Questions about the sale itself
These calibrate how much leverage you'd have in an offer:
- "How long has it been on the market?" — days on market is public, but the tone of the answer tells you whether the seller is getting nervous.
- "Have there been any offers?" — agents can't invent offers that don't exist. "We have multiple offers, highest and best by Monday" changes your strategy completely.
- "Why are the sellers moving?" — relocation and estate sales usually mean motivated sellers; "testing the market" means the opposite.
- "Is there a deadline for offers?" — tells you whether you have time for a second visit.
Questions about the house
Pennsylvania's Real Estate Seller Disclosure Law requires sellers to give buyers a written property disclosure statement before an agreement of sale is signed — so ask for it at the open house. Many hosts have copies on the counter.
- "How old are the roof, HVAC, and water heater?" — the three most expensive routine replacements.
- "Is the house on public sewer or septic, public water or a well?" — in Upper Bucks and the rural townships, septic and wells are common, and they change the inspection plan.
- "What are the property taxes?" — then verify against the county record; taxes in Bucks County vary meaningfully by school district.
- "What stays with the house?" — appliances, fixtures, sheds, and swing sets are negotiated items in Pennsylvania, not automatic.
Questions you should NOT answer
The information flow runs both ways. The hosting agent works for the seller, so anything you volunteer — your budget ceiling, how much you love the house, your urgency to move — can be relayed to the seller and used in negotiation. Be friendly, be honest, and keep your numbers to yourself. If you're already working with a buyer's agent, say so at sign-in; that's normal and expected.
