As a first-time homebuyer, one of the most exhilarating parts of the process is getting to walk through various homes, peering into all the rooms and picturing yourself making a life in them.

However, between the whirlwind of emotions and the pressure to make a good first impression, it may be easy to forget those key questions that could make or break an initial home tour. Follow this guide to help you get the most out of these showings, here are some pressing inquiries you may want to pose—along with a few you can politely skip.

What to ask

Why are the owners selling?
Although some may consider this a personal question to ask you have every right to bring it up as a potential buyer. The owners may simply be moving closer to a new job or family, but if part of their reasoning has to do with something that may affect you as the new owner, you’ll want to know what it is. While the seller may dance around the subject, their answer can give you a hint about the property’s current condition or or the quality of the neighborhood.

How long has the house been on the market?
A recently listed property might generate more interest, driving up the competition. Conversely, listings that linger can indicate underlying issues that have turned other buyers off. If a house has been on the market for longer than normal, you may be able to gain additional negotiating leverage. An owner struggling to sell may accept a lower offer or agree to cover your closing costs.

Have there been any other offers?
You might want to ask this question with the previous one to get a full scope of the interest level on the house. Inquire about any previously received bids, whether they were withdrawn or rejected, and why. The answers can help you gauge the house’s desirability as well as the seller’s degree of pickiness and receptivity to offers.

Have there been any major repairs or renovations done to the property?
Ask about any upgrades made to the house, whether out of necessity or personal taste, and who carried them out. Any significant remodeling should have ideally been completed by a qualified expert; otherwise, there may likely be further issues in the future. Additionally, if the necessary permits weren’t obtained, that could constitute a code violation.

In addition, review the official seller’s disclosure. And before closing on the house, you should undergo a professional home inspection just to be certain no major issues are overlooked. The inspector will inform you of any problems that currently exist and what needs to be fixed.

What to keep to yourself

I love this place.
As with any type of negotiation, once you reveal your cards, you may end up losing some of your power. Avoid being overly enthusiastic about the home on your first tour—it may make it seem like you’d pay anything to get it, leading the seller to push up the price.

I hate this place.
Not every home you see will check all your boxes, and it’s only natural to make observational comments as you meander through the tour. Just make sure to avoid getting too critical, however. While the size of an offer may be a prominent factor in whether it gets accepted, it is not the only one. In a bidding war, the house may go not to the highest bidder but to the one who believes it is the best fit for them and their family. If you say anything negative about the home on the first tour, your commentary may be remembered, causing both the real estate agent and the seller to not trust an offer from you if you ultimately decide it’s the right fit.

What’s the lowest you’ll go?
If you ask this question, you may risk losing the house altogether. It may come across as impolite to the seller and their agent, especially if you have not put in a formal offer yet. And once you do, the seller may take the highest offer without even considering yours, assuming it’ll be an egregious lowball. Show the seller you are making a well-informed decision by using your budget to put in a serious offer that fairly reflects their listed price, even if you go a bit below it.

While these questions are essential, don’t underestimate the power of intuition. Pay attention to how the home and neighborhood makes you feel. Every initial home tour is an information-gathering event that help you gain valuable insights into helping you decide if this could be your dream home. However, perhaps the most important question to ask is, “Can I see myself living here?” Don’t hesitate to schedule a follow-up tour or talk to your real estate agent if you have additional questions. The more informed you are, the more confident you’ll feel when making an offer.