Walking into a home open is always an exciting experience. It’s incredibly easy to get swept up in the immediate visual appeal—admiring the sleek stone benchtops, checking if your couch will fit in the living room, or picturing the kids playing in the backyard.
However, at Holdsworth Real Estate, we always remind our clients that some of the most critical details about a property are completely invisible during a 30-minute walkthrough.
Before you grab a brochure and head out the door, take a moment to chat with the selling agent. Asking a few targeted questions can protect you from unexpected surprises and help you determine if the home truly fits your lifestyle and budget.
Here are six essential questions to ask at your next inspection.
1. Are there any material facts I should be aware of?
In real estate, a material fact is defined as any piece of information that could reasonably be expected to influence your decision to buy a property or affect the price you are willing to pay.
While real estate agents have strict legal obligations regarding disclosure in Western Australia, explicitly asking this question opens up a direct conversation. It prompts the agent to share vital background information that might not be readily apparent on a flyer—such as structural issues, historical property events, or specific zoning quirks. If you have heard rumors about the area or notice a strange patch on a wall, never hesitate to ask for direct clarification.
2. Have there been any renovations or major repairs?
Understanding a property’s history gives you a massive advantage when assessing its current condition. If a home has been beautifully updated, you’ll want to find out exactly what work was done, when it was completed, and who did it.
Most importantly, you need to ask: Were all required council approvals obtained? Unapproved extensions, patios, or structural renovations can create massive headaches during the settlement process or when you eventually try to sell the home down the line. Knowing what has been professionally maintained tells you what future maintenance tasks you might need to budget for.
3. What are the ongoing holding costs?
The final purchase price is just the first line item on your property ledger. To make sure a home actually fits your monthly budget, you need a clear picture of its ongoing operational costs.
Be sure to ask the agent for the exact figures on:
- Council rates
- Water rates
- Strata levies and reserve fund contributions (if purchasing a villa, townhouse, or apartment)
High strata fees or an underfunded reserve fund can significantly alter the affordability of a property, so it’s best to uncover these numbers before putting pen to paper on an offer.
4. What is explicitly included in the sale?
Never assume that everything you see during a home open is staying behind. Chatels and fixtures can sometimes occupy a legal grey area.
If you love the custom window shutters, the wall-mounted smart TV, the premium outdoor sound system, or a specific light fitting, clarify whether they form part of the sale. Outlining these expectations early ensures that the contract matches your understanding and prevents frustrating misunderstandings on settlement day.
5. What settlement terms are the sellers looking for?
Many buyers waste time trying to guess the seller’s bottom-dollar price or asking how many other offers are on the table. While it’s fine to gauge the level of market interest, a much more strategic question focuses on the seller’s preferred timeline and terms.
Does the seller need a long 90-day settlement so they can find a new home? Are they looking for a quick cash unconditional contract? Or perhaps they want a rent-back agreement? Aligning your offer’s settlement terms with the seller’s exact situation can make your proposal stand out, even if it isn’t the highest dollar amount on the table.
6. What can you tell me about the local area and future developments?
You aren’t just buying a house; you are investing in a neighborhood. Ask the agent about the local community dynamics, public transport access, school catchment zones, and parking availability.
Crucially, ask if they know of any planned developments or infrastructure changes nearby. A vacant block down the street might offer great potential, or it might be zoned for a multi-story apartment block that could block your afternoon sun.
Holdsworth Tip: After you leave the home open, leverage digital mapping tools on portals like reiwa.com. Their interactive maps let you layer school intake zones, nearby parks, shopping hubs, and bus routes directly over the property location to give you an objective view of the neighborhood.
Master Your Next Inspection
Arriving at a home open with a clear, prepared strategy changes you from a casual browser into an empowered buyer. The answers you gather will give you the confidence to walk away or move forward with a highly competitive, well-informed offer.
If you are currently hunting for your next home in Perth, the team at Holdsworth Real Estate is always here to guide you through the process. Check out our current feature listings online, or drop by one of our upcoming home opens this weekend to put these questions into practice!
