures someone is representing <em data-start=\"146\" data-end=\"151\">you<\/em>\u2014researching the home, answering your questions, and negotiating on your behalf.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"235\" data-end=\"423\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\">To find the right fit, it&#8217;s a good idea to interview at least three agents, ideally those recommended by trusted sources or with strong local reviews. Here are key questions to help you <a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-to-choose-a-real-estate-agent\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\">choose the right agent:<\/a><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How long have you been a real estate agent?\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What kind of experience do you have in this specific market\/area?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do you usually work with buyers or sellers?\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How do you usually communicate with clients? What should I expect for response time?\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How will you help me search for homes?\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What days and times are you typically available for showings?\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How will you ensure transparency about any issues you see with a house?\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you set your expectations for communication, home tours, and other information you count on your agent to provide, you have a good chance to establish a productive relationship from the start &#8211; which will help you through your homebuying journey.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-96350\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/chic-luxury-kitchen-and-dining-room-with-wood-panels.jpg\" alt=\"chic luxury kitchen and dining room with wood panels\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/chic-luxury-kitchen-and-dining-room-with-wood-panels.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/chic-luxury-kitchen-and-dining-room-with-wood-panels-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/chic-luxury-kitchen-and-dining-room-with-wood-panels-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/chic-luxury-kitchen-and-dining-room-with-wood-panels-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/chic-luxury-kitchen-and-dining-room-with-wood-panels-225x150.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/chic-luxury-kitchen-and-dining-room-with-wood-panels-945x630.jpg 945w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/chic-luxury-kitchen-and-dining-room-with-wood-panels-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"during-home-search\"><strong>41 questions to ask during your home search<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is an extensive list, and not every question applies to every situation. For example, if your goal is to purchase a single-family home, questions relating to condominiums don\u2019t apply. However, this list of questions to ask when touring a house should give you an excellent start in making well-informed decisions when buying your first home.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Costs and finances<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What are the property taxes?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What are the average utility costs?\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are there any upcoming condo or homeowners association fees? How much do these typically cost?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What\u2019s the lowest price you think we could offer for this house and still close the transaction?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is additional insurance needed to cover climate-related risks? How much does this typically cost?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3><strong>Property condition<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When was the house built?\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have there been any major repairs to the property? If so, do you know if they provided a warranty?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are there any shared driveways or communal spaces?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How old are the major appliances and systems?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are the appliances included in the sale?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is there enough storage space? Room to grow?\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is there any evidence of water problems? Can you see damp drywall, basement floors, or open leaks? Can you smell mildew? Or is there a smell of fresh paint that might be intended to cover up a water issue?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are the walls structurally sound? Look for cracks and look for evidence of cracks covered over by wallpaper that doesn\u2019t look right or paint applied over filler.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is the chimney in good condition?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are the windows sound? Will any of the glazing need to be replaced?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do the ground floor windows have working latches to lock the windows?\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is the attic insulated? If so, when was the insulation installed?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is there any soundproofing in the house? (Try viewing the home at different times to hear road noise or neighbors.)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are there working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What type of system is used to heat and cool the house?\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ask to see the circuit box \u2013 does the wiring look up to date?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How is the condition of electrical outlets and switches? (You can bring something to plug into try outlets.)\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do all of the lights work? If not, why not?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Does the property have any lead pipes? Do you see any issues with pipes in need of repair?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What kind of drainage system does the property have? Is it on the city sewer, or is there a septic tank?\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is there any <a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/asbestos-in-homes\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\">asbestos in the property<\/a>, or has there ever been an asbestos survey completed?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What kind of roof does the property have? When was it last replaced, and what is its current condition?\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do you see any gutter leaks? Are the gutters cleaned out, or do they need work?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3><strong>Neighborhood and location<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is the neighborhood like?<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Are there amenities close to this neighborhood? Shopping, dining, entertainment, services, parks, public transportation, etc.<\/li>\n<li>What schools are nearby?<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is the house located in a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/is-my-house-in-a-flood-zone\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\">flood zone<\/a>, wildfire-prone area, or other <a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/guides\/climate-change-housing-impact\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\">high-risk climate zone<\/a>, and has it ever been affected by a natural disaster in the past?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are there any trees growing within 15 feet of the property? Can you discern if roots are likely to be a problem?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3><strong>Other important questions to ask when looking at a house<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What\u2019s the reason for the sale? How long have the sellers lived there?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How long has the house been on the market?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is the sales history of this house, and how would it affect my offer?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are there any <a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/what-is-an-easement\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\">easements on the property<\/a>? Are there any public rights of way passing through \u2013 or near \u2013 the property?\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are there any boundary disputes with neighbors?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is there adequate cell phone reception indoors? How\u2019s the broadband service in the area?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Which way does the yard face, and is there any part of the yard that doesn\u2019t receive sunlight throughout the day?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Would the real estate agent buy this house? If not, why not?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can ask these questions when buying a house &#8211; and others as applicable &#8211; to understand your likely overall costs to own this home. When you understand all of your costs, you\u2019ll confidently be able to<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/guides\/how-to-make-an-offer-on-a-house\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">make an offer you can afford<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-96351\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/luxurious-backyard-pool-with-palm-trees-and-bar-lit-up-at-night.jpg\" alt=\"luxurious backyard pool with palm trees and bar lit up at night\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/luxurious-backyard-pool-with-palm-trees-and-bar-lit-up-at-night.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/luxurious-backyard-pool-with-palm-trees-and-bar-lit-up-at-night-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/luxurious-backyard-pool-with-palm-trees-and-bar-lit-up-at-night-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/luxurious-backyard-pool-with-palm-trees-and-bar-lit-up-at-night-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/luxurious-backyard-pool-with-palm-trees-and-bar-lit-up-at-night-225x150.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/luxurious-backyard-pool-with-palm-trees-and-bar-lit-up-at-night-945x630.jpg 945w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/luxurious-backyard-pool-with-palm-trees-and-bar-lit-up-at-night-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"during-closing\"><strong>12 questions to ask when making an offer and closing on a home<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Real estate agents make offers on homes every day. Their job is to help you make the best offer while protecting you against potential risks with the transaction.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How does the offer work? Do we communicate with the seller or seller\u2019s agent?\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What contingencies do you recommend including in the offer?\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is the seller willing to pay all or part of the buyer <a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/who-pays-the-real-estate-agent\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\">agent fees<\/a>?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How much earnest money should we put in the offer?\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When do we need to provide <a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/what-is-earnest-money\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\">earnest money<\/a>?\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When should we expect to hear back from the seller?\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If we receive a counteroffer, when do we need to reply?\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How can we sign the paperwork? Digital? In-person?\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If the offer is accepted, what are the next steps?\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How far out is the potential closing date from an accepted offer?\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What are our next steps once the offer is accepted?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What do we do at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/steps-to-closing-on-a-house\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\">closing<\/a>?\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your real estate agent wants to make the homebuying transaction as smooth as possible. If they do not provide this information upfront, be sure to ask.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>During the home buying journey, you owe it to yourself to find out everything you can about a home you could potentially live in for a lifetime. Here are 68 questions to ask when buying a home.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":523,"featured_media":71642,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"default","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[34276],"tags":[34617,4007],"coauthors":[31388],"class_list":["post-71641","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-buying-a-home","tag-home-buying-process","tag-home-buyer-tips"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.7 (Yoast SEO v28.8) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>70 Questions to Ask When Buying a House - Redfin<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Here are the key questions every buyer should ask when buying a house. From house hunting to closing, confidently navigate today\u2019s market.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/questions-to-ask-when-buying-a-house\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"70 Questions to Ask When Buying a House\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Here are the key questions every buyer should ask when buying a house. From house hunting to closing, confidently navigate today\u2019s market.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/questions-to-ask-when-buying-a-house\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Redfin | Real Estate Tips for Home Buying, Selling &amp; More\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/redfin\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-06-05T15:48:02+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-06-11T18:28:28+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/LCLB2019_406-15thAve_Kirkland.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"811\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Mekaila Oaks\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@redfin\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@redfin\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Mekaila Oaks\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"8 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/questions-to-ask-when-buying-a-house\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/questions-to-ask-when-buying-a-house\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Mekaila Oaks\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/78b16587424b0f2b37a1b0f4ca5075f8\"},\"headline\":\"70 Questions to Ask When Buying a House\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-06-05T15:48:02+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-06-11T18:28:28+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/questions-to-ask-when-buying-a-house\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1457,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/questions-to-ask-when-buying-a-house\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2021\\\/02\\\/LCLB2019_406-15thAve_Kirkland.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"home buying process\",\"Homebuyer Tips\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Buying a Home\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"copyrightYear\":\"2025\",\"copyrightHolder\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/#organization\"}},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/questions-to-ask-when-buying-a-house\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/questions-to-ask-when-buying-a-house\\\/\",\"name\":\"70 Questions to Ask When Buying a House - Redfin\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/questions-to-ask-when-buying-a-house\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/questions-to-ask-when-buying-a-house\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2021\\\/02\\\/LCLB2019_406-15thAve_Kirkland.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-06-05T15:48:02+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-06-11T18:28:28+00:00\",\"description\":\"Here are the key questions every buyer should ask when buying a house. From house hunting to closing, confidently navigate today\u2019s market.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/questions-to-ask-when-buying-a-house\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/questions-to-ask-when-buying-a-house\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/questions-to-ask-when-buying-a-house\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2021\\\/02\\\/LCLB2019_406-15thAve_Kirkland.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2021\\\/02\\\/LCLB2019_406-15thAve_Kirkland.jpg\",\"width\":1200,\"height\":811},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/questions-to-ask-when-buying-a-house\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"70 Questions to Ask When Buying a House\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/\",\"name\":\"Redfin | Real Estate Tips for Home Buying, Selling &amp; More\",\"description\":\"Real estate on Wall Street, Main Street and your street.\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Redfin\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2020\\\/03\\\/Redfin-logo-512x512-1.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2020\\\/03\\\/Redfin-logo-512x512-1.jpg\",\"width\":512,\"height\":512,\"caption\":\"Redfin\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/redfin\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/redfin\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/redfinrealestate\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.linkedin.com\\\/company\\\/redfin\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.pinterest.com\\\/redfin\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/channel\\\/UCMIuo1QSGcmWnevT9jdC_Ow\",\"https:\\\/\\\/en.wikipedia.org\\\/wiki\\\/Redfin\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/78b16587424b0f2b37a1b0f4ca5075f8\",\"name\":\"Mekaila Oaks\",\"description\":\"Mekaila is a Marketing Program Manager at Redfin with 6+ years of experience creating resources to help buyers and sellers navigate every stage of the real estate journey. She focuses on helping readers understand one of the most important steps: closing on a home purchase. Based in the Greater Seattle area, you'll find her exploring new restaurants, catching a comedy show, or getting lost in a good book.\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/author\\\/mekaila-oaks\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"70 Questions to Ask When Buying a House - Redfin","description":"Here are the key questions every buyer should ask when buying a house. From house hunting to closing, confidently navigate today\u2019s market.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/questions-to-ask-when-buying-a-house\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"70 Questions to Ask When Buying a House","og_description":"Here are the key questions every buyer should ask when buying a house. From house hunting to closing, confidently navigate today\u2019s market.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/questions-to-ask-when-buying-a-house\/","og_site_name":"Redfin | Real Estate Tips for Home Buying, Selling &amp; More","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/redfin","article_published_time":"2025-06-05T15:48:02+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-06-11T18:28:28+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1200,"height":811,"url":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/LCLB2019_406-15thAve_Kirkland.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Mekaila Oaks","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@redfin","twitter_site":"@redfin","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Mekaila Oaks","Est. reading time":"8 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/questions-to-ask-when-buying-a-house\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/questions-to-ask-when-buying-a-house\/"},"author":{"name":"Mekaila Oaks","@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/78b16587424b0f2b37a1b0f4ca5075f8"},"headline":"70 Questions to Ask When Buying a House","datePublished":"2025-06-05T15:48:02+00:00","dateModified":"2025-06-11T18:28:28+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/questions-to-ask-when-buying-a-house\/"},"wordCount":1457,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/questions-to-ask-when-buying-a-house\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/LCLB2019_406-15thAve_Kirkland.jpg","keywords":["home buying process","Homebuyer Tips"],"articleSection":["Buying a Home"],"inLanguage":"en-US","copyrightYear":"2025","copyrightHolder":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/#organization"}},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/questions-to-ask-when-buying-a-house\/","url":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/questions-to-ask-when-buying-a-house\/","name":"70 Questions to Ask When Buying a House - Redfin","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/questions-to-ask-when-buying-a-house\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/questions-to-ask-when-buying-a-house\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/LCLB2019_406-15thAve_Kirkland.jpg","datePublished":"2025-06-05T15:48:02+00:00","dateModified":"2025-06-11T18:28:28+00:00","description":"Here are the key questions every buyer should ask when buying a house. From house hunting to closing, confidently navigate today\u2019s market.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/questions-to-ask-when-buying-a-house\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/questions-to-ask-when-buying-a-house\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/questions-to-ask-when-buying-a-house\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/LCLB2019_406-15thAve_Kirkland.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/LCLB2019_406-15thAve_Kirkland.jpg","width":1200,"height":811},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/questions-to-ask-when-buying-a-house\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"70 Questions to Ask When Buying a House"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/","name":"Redfin | Real Estate Tips for Home Buying, Selling &amp; More","description":"Real estate on Wall Street, Main Street and your street.","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/#organization","name":"Redfin","url":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Redfin-logo-512x512-1.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Redfin-logo-512x512-1.jpg","width":512,"height":512,"caption":"Redfin"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/redfin","https:\/\/x.com\/redfin","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/redfinrealestate\/","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/redfin","https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/redfin\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCMIuo1QSGcmWnevT9jdC_Ow","https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Redfin"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/78b16587424b0f2b37a1b0f4ca5075f8","name":"Mekaila Oaks","description":"Mekaila is a Marketing Program Manager at Redfin with 6+ years of experience creating resources to help buyers and sellers navigate every stage of the real estate journey. She focuses on helping readers understand one of the most important steps: closing on a home purchase. Based in the Greater Seattle area, you'll find her exploring new restaurants, catching a comedy show, or getting lost in a good book.","url":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/author\/mekaila-oaks\/"}]}},"permalink_manager":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/71641","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/523"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=71641"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/71641\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":101789,"href":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/71641\/revisions\/101789"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/71642"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=71641"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=71641"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=71641"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=71641"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}