Rebecca Sabot
Real Estate Agent
© 2026 Rebecca Sabot. All rights reserved.

Most buyers ask the obvious questions—price, square footage, number of bedrooms.

But the deals that go sideways? The regrets that show up a few months after closing?

Those usually come from the questions that never got asked.

If you’re buying a home in Bismarck or Mandan, here are the questions that quietly matter the most—and why skipping them can cost you.

WHAT HAS ACTUALLY BEEN UPDATED—AND WHAT HASN’T?

A home can look updated without actually being updated.

Fresh paint and new flooring are easy. Mechanical systems are not.

Ask:

• How old is the roof, furnace, AC, and water heater?
• Are there any known issues with plumbing or electrical?
• Were updates cosmetic or structural?
• Were permits pulled for major work?

This is where “it looks great” and “it is solid” can be two very different things.

WHY IS THE SELLER REALLY MOVING?

You won’t always get the full story—but you can often get enough context to read between the lines.

Job relocation feels different than “we’ve outgrown the home”… which feels different than “we’re ready for something else.”

Ask:

• How long has the seller lived here?
• Have there been any recent price reductions?
• Has the home come back on the market before?

Patterns tell stories. Pay attention to them.

WHAT ARE THE TRUE MONTHLY COSTS?

The purchase price is just the beginning.

Buyers often forget to fully understand what it actually costs to live in the home month to month.

Ask:

• What are average utility costs throughout the year?
• Are there HOA fees or special assessments?
• What are property taxes—and are they expected to change?
• Are there upcoming neighborhood improvements that could impact costs?

A home that feels comfortable at purchase can feel very different once the full monthly picture shows up.

HOW DOES THIS HOME COMPARE—REALLY?

Scrolling online listings can create a false sense of comparison.

What matters is how the home stacks up against recent sales—not what’s currently active.

Ask your agent:

• What have similar homes actually sold for in the last 3–6 months?
• How long did they take to sell?
• Were there price reductions?

As a full-time realtor, this is one of the biggest gaps I see—buyers relying on list prices instead of sold data. That’s how people overpay.

WHAT WILL RESALE LOOK LIKE?

Even if you think this is your “forever home,” life has a funny way of changing plans.

Smart buyers think about resale before they ever close.

Ask:

• Is this floor plan widely appealing?
• Are there any location drawbacks (busy street, backing to commercial, etc.)?
• How does this neighborhood perform over time?
• Will future buyers see this as a step-up home or a compromise?

You’re not just buying a home—you’re buying your future exit strategy.

WHAT DON’T I KNOW YET?

This is the simplest—and most overlooked—question.

Ask your agent directly:

“What should I be thinking about that I’m not asking?”

A good agent will slow you down (in a good way), point out blind spots, and help you think a few steps ahead.

If everything feels rushed and surface-level, something is missing.

SUMMARY

The difference between a smooth purchase and a stressful one often comes down to better questions—not better luck.

In the Bismarck-Mandan market, where inventory and competition can shift quickly, asking the right questions gives you clarity, confidence, and leverage.

If you want help breaking down a specific home, comparing options, or pressure-testing a decision before you move forward, I’m always happy to help.

Rebecca Sabot
Real Estate Agent
© 2026 Rebecca Sabot. All rights reserved.