Kelowna Houses for Sale: 4 Questions to Ask at an Open House
When you’re visiting Kelowna houses for sale during an open house, it’s a good idea to come prepared with questions for the listing Realtor®.
Preparation is a key ingredient for buyers looking at Kelowna houses for sale. Not only does that mean researching properties before you visit them, it means being ready to ask questions when you’re at an open house.
There’s only so much information you can glean from a listing sheet, so sometimes you need to dig a little deeper to find the answers you’re looking for. A listing agent can often be a tremendous resource because they’re familiar with the property and owners.
Open houses are typically the only chance you’ll get to speak with the listing agent directly. So take advantage and fire away. Here are some questions you may want to add to your list:
1. Have There Been Any Offers?
Before you set your heart on a particular property, it’s worth asking whether the house has received any:
- Interest from other buyers
- Formal offers that were rejected
- Accepted offers that fell through
If an offer has been made but has yet to be accepted (i.e. legally binding), you have a choice to make. You can either wait and see how it plays out, or you can submit your own offer and risk a bidding war.
2. When Was the House Last Updated?
You can usually tell a lot about the condition of a house simply by walking through it. However, there might be recent improvements or upgrades that you’re not aware of. Some of the main ones you might want to ask about include:
- Roof
- Furnace
- Hot water tank
- Major appliances
- Any other major renovations
3. How Long Has It Been on the Kelowna Real Estate Market?
Your Kelowna realtor will be able to tell you the number of days a property has been listed for, but it might not tell the whole story. The listing realtor might be able to explain why a house has been on the market for a long time. For instance, it may have had an offer and subsequent extensions, but eventually fell through.
4. What’s the Neighbourhood Like?
The areas surrounding Kelowna houses for sale can sometimes be just as important as the homes themselves. There are a number of amenities and lifestyle opportunities you might want to ask about:
- Are there kids in the neighbourhood?
- Is there a lot of traffic?
- What is the nightlife like?
- Where are the nearest restaurants, cafes and shopping?
- Are the neighbours social?
Answering these questions will help you determine whether this is the type of neighbourhood you and your family will want to reside in for the foreseeable future.
If you’re searching for the ideal family home, check out our post: How To Choose the Right Kelowna Real Estate for Your Family
When looking at Kelowna houses for sale, it can be helpful to have an experienced realtor who uses effective buying strategies. To learn more about this, call the professional sales agents at Quincy Vrecko & Associates.
