It's an exciting time when you start thinking about putting in an offer on a home - you've been through the process of finding a reputable real estate agent, and you're finally ready to move forward with making an offer. But before you do, it's important that you ask your real estate agent some key questions. Doing so will help you avoid any potential pitfalls and ensure that you're getting the best possible deal on your dream home. It’s also important to arrange professional building inspections in Melbourne.

Take note of the following questions, and be sure to run through all of these with your real estate agent before committing to what’s probably going to be the largest purchase of your life:

1. How long has the home been on the market?

2. What is the current owner's motivation for selling?

3. Have there been any other offers made on the home? If so, what were they?

4. What are the recent comparable sales in the neighbourhood?

5. What are the property taxes?

6. What is included in the sale (e.g. appliances, window treatments etc.)?

7. What kind of repairs or renovations will need to be made?

8. How long will it take to close on the home?

9. Are there any contingencies that need to be met in order for the sale to go through (such as property inspection or financing)?

10. What is the seller's bottom line?

11. Can you provide me with a copy of the listing agreement?

12. Can you provide me with a list of references from past clients?

13. What are your fees?

14. What are your qualifications and experience?

15. Do you have any other homes that meet my criteria that I may also be interested in seeing?

16. How often do you communicate with your clients during the buying process? And how do you prefer to communicate (e.g., phone, email, text)?

These are just a few of the questions that you should consider asking your real estate agent when putting in an offer on a home. By doing so, you can avoid any potential pitfalls and ensure that you're getting the best possible deal on your dream home. With a little due diligence, you'll be one step closer to making your home ownership dreams come true.