“Where’s the best pizza?” You just moved into your new home.   You’re starving after a long day unpacking and this is one of your first questions.

You’ve just unpacked a million boxes. Do you know when trash pick up is at your new home?

These are critical questions when you’re trying to settle in and feel at home in your new home.  But rarely does anyone suggest a buyer ask these questions of the seller before moving in.

In last Sunday’s  Seattle Times, there was a list of questions to ask the seller before moving day.   The Times article raised a number of questions that should be asked before a buyer moves in, so the move will be easier.  It’s hard enough to move, without scrambling to find a pizza place that’s open on moving day.

The following is a list of suggested questions buyers should ask of sellers from The Seattle Times article:

1. Are any appliances under warranty?

2. Do you have product manuals for appliances?

3. Can you provide a landscape plan or a list of outdoor plants and how to care for them?

4. What are the names and phone numbers of immediate neighbors?

5. Are there children living on the street?

6. Where is the school-bus stop?

7. What day is trash pickup?

8. What do I do with recyclables?

9. What are your favorite restaurants, video stores and parks?

10. Can you recommend a dry cleaner, mechanic, etc.?

11. What companies did you use for lawn care, snow removal, pool cleaning, etc.?

12. Is there an electrician, plumber or technician familiar with the systems in the house?

13. What are the names of the paint colors used in the house?

14. Are there any light switches that operate something unexpected?

This is a good list, but I think there’s more that can be asked, such as:

1. Do you have any carpet, tile or flooring samples?
2. What’s the carpet style and color name? Where did you buy it?
3. How do you clean the furnace filters?
4. Do you have a maintenance contract for any of your systems, such as the furnace?
5. If there’s a sprinkler system, do you have the system blown out and serviced every fall? Who does that for you?
6. Is the alarm system monitored?  Who monitors it and what’s their phone number?
7. Are there any warranties for the roof, furnace, windows or other systems?
8. What’s the best supermarket?
9. Is there a park n’ ride lot nearby?
10. Where’s the nearest bus stop?

What if you and the seller had long, drawn out negotiations or a difficult building inspection?  Sometimes buyers and sellers end up feeling a lot of animosity towards each other.  The seller wants nothing to do with you, the buyer, so it can be difficult to get the answers to these questions.

Early in the transaction, before the building inspection is completed, and the seller has gotten involved in packing and moving,  ask the questions that are important to you.

As a listing agent, how can you help sellers be prepared with the answers to these questions? Have the seller answer a list of typical questions before the home goes on the market.  The answers can be given to the buyer when the offer is accepted.  It smooths out the sale and the closing for both the buyer and the seller.

What other questions should buyers ask to learn more about the home and the neighborhood?