Resource for For Sale By Owners in DC, Maryland, and Virginia

The most challenging part of selling a home is answering all the inquiries (emails, texts, social messages, and phone calls) that come in from potential buyers and real estate agents representing buyers.

You want to respond to every inquiry quickly, ideally within the first 5 minutes, since some buyers are actively looking at homes. Also, if you’re not careful when you schedule a showing, you’ll get your home ready endlessly for buyers who have little interest in making an offer. This can get exhausting.

Here are the questions I recommend you ask every buyer before you schedule a home showing:

1. How long have you been looking?

2. Do you rent or own your current home? Rent amount?

3. Must you sell your home or complete a lease period before buying? How long is the lease?

4. How soon do you need to move?

5. If we find the right property, are you prepared to make a decision now?

6. What is your price range?

7. Do you have a budget for monthly payments?

8. Has a lender pre-qualified you for a loan? If so, for how much?

9. What’s the name of the lender that pre-qualified you?

10. How much cash do you want to use for the purchase?

11. Is there a particular location you prefer?

12. How many bedrooms do you need? Square feet? Units?

13. Will anyone else be helping you make the buying decision?

14. What special requirements do you need in a property?

15. Where are you employed?

16. Where is your spouse employed?

17. What times are best for you to view the home?

18. How do you like to communicate—by phone, fax, mail, or e-mail?

19. What's the best time to reach you? At what number?

20. Have you purchased a home before?

WARNING! Make sure you don’t ask any questions that can get you in trouble with fair housing. You cannot deny a showing to any person based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin or sexual orientation.