Ten Questions to Ask Your Real Estate Agent When House Hunting
· Buyer / Seller Tactics
New to U.S. home buying? Here are the ten questions that protect your interests and save money.
If you are a first-time buyer or new to the United States, walking into a showing without the right questions is like driving without a map. Your real estate agent works on your behalf, and the right conversation at the start will protect your interests, clarify the market reality you face, and prevent costly surprises later. The ten questions below are not optional niceties; they are the backbone of informed decision-making in Southern California's market today.
Start with the foundation: "What is the current market condition in this neighborhood, and how long are homes typically taking to sell?" In a fast-moving market, days on market matter enormously. Our MLS feed shows homes across Southern California ranging from 2 days in Riverside to 12 days in Irvine, and inventory levels shift constantly. Your agent should explain whether this particular area favors buyers or sellers right now, what that means for your negotiating power, and whether the listing price reflects current reality or is priced to attract multiple offers. This answer shapes every offer you make.
Second, ask: "What are the actual out-of-pocket costs I should expect at closing, beyond the down payment?" Many buyers are blindsided by closing costs. Generally speaking, closing costs commonly run about 2 to 5 percent of the purchase price in California, but your agent must walk you through them line by line. Ask for a Closing Disclosure estimate early, well before you make an offer. For example, suppose a $900,000 purchase: closing costs at 3 percent would be $27,000 on top of your down payment. That number changes everything about what you can actually afford.
Third: "Does this property have any title issues, liens, or code violations on record?" A clean title is not a luxury; it is non-negotiable. Your agent should have already run a preliminary title report. If they haven't, ask why. Some properties carry old liens, unpaid assessments, or unresolved code violations that can kill your loan approval or trap you in liability after you buy. Never move forward without seeing the title report yourself. This is the one moment when knowing the property's full legal history can save you tens of thousands of dollars or keep you from buying an unsellable home.
Fourth: "What is the property tax on this home, and how will it change after purchase?" California's Prop 13 base rate is 1 percent of assessed value, but the effective rate commonly runs around 1.1 to 1.25 percent depending on the county and local assessments. When you buy, the county will reassess the property at the new purchase price, and your tax bill will adjust accordingly. Say the purchase price is $1,000,000 and your local rate is 1.2 percent: your annual property tax will be roughly $12,000, or about $1,000 a month. Your agent should provide this number in writing, because it is a permanent part of your monthly housing cost.
Fifth: "What is the loan approval timeline, and what do I need to provide to move forward?" If you are a foreign national without U.S. credit history, a student, or someone whose financial profile doesn't fit a traditional mortgage, this answer is critical. Our lending programs include options for foreign nationals, F-1 students, H-1B holders, and borrowers using bank statements instead of tax returns. However, each program has different documentation requirements and timelines. Ask your agent whether they have recommended a lender, and if so, what that lender specializes in. Do not assume you need a U.S. credit score, an SSN, or an ITIN to borrow; many loan products do not require them. But you do need clarity from your lender about what you do need and how long approval takes.
Sixth: "Are there any special assessments or upcoming major repairs I should know about?" Homeowners associations can levy special assessments for building repairs, roof work, or infrastructure updates. A special assessment can run anywhere from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands, and it becomes your responsibility the day you close. Ask the seller's disclosure documents directly. If the roof is 20 years old or the foundation has cracks, your home inspector will flag it, but your agent should know the property's reputation in the neighborhood. Do not skip this question.
Seventh: "How will this home appreciate, or what is the neighborhood trajectory?" Your agent should be able to show you sales data from comparable homes sold in the last 6 to 12 months, not just listing prices. According to the California Association of REALTORS® in its August 2026 report, Los Angeles County homes showed a 1.7 percent year-over-year gain and 6.6 percent month-over-month growth, while Orange County saw 4.9 percent year-over-year appreciation. But that is a county-level snapshot. Your agent should be able to show you whether this specific street, ZIP code, or neighborhood is in demand or softening. If they cannot speak to the micro-market, they are not doing the job.
Eighth: "What is the current interest rate environment, and what should I budget for monthly payments?" As of the week of October 1, 2026, the national weekly average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is 7.28 percent according to Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market Survey; the 15-year fixed is 6.6 percent. However, this is a national weekly average and NOT a personalized quote. Your actual rate depends on your credit score, loan size, down payment, property type, and occupancy status. If you are a foreign national or paying with a bank statement loan, point your agent to the rates page at https://tuhaousa.com/rates/ and ask for a current quote. For example, suppose a $750,000 loan at 7.28 percent over 30 years: your monthly principal and interest would be roughly $5,100. Add property tax, insurance, and HOA, and your total monthly cost changes dramatically. Always ask your lender for a complete payment estimate before you make an offer.
Ninth: "If this home doesn't pass inspection or appraisal, what happens to my deposit and timeline?" Your inspection contingency and appraisal contingency are your legal safety nets. Ask your agent to explain in plain language what happens if the home fails inspection (do you walk away or renegotiate?) or if the appraisal comes in low (does the deal die or does the seller lower the price?). In a competitive market, sellers may push you to waive these contingencies, but doing so puts your money at serious risk. Understand your options before you sign an offer. The contingency language in your contract is not boilerplate; it is your protection.
Tenth: "What is your communication plan, and how often will I hear from you?" Buying a home is stressful, and silence is the enemy of confidence. Ask your agent for their response time, preferred communication method, and when they will update you on the market. If you are an overseas buyer or in a different time zone, make sure they understand your constraints and have a plan to keep you informed. A good agent will proactively send you new listings, market updates, and feedback from showings without waiting to be asked. If they cannot commit to a clear communication schedule, that is a red flag.
The ten questions above are not comprehensive, but they are foundational. When you ask them, and write down the answers, you are no longer a passive buyer being sold a home. You are an informed participant protecting your investment. Your agent is your guide, but you are the one signing the papers and making the largest purchase of your life. Ask the hard questions, get the facts, and only then decide.
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