Almost every Buyer knows what to ask before living in a city like Dallas. 

Where should I live? Any of the most coveted neighborhoods in Dallas or Fort Worth are fair game. What if I want to be away from the city? Dallas has many suburbs that make “Best Places to Live” lists. Can I travel freely? The Dallas Fort Worth International Airport will connect you to almost any destination.

Asking questions about your future home city is often straightforward. But when buying a home in Dallas, you’ll have to zero in on specifics.

You want to be as prepared as possible before making one of the most impactful purchases of your life, and one crucial step is knowing what questions to ask before you buy.

Below, the Prevu Real Estate team will outline eight essential questions every buyer should have prepared before considering buying a home in Dallas.

Questions to ask before buying a home in Dallas

• How much can I spend?
• Should I work with a buyer’s agent?
• How can I save money?
• How much do utilities cost?
• How old are the roof and major systems?
• Why is the home for sale?
• Are there any insurance claims?
• Were there any major renovations?

How much can I spend?

Knowing how much you can spend on a home is more than having enough for a down payment and affording mortgage payments. 

Ironing out a multifaceted budget involves careful planning that accounts for unexpected expenses, bidding wars, and closing costs. In essence, when you first ask yourself, “How much can I spend?” The answer should result in a number that accounts not just for the price of the home but all the items mentioned above as well.

Should I work with a buyer’s agent?

Ultimately, the answer can boil down to two things: Do you want a professional to negotiate on your behalf or do you want to handle the transaction alone?

But those two themes only cover the basics. Embarking on your homebuying journey in Dallas with an experienced buyer’s agent by your side involves a slew of perks from the moment you start searching through listings to the moment you receive the keys to your new home.

Your agent can guide you to the neighborhoods in Dallas that best support your lifestyle needs, potentially discover off-market listings, and guide negotiations to help secure the best deal. Their expertise makes the entire transaction more accessible and faster, which is crucial in a fast-moving market like Dallas since moving quickly can help avoid competition.

How can I save money?

Dallas’s real estate market can be highly competitive, especially in the most desirable areas. Regardless of your financial situation, any money you can save when buying a home in the Dallas-Fort Worth area can go a long way in attaining affordability. That’s where commission rebates come in.

Simply put, a commission rebate - also known as a homebuyer rebate - is a portion of the buyer’s agent’s commission paid by the owner returned to you once you close on a home. Brokerages specializing in commission rebates design a structured approach to help buyers unlock extra savings.

For instance, Prevu offers the largest commission rebate in Texas, leveraging its investment in digital homebuying tools that help streamline the homebuying process. The brokerage’s Smart Buyer Rebate can secure buyers a rebate of up to 1% of the home’s final purchase price.

These savings are invaluable for offsetting expensive closing costs, starting a renovation or furnishing budget, or simply replenishing your funds after a sizable down payment. 

How much do utilities cost?

Focusing on the big things when inspecting a potential home is normal, but the details are equally important. 

Knowing how much you’ll have to pay when the electric and gas bill comes will give you an idea of your monthly expenses. Dallas summers can get notoriously hot, and the scorching temperatures can quickly drive that electric bill up. 

Of course, many factors can come into play - how well the home is insulated, how modern the HVAC system is, green features - that can affect that final number, but it’s always important to find out how much the previous owners were paying before you commit.

Be sure to ask for the most recent utility bills and some a few months back, ideally for the hottest and coldest months. You want to get an idea of any increase and how much the costs were when the AC and heating were used the most. 

How old are the roof and major systems?

If you’re pressed for time and don’t have the flexibility to examine every detail, at least pay attention to the roof and major systems.

The roof's age and the overall state of the HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems are some of the essential bits of information you should have access to before you even begin to consider buying a home in Dallas.

Replacing or fixing these features will almost always strain your savings, as they are the most expensive. Working with an experienced home inspector is paramount, as they will guide you on the state of every primary system. 

The age of the roof depends on craftsmanship and the materials used. Some roofs of a certain age may need to be replaced sooner if made from cheaper materials, while others can last much longer without fixes.

Why is the home for sale?

This information isn’t always easy to obtain, but it doesn’t hurt to try, and it can sometimes help structure a more effective negotiation strategy.

The seller isn’t obligated to disclose why they are selling their home. However, your buyer’s agent can potentially gain some insight into the background of the sale by chatting with the listing agent or the seller directly. 

Any information you can get, whether it’s an emergency sale, a home upgrade, or the seller being in a rush because they need to move sooner, can help make an informed decision. 

Are there any insurance claims?

Be sure not to skip this question, as it can reveal past issues such as water damage from flooding, necessary roof repairs after storms, or structural concerns that have impacted the property. These details can point to potential red flags and areas needing a more thorough examination.

To access this information, potential buyers should request the Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange (CLUE) report from the seller. This report, which can be acquired by the homeowner from their insurance provider, details the property’s Insurance Claims over the last five to seven years. Analyzing this report helps potential buyers understand the severity and frequency of incidents that led to insurance claims, which can affect the property's insurability and future insurance premiums.

If significant past claims are uncovered, work closely with your agent to ensure the home purchase is worth pursuing. Every bit of information you can find is crucial for assessing the condition and value of the home, negotiating the purchase price, and preparing for any potential future problems.

Were there any major renovations?

Understanding the scope and quality of renovations—whether they involve vital areas like the roof, plumbing, and electrical systems or significant spaces like the kitchen and bathrooms—helps assess the home's functionality and aesthetic appeal. 

Determining whether the work was done professionally or as a DIY project by previous owners affects the renovation's durability and safety. Asking for receipts, warranties, and permits can provide assurances about the work's standard and compliance with local building regulations. Additionally, renovations can impact insurance premiums and the property's overall value; for instance, modernized utilities may lower insurance costs, whereas high-end finishes can increase property value.

Finally, ensuring all renovations have been appropriately documented and approved is vital. Verifying that the necessary permits were obtained confirms that the renovations were carried out legally and following building codes, ensuring the safety and legality of the modifications.  

Interested in buying a home in Dallas? Browse listings and see how much you can save with Prevu’s Smart Buyer Rebate.