Home Buyer’s Checklist

This checklist identifies the important factors you should consider when selecting a home.

In addition to your house being affordable, you will also want to be sure that it and the neighborhood it is located in meet the needs of your family.

For instance, if you have children, you may want to know if there is a quality school nearby or if there are other children in the neighborhood. Or if you work, the distance and travel time to and from your place of employment or the availability of public transportation may be of concern to you.

You may already know the type and size of home that you would like to purchase, but there are many other features that you will want to consider before deciding to buy a particular house. Take this checklist along when you go shopping for your house. It will help you evaluate the neighborhoods and the availability and condition of various features of up to three homes in a side-by-side comparison.

Download checklist in PDF format »

Checklist Comparison

Home Buyer’s Checklist
Home #1 Home #2 Home #3 Area
Asking price: Asking price: Asking price:  
Real estate taxes: Real estate taxes: Real estate taxes:  
The Neighborhood
box box box Near school
box box box Near work
box box box Near churches
box box box Near shopping
box box box Near expressways
box box box Near public transportation
box box box Near doctors/dentists
box box box Garbage collection
box box box Traffic volume
box box box Street lights
box box box Sidewalks
box box box Streets well maintained
box box box Parks
box box box Neighbors’ yards maintained
box box box All utilities installed
box box box Neighborhood covenants or restrictions
box box box Near train tracks/airport
box box box Area zoned residential
box box box Near industry
box box box Flooding danger
box box box Proposed special assessments
box box box Restrictive easements
The Home
box box box Age of the house
box box box Number of stories
box box box Wood frame
box box box Brick frame
box box box Wood and brick frame
box box box Aluminum siding
box box box Roof condition
box box box Foundation condition
box box box Overall exterior condition
box box box Garage size
box box box Number of bathrooms
box box box Number of closets
box box box Number of bedrooms
box box box Oil heat
box box box Gas heat
box box box Electric heat
box box box Hot water heat
box box box Insulation
box box box Central air conditioning
box box box Energy conservation features
box box box Age of heating system
box box box Age of hot water heater
box box box Capacity of hot water heater
box box box Plumbing condition
box box box Estimated water bill
box box box Estimated heating bill
box box box Living room
box box box Fireplace
box box box Separate dining room
box box box Family room
box box box Window coverings — # of rooms
box box box Carpeting — # of rooms
box box box Kitchen eating area
box box box Refrigerator
box box box Stove/oven (gas/electric)
box box box Garbage disposal
box box box Dishwasher
box box box Broken windows
box box box Storm windows/screens
box box box Laundry space
box box box Finished basement
box box box Attic
box box box Sump Pump/drainage
box box box Connected to sewer system
box box box Patio
box box box Backyard fence
box box box Landscaping
box box box Property boundaries
box box box Security (dead bolt locks, smoke detectors)
box box box Building code compliance (remodels & additions)
box box box Ability to expand or enlarge house
____________ ____________ ____________ OTHER

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