Well let’s put it this way. You are looking to buy a house and that house could have some history, or so could the neighborhood.

You’ve now looked at a house and are interested but are you fully informed? Houses are expensive and if you buy one to live in you could be planning to live there for ten years or forty. So it’s in your best interest to get to know as much as you can about the house.

If you are using an agent and want real answers you are going to have to ask some very pointed questions. Like, is the house structurally sound? And the answer could be come back as I don’t know, maybe you should hire an inspector. You could ask if the house has a history. The answer could be all houses have a history.

Depending on the agent you are talking to the answers could vary greatly. Then is the agent working for you or is the agent working for the seller? Remember if you don’t buy someone won’t get paid.

So as part of doing your homework ask your agent as many questions as you can think of even have them written down on a piece of paper so you can go through them.

Next, search the internet. Type in the address of the house for sale, then add words like haunted, suicide, murder, or whatever words you feel like putting in. It’s better to know before you buy.

Now, you’ve talked to your agent, and done an internet search, and now it’s down to the nitty-gritty. Take a look for a house close by and preferably one with a view of the house you are considering purchasing. Knock on the door and introduce yourself. Let them know that you are considering buying the house and would like to know what they can tell you about it. If you are lucky, you’ll come across an older couple who have been living there for many years. They can tell you about the neighborhood, they can also tell you about the house. They know, they really know.

It may take a bit of work to get them to open up and you may have to talk to two or three neighbors but think about it if you do purchase the place they will be your neighbors.

What questions should you ask? This will differ for everyone for instance I don’t want to buy into a haunted house, a house where someone has passed away or was murdered. That’s me what about you?

Take some time writing up a list of your own. it could be ten questions it could be more it could be less. Know this talking to the neighbors is time well spent and it could save you a lot of grief down the road.

Never let yourself be left asking yourself Why didn’t I just ask the neighbors?