Did someone DIE in this house? OR . . . Home Buyers say the darndest things

Did someone DIE in this house? OR . . .  Home Buyers say the darndest things. I love working with home buyers – especially first-time home buyers, and I’ve started a journal of some of the darndest and common questions home buyers ask.

A young couple was searching for a home in Midtown Tulsa and although they wanted to live in the area because of the biking trails, farmers markets, outdoor concerts, and restaurants on Cherry Street and Brookside, they were somewhat apprehensive about purchasing an older home. We were in a beautiful home built in the early 1920s that was somewhat dated and this young home buyer suddenly turned to me and asked, “Did someone DIE in this house?”  I laughed and responded, “This house is ninety years old – I would hope that several people have been able to die here, in their own home!”  Then, we had another conversation about ghosts having good karma which I won’t bore you with. However, if you’re concerned about whether or not there’s been a death in this home, we can certainly ask the Seller.

The Most Common Question From Home Buyers is, “Why Are the Owners Selling?” 

Well, I have no clue. NO where in the “secret section” of our MLS (Multiple Listing Service) sheet does it include WHY a home owner is selling. We can look up what was paid for the property, type of financing, mortgage balance, comparable sales in the area and a few bits of information that may help us formulate a sales offer amount, but we have no clue if the home sellers are down-sizing, getting divorced, unemployed or otherwise. Bottom line – it’s none of your business why the Sellers are selling this home.

“Is This a Good Neighborhood ?”

This is one of the common questions home buyers ask.  First of all, the word “good” is completely subjective. I can tell you what I like or dislike about the neighborhood. For example, I can tell you that I like the lot sizes, style of homes and proximity to retail shopping or restaurants. I can tell you that there is a railroad track that runs in the middle of the night or that the area is apt to flooding, but I can NOT tell you whether a neighborhood is “good.”  I will suggest to ALL home buyers that they drive by at different times of day/night to form their own opinion of the neighborhood.

Did someone DIE in this house? OR . . .  Home Buyers say the darndest things

“Will this home increase in value?” 

Now, that’s a responsible question and another one I can’t answer. I can show you trends and historical data for that particular neighborhood and give you my personal opinion as to whether or not a home will hold its value or increase or value, but I can’t promise you anything. If I knew the answer to that question FOR SURE, I would be buying property instead of helping you buy.

And Here’s More Questions Home Buyers Ask

“Are there children in the neighborhood the same age as our children?”  Don’t know. Drive the neighborhood during the day.

“What’s the crime rate in this neighborhood and is it safe?”  Don’t know – let me give you a web site where you can look that up. Better yet, visit the closest police station and inquire there.

“What type of people live here?”  I don’t know. Here is a link to the Census Fact Finder.

I know it seems like I’m asking you to do all the homework after you’ve selected me to represent you and guide you in your home purchase. Please understand that I want and HAVE to comply with the restrictions and guidelines of the Fair Housing Act and answering many of these questions would be in blatant violation. I am happy to guide you to the resources you need to satisfy any of your concerns and I’m much better about answering questions about whether the hot water heater needs to be raised!