Touring homes is exciting, exhausting and it can be confusing trying to remember which homes had which features. By the end of the day, you can’t remember if the house with the fabulous kitchen had three bedrooms or four, or any other pertinent details.
That’s why you need a Home Tour Checklist. The list we’ve provided below is a good starting point that you can use to create your own. It may be surprising to first time home buyers that there are so many considerations, but trust us, this is a simple and short list that covers the primary considerations, not all of them.
Remember, while you need to be aware of every detail in a home you are thinking of buying, you need to keep matters in perspective. While you’re looking at the features you want in a new home, be sure to step back and consider the bigger picture – the permanent attributes – of the house. There may be a many elements in a house that you consider issues, but don’t let a large number of small problems keep you from a house that would otherwise be a perfect fit. Remember, you can change superficial elements like wallpaper, paint color and window treatments, and make minor repairs – just make sure they fit into your overall home buying budget.
Take good notes – while viewing the home, not later – and you’ll be better able to make the right decisions as you move forward in the home-buying process. Keep blank copies of lists handy, don’t lose old ones, and be sure to share them with you Associate from The Local Realty.
The Home | |||
Square footage | ____Good | ____Average | ____Poor |
Number of bedrooms | ____Good | ____Average | ____Poor |
Number of baths | ____Good | ____Average | ____Poor |
Practicality of floor plan | ____Good | ____Average | ____Poor |
Condition of interior walls | ____Good | ____Average | ____Poor |
Closet/storage space | ____Good | ____Average | ____Poor |
Basement | ____Good | ____Average | ____Poor |
Fireplace | ____Good | ____Average | ____Poor |
Cable TV | ____Good | ____Average | ____Poor |
Basement: dampness/odors | ____Good | ____Average | ____Poor |
Exterior appearance/condition | ____Good | ____Average | ____Poor |
Lawn/yard space | ____Good | ____Average | ____Poor |
Fence | ____Good | ____Average | ____Poor |
Patio/deck | ____Good | ____Average | ____Poor |
Garage | ____Good | ____Average | ____Poor |
Energy efficiency | ____Good | ____Average | ____Poor |
Screens/storm windows | ____Good | ____Average | ____Poor |
Roof: age, condition | ____Good | ____Average | ____Poor |
Gutters/downspouts | ____Good | ____Average | ____Poor |
The Neighborhood | |||
Nearby homes/businesses | ____Good | ____Average | ____Poor |
Traffic | ____Good | ____Average | ____Poor |
Noise level | ____Good | ____Average | ____Poor |
Safety/security | ____Good | ____Average | ____Poor |
Age mix of inhabitants | ____Good | ____Average | ____Poor |
Number of children | ____Good | ____Average | ____Poor |
Pet restrictions | ____Good | ____Average | ____Poor |
Parking | ____Good | ____Average | ____Poor |
Zoning regulations | ____Good | ____Average | ____Poor |
Neighborhood restrictions/covenants | ____Good | ____Average | ____Poor |
Fire protection | ____Good | ____Average | ____Poor |
Police | ____Good | ____Average | ____Poor |
Snow removal | ____Good | ____Average | ____Poor |
Garbage service | ____Good | ____Average | ____Poor |
Schools | |||
Age/condition | ____Good | ____Average | ____Poor |
Reputation | ____Good | ____Average | ____Poor |
Quality of teachers | ____Good | ____Average | ____Poor |
Achievement test scores | ____Good | ____Average | ____Poor |
Play areas | ____Good | ____Average | ____Poor |
Curriculum | ____Good | ____Average | ____Poor |
Class size | ____Good | ____Average | ____Poor |
Busing distance | ____Good | ____Average | ____Poor |
Convenience to… | |||
Supermarket | ____Good | ____Average | ____Poor |
Schools | ____Good | ____Average | ____Poor |
Work | ____Good | ____Average | ____Poor |
Shopping | ____Good | ____Average | ____Poor |
Child care | ____Good | ____Average | ____Poor |
Hospitals | ____Good | ____Average | ____Poor |
Doctor/dentist | ____Good | ____Average | ____Poor |
Recreation/parks | ____Good | ____Average | ____Poor |
Church/synagogue | ____Good | ____Average | ____Poor |
Airport | ____Good | ____Average | ____Poor |
Highways | ____Good | ____Average | ____Poor |
Public Transportation | ____Good | ____Average | ____Poor |
Other important features: | |||
____________________ | ____Good | ____Average | ____Poor |
____________________ | ____Good | ____Average | ____Poor |
____________________ | ____Good | ____Average | ____Poor |
____________________ | ____Good | ____Average | ____Poor |
____________________ | ____Good | ____Average | ____Poor |
____________________ | ____Good | ____Average | ____Poor |
____________________ | ____Good | ____Average | ____Poor |