House Hunting List
Most house hunters - whether new to the process or experienced - want to buy their ideal house. And, it's easy to lose sight of your goals with all the homes in , that seem like good candidates (list price, location, etc.).
To help you narrow down your "possibilities" list from online to the list of places you tour, take this checklist along when you go shopping for your house. Put an emphasis on the items that are most valuable to you. It'll help you put things in line and use realistic ways to measure the homes you're looking at now. By thinking through this list, you'll easily judge the characteristics of two or three homes. Click here to print this page.
| Home Buyer Checklist | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Property Address | |||
| Asking Price | $ | $ | $ |
| Real Estate Taxes | $ | $ | $ |
| The Community | |||
| Minutes Away From the Job | |||
| Minutes Away From Schools | |||
| Close to Shops | |||
| Interstates Nearby | |||
| Minutes Away From Train Stations | |||
| Close to Physicians | |||
| Close to Churches | |||
| Garbage Collection | |||
| Traffic Warnings | |||
| Kid Friendly | |||
| Streets / Alleys Well-Maintained | |||
| Traffic Volume | |||
| Walking / Biking Trails | |||
| Neighbors' Properties Well-Maintained | |||
| Major Appliances Installed | |||
| HOA Rules | |||
| Miles Away From Airports / Trains | |||
| Area Zoned Residential | |||
| Near Industry | |||
| Proposed Special Assessments | |||
| Green-Friendly Neighborhood | |||
| The Home | |||
| Age of House | |||
| No. of Floors | |||
| Wood Frame, Brick Frame or Siding | |||
| Roof Quality | |||
| Foundation Appearance | |||
| Overall Exterior Condition | |||
| Garage Size | |||
| No. of Bathrooms | |||
| No. of Closets | |||
| No. of Bedrooms | |||
| Oil, Gas or Electric Heat | |||
| Insulation | |||
| Central Air Conditioning | |||
| Energy-Conservation Features | |||
| Age of Heating System | |||
| Age of Water Heater | |||
| Capacity of Water Heater | |||
| Age of Electrical Wiring | |||
| Plumbing Condition | |||
| Estimated Water Bill | $ | $ | $ |
| Estimated Heating Bill | $ | $ | $ |
| Estimated Electric Bill | $ | $ | $ |
| Living Spaces | |||
| Fireplace | |||
| Separate Dining Area | |||
| Family Room | |||
| Carpeting - No. of Rooms | |||
| Eat-In Kitchen | |||
| Refrigerator | |||
| Stove / Oven (Gas / Electric) | |||
| Garbage Disposal | |||
| Dishwasher | |||
| Broken / Drafty Windows | |||
| Storm Windows / Screens | |||
| Washer / Dryer Outlets | |||
| Laundry Area | |||
| Renovated Basement | |||
| Attic | |||
| Sump Pump / Drainage | |||
| Connected to Sewer System | |||
| Patio / Deck | |||
| Backyard Fence | |||
| Curb Appeal | |||
| Property Boundaries | |||
| Security (dead bolts, detectors) | |||
| Building Code | |||
| Compliance | |||
| Ability to Renovate / Expand Home | |||