Buying a property is complicated and the devil is in the details. If you don’t pay attention, you could stuck in a home that’s not a good fit for your preferences and costing you a huge chunk of money.

But this can be avoided by asking the right questions which could save you from spending a great deal of money and having heartache in the long run.

Here’s a guide on what to ask when buying a new and sub-sale property.

1. The location, nearby amenities and the connectivity and accessibility

• How close are the nearest hospitals, stores and other common services?

• Are there any local nuisances to be aware of, like noisy neighbours, constant construction, traffic bottleneck, or areas where police patrols regularly?

• How long is the commute to your workplace during the peak hours?

• How hot (or cold) is the area’s real estate market?

Tips: It’s crucial to learn about the community and neighborhood where you’re buying, preferably before house hunting and certainly before making an offer. This will allow you to find out whether it is an ideal place that matches your preferences in staying or investing.

2. About the price and the seller

• How does the selling price compare to the market value? Have there been reductions in the asking price since it was listed?

• How long has the house been on the market? Has there been any offers?

• Is there any discounts or rebates on the selling price (if you are buying from a developer) or is there any room for negotiation on the price?

• How long has the seller own/stay in the property?

Tips: Asking these questions will allow you to assess the quality of the property and its level of desirability and also find out if this is a distressed sale through the length of occupancy of the seller.

3. The details of the property and the deal

• What are the running costs (utility bills, quit rent, assessment tax, fire insurance, etc) for the property? 

• What’s included with the sale? Are the fixtures and fittings, cabinets, water heaters and appliances included?

• Have there been previous structural problems with the property, or repairs which have been necessary?

• Will the seller agree to a home inspection before signing the dotted line? 

Tips: You can find out if this is a good deal that you have been seeking by asking these questions and whether the property is still in a good condition without major flaws that would affect the selling price.

Last but not least, ask yourself: “would my family and I be able to live there?” if you are buying for own-stay, and “would I pay rent to live there?” if you are buying for investment.

An estate agent is particularly useful in advising on a property’s liveability and investment potential. Hence, it is best to appoint a professional estate agent to assist you in making the best-informed decision.