Five Questions to Ask Before You Tour Your First Home

Touring Homes Is More Than Just Looking Around

It's easy to get swept up in a beautifully staged living room or a great kitchen island. But the homes that end up being the right fit are usually the ones where buyers asked a few grounding questions before falling in love. Whether you're touring your first home in Worthington or your fifth in Dublin, these five questions will help you see past the staging.

1. What Would It Cost to Fix What I Can See?

An aging roof, an outdated HVAC system, or cosmetic wear isn't necessarily a dealbreaker — but it should factor into your offer. Walk through with a rough sense of what repairs or updates typically cost in this market, and don't be afraid to ask your agent or an inspector for ballpark numbers on the spot.

2. How Does This House Compare to Others Nearby?

A house doesn't exist in a vacuum. Understanding recent sales in the same school district or neighborhood gives you a real sense of whether the asking price reflects the current market or an optimistic guess.

3. What Will My Commute Actually Look Like?

Central Ohio communities like Hilliard, Powell, and Grandview each have very different commute profiles depending on where you work. Drive the route yourself, ideally at the time of day you'd actually be commuting, before you get attached to a house.

4. Am I Buying the House or the Staging?

Professional staging is designed to make a space feel larger, warmer, and more move-in ready than it may actually be. Try to mentally strip out the furniture and styling and picture the bones of the house — layout, natural light, storage — on their own merits.

5. What Don't I Know Yet?

Every house has something you can't learn from a single walkthrough: how loud the street gets, how the HOA handles maintenance requests, whether the schools fit your family. Make a list of open questions after each tour, and don't be shy about asking your agent to help track them down before you write an offer.

•     Bring a notepad or use your phone to jot down impressions right after each showing — homes blur together faster than you'd expect

•     Revisit any home you're seriously considering at a different time of day

•     Ask about utility costs, HOA fees, and property taxes upfront, not after you've fallen for the house

The Bottom Line

The best home-buying decisions come from a mix of instinct and information. Let yourself feel excited about a house — but pair that excitement with a few grounding questions before you commit. 

Margaret Lipp | RE/MAX Premier Choice

Serving Upper Arlington, Dublin, Worthington, Clintonville, Hilliard, Powell, Grandview, and all Central Ohio communities

Data source: Columbus REALTORS® Central Ohio Housing Report, June 2026. Statistics reflect Columbus & Central Ohio Regional MLS data and are believed accurate but not guaranteed.