February 25, 2025

Questions to ask when buying a house

You’ve been looking at properties for months and you’ve finally got a list of properties your real estate broker has picked out for you. But are you really prepared? Buying a home is a major undertaking with several stages. Preparing for visits is essential if you want to get the most out of every opportunity. Do you have a checklist of questions to ask when buying a house, whether the owners will be there or you’ll be asking the seller’s broker? Our buying a house checklist has 42 essential questions to help you get the most out of your visits.

Declarations by the seller: a must-have
Questions about the seller’s motivations
Questions about price and comparables
Questions about recurring expenses
Questions about the condition of the inside of the house
Questions about the condition of the outside of the house
Questions about the neighbourhood
Other relevant questions
A comprehensive buying a house checklist

Declarations by the seller: a must-have

Reading through the Declarations by the seller form is the first step before you even visit the house. This document is a bit like the property’s pedigree. Reading it should answer several of your questions.

The Declarations by the seller form is designed to protect both the buyer and the seller in a real estate transaction. This form provides the buyer with detailed information about the condition of the property and protects the seller against possible recourse.

The seller also has obligations, such as disclosing all important information about the property. Although the Declarations by the seller form is not required for all real estate transactions, it is strongly recommended.

Questions about the seller’s motivations

1. Why does the seller want to sell?

Asking the seller why they want to sell will help you understand if they are looking to sell quickly. This is a key—and profitable—piece of information to have during negotiations.

2. Has the seller received any offers yet?

Although the broker can’t divulge the offers in other promises to purchase, it’s still a worthwhile question, to get an idea of whether you have competition or not.

3. How long has the property been on the market?

If the property has been on the market for some time, the seller may be more inclined to negotiate the price so that they can move on to the next thing, which is good to know when you’re making your purchase offer. However, high-end homes may take longer to sell, so a longer time on the market does not necessarily indicate hidden problems.

	Tips and tricks Visit the Real Estate Statistics section of Centris.ca for information on average selling times .

Questions about price and comparables

4. What is the reason for this asking price?

Asking the seller to justify the price is a legitimate question. The broker probably relied on the selling price of comparable properties in the neighbourhood and the municipal assessment or market value, or they may have worked with a professional who conducted the assessment. Ask to find out if this is the case.

	Tips and tricks Visit Centris.ca to find out the median price of properties in your desired neighbourhood.

5. What is the municipal property assessment value?

The municipal assessment looks at the value of the land as well as the building. Did you know that the market value assessment is different than the municipal assessment? The market value follows changes in the real estate market, while the municipal assessment is carried out by the city to set property taxes. The municipal assessment is an estimate and does not accurately reflect the value of a property.

6. What is included and excluded in the sale of the property?

It’s important to know about the inclusions and exclusions for the property. Plus, it’s great for negotiating! That way, you’ll know what to include in your promise to purchase.

7. What year was the house built?

Knowing what year the house was built can give you some clues about the construction standards at the time. It goes without saying that this is a key piece of information to have before buying.

Questions about recurring expenses

8. What are the annual costs for hot water, electricity, air conditioning and heating?

Air conditioning and heating costs are a good indicator of how well the property is insulated and how energy efficient it is.

	Tips and tricks You can also use the Hydro-Québec estimator to get the energy profile of a property.

9. How much is home insurance?

Although the cost of home insurance varies from person to person for several reasons, it is worth asking. You can also call your insurer and ask them to provide you with an estimate for insuring the home in question, based on the information you have available.

10. How much are the municipal and school taxes?

The seller can provide you with the municipal tax and school tax bills during your visit. You can also find out prior to your visit on the municipality and school service centre websites.

11. How much will the real estate transfer duties be?

Of course, the seller will not really be able to help you with this question, but you can find how much the welcome tax will be before you make an offer.

12. How much are the co-ownership fees, if applicable?

This is a great question to ask when visiting a condo. Before putting in an offer on a co-ownership, it’s also a good idea to ask how much is in the contingency fund and what work needs to be done soon in the building.

13. Are there any other annual fees to consider?

Some owners opt to rent the hot water tank, which means an additional annual or monthly fee to take into account. If the property has an independent septic system, you’ll need to empty the septic tank every year or two. There are many costs to budget for when buying a house, particularly when it comes to maintenance before, during and after the purchase.

14. What are the costs of snow removal?

Ask the owner if they use a snow removal company and how much it costs for the winter. Is there more than one snow removal company?

Questions about the condition of the inside of the house

15. Has the house suffered any major damage in recent years? What repairs were done?

Ask the seller for the history of the house, as no property is ever safe from damage. The important thing is how any damage was repaired. There are many possible types of damage, including water leaking into the roof, water damage after a flood, kitchen fires and broken windows.

16. Is this property located in a flood zone?

If the house has had a flood before, it may be located in a flood zone. Consult the map of flood-risk areas to find out.

17. Are there any visible cracks in the foundation?

It’s possible to tell whether a crack is passive or active just by looking at the foundation. A pre-purchase inspection makes perfect sense here, as a professional inspector will be able to guide you in the event of a more serious foundation problem.

18. Has the property ever tested positive for radon, asbestos or pyrite?

If so, how did the seller resolve the situation? You will need proof of what has been done (invoices, documents, inspection).

19. Has the house ever been infested by rodents or insects?

If so, ask the seller what has been done. Explain that you will need proof that the issue has been addressed before making an offer.

20. What did the previous inspection reveal as areas for improvement?

If an inspection has already been conducted, ask to see the report. Have the areas for improvement that the inspector pointed out been fixed?

21. Is there condensation in the windows sometimes?

If the windows are fogging up because the Thermopane glass is no longer properly sealed, how much will it cost to replace them? Perhaps the seller has already asked and has an estimate from a company. Ask them or find out for yourself. If the house still has the original windows, this is a good point to negotiate when making an offer, since changing all the windows in a house is costly.

22. Does the insulation seem effective?

Energy efficiency is important, as your heating or air conditioning bill will be high if the house is poorly insulated. If you notice icicles forming around the roof, this may indicate a lack of insulation. If some rooms seem cold in winter and hot in summer, the insulation should also be inspected. The same applies if the walls are cold to the touch or there are drafts. Discuss these issues with the seller.

23. What year was the water heater installed?

This is important, since a water heater has a lifespan of about 10 years. Moreover, some insurance companies will require you to change it at the end of its useful life or the resulting water damage will not be covered.

24. How old is the plumbing?

What materials were used? Homes built before 1980 may have iron, galvanized steel or copper pipes, which are no longer up to current standards. PVC and PEX are used for pipes these days, since they don’t corrode and therefore have a lower risk of bursting. Ask the seller if they have had any work done recently and who performed the work. A home’s plumbing is important, and there is a significant risk of water damage if the plumbing has been done incorrectly or is outdated.

25. How old is the electrical system?

Ask to see the electrical panel to check if it is in good condition and conforms to current standards. What is the capacity? Is there room left to plug in a hot tub? An inspector can also answer these questions for you.

26. What type of heating system does the house have?

There are several types of heating systems: water, oil, electric, gas, wood heating, central heating or a heat pump. If there is a fireplace, does it comply with insurance requirements? Was the chimney swept at the end of the winter? Request a copy of the most recent bill.

27. Has there ever been mould on the walls?

This is a very relevant question, since air quality is important in a house. What was the source and how was the issue resolved? Don’t feel shy about asking the seller. After all, this may be your future home.

	Tips and tricks Be careful—if you are told that the mould was removed by washing it and then painting over it, this is a major red flag that should not be ignored. The problem must be dealt with at the source, otherwise it will come back.

28. Is there an air exchanger?

An air exchanger offers several advantages, such as improving indoor air quality by removing pollutants, regulating humidity to prevent condensation and mould, and reducing energy costs by recovering heat. An air exchanger can also prevent carbon dioxide from accumulating in airtight houses.

29. Have there been any renovations over the years?

Major renovations include things like adding a room or a second garage, or completely renovating the kitchen and bathroom. Ask where the load-bearing wall is located and if it was modified during these renovations. In Quebec, you are legally required to hire an engineer if you want to modify a load-bearing wall, so check if this has been done. Updating the electrical system or plumbing is also a major renovation. Ask to see invoices and warranties from any major work.

Questions about the condition of the outside of the house

30. What is the condition of the roof and what year was it installed?

Issues like moss and loose or missing shingles are easy to see with the naked eye. However, if the roof has been redone recently, ask for the invoice to get all the details and warranty.

	Tips and tricks The average roof has a lifespan of about 20 to 30 years and costs between $6 and $30 per square foot to replace on average, depending on the materials used.

31. What is the condition of the exterior cladding and what year was it installed?

Just like with the roof, signs of aging exterior cladding, such as crumbling mortar, flaking paint or worn PVC, are visible to the naked eye.

	Tips and tricks The average useful life of the exterior cladding is approximately 20 to 30 years , and the average cost to replace it depends on the materials used and whether you replace the entire thing or just patch up a few small areas.

32. Does water pool on the ground?

If water accumulates in certain spots, this could indicate waterlogged land that requires drainage. French drains, which typically last about 20 years, can become less effective over time, either because of age or obstructions. A high humidity level in the basement may also be a sign that the French drain is no longer working properly. If the house was built before 1960, it may simply not have a drain. Ask how old the drain is and check if it has been inspected recently.

33. Where are the property limits?

It’s great if there’s a fence, but who owns the fences and hedges? Is there a servitude on the land? Consult a land surveyor or ask the seller for the certificate of location to find out the limits of the servitude on a property. This will allow you to see where the property limits are. In some cases, title insurance may also illuminate the matter.

34. Are the shed, patio, balcony and pool safe and compliant with municipal by-laws?

You can always contact the municipality’s urban planning department to check that everything is safe and make sure permit applications were filed when these changes were made.

Questions about the neighbourhood

35. What is the neighbourhood like?

Getting the seller to tell you about their neighbourhood gives you a lot of information. Is it a quiet area, with mostly young families with children and retirees? Ask what else is nearby (for example, bus stops, parks, factories, schools, shops, busy streets).

36. How are the next-door neighbours?

It’s always worthwhile to get the seller’s opinion about the neighbours. That said, there’s not much you can do about them.

37. Is the street owned by the city (in the case of a chalet, for example)?

Visit the municipality’s website to see the by-laws for parking on the street and snow removal.

38. Is there a lot of noise?

Without necessarily asking the seller, you can check if the address is close to a railway, airport or other major source of noise. When viewing properties on Centris.ca, you can select the Lifestyle - Quiet option, which will display a score between 1 to 10 for the properties that come up in your search. A score of 10 means that the property is in a quiet area with few sources of noise nearby, while a score of 1 indicates several sources of noise (for example, a property right downtown). This can be a key criterion for choosing a place that matches your preferences!

A comprehensive buying a house checklist

You are now ready to visit as many houses for sale as you want. Of course, being prepared and having a list of questions for buying a house can’t replace the expertise and support of a real estate broker and a home inspector. Visit Centris.ca to add some more houses to your list to visit this weekend!