What Questions Should I Ask When Touring a Home in Texas?

Walking through a home and falling in love with the kitchen is easy. Leaving the tour with the information you actually need to make a sound decision is harder. Here are the specific questions to ask on every tour — before your emotions get ahead of your due diligence.

About the Property's History

• How long has the home been on the market, and have there been any previous contracts that fell through?
• Has the seller completed any major repairs or improvements, and when were they done?
• Are there any known issues with the foundation, roof, plumbing, or HVAC that have been repaired or are currently unresolved?
• Has the property ever flooded or had water intrusion inside the structure?
• Is the property in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area, and has flood insurance been required by any previous lender?

About the Mechanicals and Systems

• When was the roof last replaced, and are there records of the replacement or any warranty?
• How old is the HVAC system, and has it been serviced regularly?
• What is the water source — municipal or well — and when was the water heater last replaced?
• Are there any active permits or unpermitted additions or improvements on the property?
• Is the property connected to city sewer or a private septic system? If septic, when was it last pumped and inspected?

About the Neighborhood and Community

• Is the property in an HOA, and what are the current monthly or annual dues?
• Are there any pending special assessments from the HOA?
• Which school campus does this address feed to at each level — elementary, middle, and high school?
• What is the traffic pattern on this street at morning and evening peak hours?
• Are there any current or planned developments, commercial projects, or road construction in the immediate area?

About the Transaction

• Why is the seller selling, and what is their timeline?
• Are there any items the seller intends to exclude from the sale — appliances, light fixtures, mounted televisions, or landscaping?
• What is the seller's preferred closing date?
• Are there any existing offers or backup contracts on the property?
• Is the seller willing to consider concessions toward buyer closing costs?

Why These Questions Matter

Every question above maps to something specific in the TREC contract or the due diligence process. Knowing about the flood zone before your offer means you budget for flood insurance from the start. Knowing about the roof age means you know what to prioritize in the inspection. Knowing the seller's motivation and timeline gives your agent leverage in negotiating the best terms. The best time to get this information is during the showing — before emotions have fully committed you to the property.

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