The VERY first question to ask a prospective seller

[Shera Gregory]

After one sentence of who I am and why I'm calling .. "Is this a good time to talk?"

I returned a call today to someone who had responded to a very small mailing I did recently. My business habits kicked in so I asked if it was was a good time to talk. He said that it really wasn't since he was at a funeral. You might think that people wouldn't answer the phone if they don't want to be bothered, but sometimes (like when you are at a funeral) you think "this might be important" and then it's just someone wanting to buy your house. Because I asked this first question I was able to very quickly agree on another time to call back and didn't create any unnecessary ill feelings.

[Mark Brogan]

after I go through the details of the house 

The most important question I think to ask is why would you sell that nice house?

Then just listen, the seller will usually tell you exactly what they need in or for you to buy house 

Good luck