The Scenario: You're at a party listening to a couple you've never met
talk about a house they just purchased. You want to know the cost of the
house. You:
Do not ask.
Asking this kind of nosy question is rude. They will volunteer the information
if they want people to know.
Politely ask:
"Do you mind telling me how much you paid for the house?"
Ask how much
they paid for the house, and how many rooms they have had sex in. They'll
answer the first question to make it easier to dodge the second one. And,
what the hell, they might answer both!
Don't ask them
directly. The price is public record. You can go to the County Clerk's
office to get the information. They'll probably lie about the price anyway.
See no need
to ask. You'll just drive by the house and check the price tag.