AMAZING questions to ask an agent

Yep, I generally ask after I've built rapport.

It indicates levels of motivation of the seller - a highly motivated seller may be more inclined to negotiate on price. While the answer may not always be particularly helpful (i.e generic 'downsizing', 'upgrading'), I've had instances where the agent has told me that the vendors have bought elsewhere, and as mentioned earlier even had an agent tell me that the vendors were going through a divorce (with the property sitting there un-tenanted, costing them money). Unfortunately not a great situation for them , but it helps me gauge their willingness to sell.

 

Definitely is a legitimate question, but it's no ones business except the sellers!

 

Not directly but every now and then you get a hint or a response that makes you curious.

Only once have I found a serious problem with a property that I was planning on buying. The agents never told me directly about the problem but after talking with them at a couple of the opens I did have a suspicion that something might be wrong. This suspicion turned out to be correct.

Is it no one's business if the vendor is an owner occupier or investor, how much the vendor paid for the property and when, how much the neighors paid and when, if the vendor has already bought somewhere else etc? If I'm spending hundreds of thoudsands or even millions then I believe it is my business as a buyer.

 

Yeah that's totally cool. To be honest I think you are coming at it from a different perspective from most of us, you being a BA. To me, I'm really not worried about building a rapport with agents as I have better ways to spend my time. If I was going to be buying lots of properties in one region over a sustained period of time then yes, there would definitely be a purpose. When I am buying properties in general I take no prisoners. I push the agent to places they don't like to go, I make lowball offers and I will only buy under market value. If I don't get the deal for the price I want then I move on and get the next one.

 

I don't see the same agents over and over again so I'm not really worried about building a relationship either. I just make sure I'm polite like I do in all aspects of life.

I've never considered asking "why are the vendors selling" a confrontational or invasive question. I always looked at it as innocuous and easy for the agent to answer which is why it's generally my lead when we start talking business. Another lead I use from time-to-time is "so what's the story with this place?". Very opened ended.

 

I think knowing if the house was owner occupied or rented out matters since I feel an OO house may be in better condition since an OO may take better care of their own place.

 

A lot of the things raised can be of use to know, some things may matter more than others, but it is the way you find this out that makes a difference, I think this was the main point a few of us made.

If it is a buyers market you may even be able to get away with more than datto does

 

The bleeding obvious. "what will the owners take". There are thousands of vendor crunching agents out there that will tell you straight away. Easy.

 

Yeah, pretty close to "what do you think it will sell for?"
If they hum and haw about what it's on for, move on to the next one.

 

I was at an auction two weeks ago, the house was a deceased estate. A lady asked the agent a few minutes before auction started 'did the owner die in the house'.... there were a few strange looks towards her.

 

Woah, that's up there with dropping a deuce in the bathroom during an open house.
@Leo2413 may or may not approve if it achieved the desired outcome

 

My daughter viewed a property in Newcastle for me a couple of weeks ago. She asked the agent whether the permit parking in the street would apply to this unit block which has no parking. His response was "I don't know. You would need to check with the Council."

But I was surprised the agent (a) didn't know about the permit parking, and (b) did not endeavour to find out from the Council himself.

 

They probably know/knew, but this is for you to find out, they are not going to point out negatives.

 

Exactly!
If he was honest, he should have just said "No. The parking permit does not apply."
Needless to say, I have not pursued this property with this particular agent.

 

Is there enough space in the backyard to build a temple?