Duplex 101 / 06
Questions to Ask Before You Write an Offer
By Sonia Felix, REALTOR® | byfelix.
Oakwyn Realty Downtown
The moment before the offer
You are looking at a listing you like. Your REALTOR® asks if you are ready to write. You say yes, because the house feels right, and you are not sure what else there is to ask.
Most buyers walk into an offer thinking only about price. Price matters. It is one input among several that decide whether this is a good deal and a good fit.
1. Is the asking price supported by comps?
Ask for the suggested price per square foot based on recent comparable sales, not the listing. That number should anchor your offer, not the seller's ask. How to read it.
2. What else can be negotiated?
Price is not the only lever. Sometimes the better move is asking for appliances, fixtures or a specific repair instead of a lower number.
3. What is the real risk of going subject free?
It can win a bidding war. It also means no financing condition, no inspection condition and nothing protecting you if something is wrong. You should understand exactly what you are giving up before you agree, not after.
4. Can you add parking or storage?
These are often treated as fixed. They frequently are not, particularly in newer projects. Ask before assuming the answer is no.
5. What has this builder built before?
On new construction, the builder's other projects tell you more about quality, and about how problems get handled after completion, than any brochure. Visit them. Talk to owners if you can.
6. What is the realistic value in five and ten years?
Not a guess. A read on the neighbourhood's trajectory, permit activity, zoning changes and what is driving demand in that specific pocket, not the citywide headline.
The pattern
An offer is not one question. It is six or seven, and the ones you do not think to ask are usually the ones that cost you later.
Bring the list
Bring these questions to whoever you are working with. If you do not have someone yet, this is the conversation I would want to have with you before you write.
Common questions
- What should I ask before making an offer on a duplex?
Ask about comparable sales, negotiable inclusions, subject free risk, parking and storage, the builder's history, and five to ten year value.
- Is a subject free offer a good idea?
Only if your financing is fully approved and you have inspected the property beforehand. It removes your protections in exchange for competitiveness.
- How do I check a Vancouver builder's reputation?
Visit their completed projects, speak to current owners, and confirm the builder is licensed with BC Housing and the home has registered warranty coverage.