Eight Questions No One Thinks to Ask Before Buying a House

Buying a house is a stressful, expensive project—something most people understand. That's why they do their diligence. The research the property and the area, they hire a home inspector, they pay a lot of money for title insurance, and they ask questions. Lots and lots of questions.

Most of those questions are common sense, concerning the history of the house, the age and condition of the roof or the HVAC system, and the neighborhood. But there are some not-so-common questions that are also worth asking. These eight questions might seem a bit random, but they can alert you to big problems before you sign your life away.

Was the home ever used as a business?

A lot of people use their homes for their livelihood. If that means a home office for telecommuting, it’s nothing to worry about. But if the previous owner ran any kind of physical business out of the house, you need to know, because it could impact your enjoyment of the property in a few ways:

• Old customers might show up unannounced, unaware that the house has been sold, as happened to this unhappy new homeowner. This could potentially include folks who are upset with their experience with the business, or to whom the business owes money.

• Shipments, bills, and other deliveries or correspondence might continue to arrive, forcing you to deal with someone else’s business—especially if the previous owner demands that you forward materials and mail to them.

Has the house ever been hit by a car?

This might seem like a crazy question to ask, but if the house you’re considering buying is located at an intersection, at the bottom of a hill, or around a blind corner, it's worth asking if it’s been hit by cars—and if so, how often. Homes being hit by cars isn’t common, but if the house has been hit once, there’s a good chance the conditions that caused the accident still exist, and it could be hit again.

For example, this house in San Jose has been hit 23 times in 50 years. This house in Ohio has been hit three times (plus one near-miss). And this house in North Carolina was hit by cars six times over the course of a decade. The worst time to find out that a nearby highway exit ramp or dangerous curve slings cars into your home on a regular basis is after you’ve bought it.

What exactly will I own?

Most of the time you can safely assume that what you see in and around the house will be yours once the checks clear and the deed is transferred. That usually includes the outdoor spaces, like a backyard, the appliances, and, say, the finished basement. But you should never assume, because sometimes what you see is not at all what you get.

This couple in Washington and bought a house only to discover that the back yard—starting at their back steps—was actually a separate lot. They only learned this when the lot was put up for auction, and they found themselves desperately trying to buy their own backyard. And if you want the appliances in the kitchen or laundry room, you should make sure their inclusion is specified in the contract, or you might be in for a few extra expenses when you move in to find the fridge missing.

There’s even a story about a seller who literally removed an entire finished basement from the house, leveraging the fact that below-grade areas are usually not considered part of the living space. You might not need to worry about the basement in your dream home, but it underscores the wisdom of making sure you know everything that is included in the sale.

Do all the outlets work?

Older homes often don’t have enough power outlets. They were often designed and constructed in a different era, when people didn’t have TVs in their bedrooms or a dozen gadgets charging at all times. One of the easiest upgrades people put into older homes is additional outlets, often as part of an overall upgrade to the electrical wiring.

But an unscrupulous homeowner might add nonfunctional outlets to give the appearance of such an upgrade, leaving it to you to actually connect them. Or, maybe the house has old wiring that only looks like it was upgraded and modernized. Either way, asking if the outlets all actually work—or, better yet, testing them with a volt meter yourself—is a good idea.

Is it considered historic?

If you’re buying an older home, it’s often a good idea to ask if it’s located in a historic district or designated a historic building, and if there are any restrictions that come along with that designation. Homes that are considered historic in some way often come with limitations to the kind of renovations you can do without explicit approval, and may come with extra expenses or responsibilities.

You’d assume something like that would be disclosed before the sale, and it usually is if it’s the house itself that has officially been deemed historic. But if you move into an area considered historic, you might be subject to rules regarding how you can alter or update a home that haven't been previously disclosed to you, just like this unlucky homeowner. If your new house has old charm, it’s worth asking, or checking directly with the local government.

Why exactly was the basement renovated?

If you’re touring a house that obviously hasn’t had a major renovation in a while, you might be okay as long as the bones are good and you have a vision (and a budget) for renovations. But if you head down to the basement and discover a brand-new, just-finished renovation it’s time to ask one question: Was there a flood? While many homeowners tackle their home renovations in stages, if only the below-grade areas of the house that have been updated, it’s time to worry about significant water damage that’s been erased or hidden. If the basement flooded once, it will likely flood again—so you need to know why it was singled out for a rehab.

Is there a buried tank on the premises?

Old houses sometimes have ancient oil tanks buried underground. If a house had oil heat in the past, burying the tank hid it from view—no one wants an ugly, rusting tank sitting in their backyard. And if the tank was properly decommissioned—drained, filled with foam, and capped—it’s nothing to worry (at least until you decide to dig up the yard).

But if the tank wasn’t decommissioned, it could be a huge problem. If it leaks, your health could be impacted, and if the leak spreads and poisons your neighbors’ property, you’ll be liable. And removing a tank can be expensive—around $10,000 if you’ve got an environmental disaster on your hands. Best to ask about it before you assume that responsibility.

How are those trees doing?

Trees are terrific, and offer a lot of benefits to a property. But trees can become a real hazard if they’re not cared for properly—they can fall and damage the house, become a home for insects and rodents that infiltrate the house, and can cause conflict between you and your neighbors. Taking care of trees can be expensive, so many homeowners prefer to just enjoy the shade and assume that nature will take care of itself.

It pays to ask about the trees on your potential property—how often were they pruned and trimmed? Has an arborist inspected the trees for diseases, infestations, or damage? If the trees are old and haven’t been properly cared for, you might be buying a lot of work and problems instead of a beautiful, shady yard.

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