Questions to Ask the Agent Before You Make an Offer

The right questions turn a pretty listing into a clear-eyed decision. Here's what to ask the listing agent, organized by system, before you write an offer.

The ten second check

What else is typical in a house this age?

Type the year the house was built and I will tell you what else tends to be true at that age, what it costs, and what to ask. One number, ten seconds.

Free. No account. Educational and impartial, not a home inspection.

Electrical

How old is the electrical panel, and what brand is it?
Is there any knob-and-tube or aluminum wiring?
What's the service size, 60, 100, or 200 amp?

Plumbing & water

What are the water pipes made of, copper, PEX, poly-B, or galvanized?
How old is the water heater, and is it owned or rented?
Is the service line lead?

Roof, heating & structure

How old is the roof, and has it ever leaked?
How old is the furnace, and is there an oil tank?
Any known foundation movement or basement water?

The one that ties it together

Ask: has anyone had trouble insuring this home? Coverage problems point straight at the costly issues, see uninsurable homes. First purchase? The first-time home buyer guide covers the costs and checks people miss. Once the answers come back, the offer adjustment calculator puts a Canadian range against each problem so the number you bring to the table came from somewhere real.

Common questions

Will the agent actually answer these?

Often yes, and a vague or evasive answer is itself a signal to dig deeper or price in the risk.

What if I don't get answers before offering?

Make the answers a condition of the offer, alongside a home inspection, so you can walk or renegotiate if something turns up.

Last reviewed 2026-07-02. This guide is general education, not a home inspection and not advice for your specific property. Always consult the appropriate licensed professional, and get a licensed home inspection before you remove conditions or buy. Cost ranges are 2026 estimates that vary by region, size, and access.

Score a listing before you tour it

Casaroo reads any listing for the bones as well as the appearance, free, in seconds.

Free listing check →