What questions should I ask when looking at homes?


Many of your questions will focus on potential problems and maintenance issues. Illinois law requires residential sellers to submit a disclosure report to provide prospective buyers with information about material defects in the home that may not be discernable in a normal inspection. Review this carefully and fully investigate any items that the seller checks “yes” to. You may also want to ask the seller whether anything need to be replaced. Does anything require ongoing maintenance (e.g., HVAC, appliances)? Ask about the neighborhood, focusing on quality of life issues. Your real estate agent can help you find out about local schools, community events, and other developments in the area. Ask questions until you understand all of the information the seller or real estate agent has given. Organize your thoughts by making a list of questions ahead of time to compare all of the information you receive.