Do you know the history of your home? How you respond to this question may dictate whether you're equipped to maximize the value of your residence. As a home seller, you'll want to know when your home was built and other facts about the condition of your residence before you add it to the real estate market. And with the right amount of research, you should be able to find out plenty about your residence and share this information with prospective homebuyers. Some of the key home history questions that every home seller should consider include: 1. How Old Is Your Home's Roof? An old roof could become a costly repair that no homeowner wants to encounter. However, home sellers who understand when their roof has been repaired or replaced can share this information with homebuyers and empower these buyers with additional details to help them make an informed decision. Remember, an old roof won't necessarily deter homebuyers from checking out your house. At the same time, you'll want to account for your roof's condition when you price your residence. Also, you may consider completing roof renovations before you list your home on the real estate market, as these repairs may help differentiate your residence from similar homes that are available. 2. When Was Your Hot Water Heater and/or Furnace Replaced? A homebuyer surely wants a home that is easy to heat. And if you've replaced your home's hot water heater or furnace recently, you likely will be better equipped to optimize the value of your residence. If you're uncertain about the age of your home's hot water heater or furnace, you'll want to have these items tested by professionals to ensure their quality. Typically, an average hot water heater will last between eight and 12 years; comparatively, an oil furnace usually will last up to 10 years, while a gas furnace may perform well for up to 20 years. And if it's been some time since these products have been repaired or replaced, you may want to consider installing new ones before you add your home to the real estate market. 3. What Is the Age of Your Air Conditioning System? While the hot water heater and furnace are likely to generate concerns from homebuyers, the condition of your home's air conditioning system probably will do the same. Like many appliances, your home's A/C system will start to break down over an extended period of time. This commonly happens after 10 to 15 years, but home sellers who have maintained and repaired their A/C system regularly may be able to reduce the need to replace this unit. Focus on finding out as much information as possible about your home and sharing this information with homebuyers. By doing so, you are able to be fully transparent about what your residence offers homebuyers. Thus, you may be able to speed up the process of selling your home. Dedicate the time and resources needed to learn about the history of your home, and ultimately, you'll be better equipped to find homebuyers who are interested in your residence.