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Smart Buyer Checklist

After you've looked at a few homes, it will be easy to confuse yourself with what each home had to offer.  Print this page out and use it every time you go see a home. Not only will it help you get organized, but it will help you determine your needs.

Home Address    _________________________________________________

Asking Price   _________________________________

Original Asking Price   __________

How Long On Market ______________ When available __________________

Broker's Name ____________________ Phone ________________________

Street

Attractiveness (clean, well-maintained lawns, buried utilities, etc.)
      [ ] Excellent [ ] Good [ ] Fair [ ] Poor

Convenience (to major streets, stores, schools, etc.)
      [ ] Excellent [ ] Good [ ] Fair [ ] Poor

Safety (little traffic, nearby hydrant, fire alarm)
      [ ] Excellent [ ] Good [ ] Fair [ ] Poor

Driveway (condition, negotiability, etc.)
      [ ] Excellent [ ] Good [ ] Fair [ ] Poor

Site

Lot size: _____________' frontage x _____________' depth _______________
Acre(s) _______________ Zoned _________________

Landscaping
Amount
      [ ] excessive [ ] ample [ ] some [ ] none

Quality
      [ ] excellent [ ] good [ ] fair [ ] poor

Required maintenance
      [ ] professional [ ] much [ ] some [ ] little

Drainage
      [ ] excellent [ ] good [ ] fair [ ] poor

Parking (number of spaces available):
On-street ______ Off-street ______ Carport ______ Free-standing garage

              ______ Attached garage ______ Seasonal issues ______

Orientation/Privacy

House presents an attractive appearance to the street/main approach

    [ ] yes   [ ] no

Far enough back/sufficiently landscaped to assure privacy, insulation from street noise

    [ ] yes   [ ] no

Sufficiently separated from neighbors by space, plantings, terrain, etc.

    [ ] yes   [ ] no

Outdoor recreation/entertainment areas

    [ ] yes   [ ] no

Energy Check

Southern exposure [ ] yes   [ ] no
Shielded from winds [ ] yes   [ ] no
Shape of house [ ] square (easiest to heat)   [ ] L-shaped/other

House Exterior

Overall appeal in relation to neighboring houses
      [ ] superior   [ ] equal   [ ] inferior

Architectural style _________________________________________
Age ____________ No. of floors ____________________
Structural condition  [ ] excellent   [ ] good   [ ] fair   [ ] poor

Problems __________________________________________________________
Major building materials___________________________________________

General condition (first impression)
      [ ] Excellent [ ] Good [ ] Fair [ ] Poor

Adequacy and condition of gutters and downspouts
      [ ] Excellent [ ] Good [ ] Fair [ ] Poor

Condition of windows, doors, outer sills, jambs and caulked joints
      [ ] Excellent [ ] Good [ ] Fair [ ] Poor

Storms and screens
      [ ] Excellent [ ] Good [ ] Fair [ ] Poor

Additional structures (e.g., tool shed)
      [ ] Excellent [ ] Good [ ] Fair [ ] Poor

Layout
Total no. of sq. ft. ___________________ Total no. of rooms ____________,

            including __________ bedrooms and __________ baths

Floor plan: (Rate as to whether rooms are of adequate size; living areas logically and coherently arranged; stairs and halls, conveniently placed)
      [ ] Excellent [ ] Good [ ] Fair [ ] Poor

Are the larger window areas and major living spaces arranged for maximum views, privacy, desired sun orientation?
      [ ] yes   [ ] no

Storage

Closets (number and size) ________________________________________

Additional storage:
  [ ] attic  [ ] basement  [ ] garage  [ ] shed  [ ] utility room

Conditions

Rate the interior, as a whole, against your taste and requirements:

General style
      [ ] Acceptable  [ ] Conditional  [ ] Unacceptable

General condition
      [ ] Acceptable  [ ] Conditional  [ ] Unacceptable

Main entrance
      [ ] Acceptable  [ ] Conditional  [ ] Unacceptable

Foyer/entrance hall
      [ ] Acceptable  [ ] Conditional  [ ] Unacceptable

Living room
      [ ] Acceptable  [ ] Conditional  [ ] Unacceptable

Dining room
      [ ] Acceptable  [ ] Conditional  [ ] Unacceptable

Family/recreation room
      [ ] Acceptable  [ ] Conditional  [ ] Unacceptable

Laundry
      [ ] Acceptable  [ ] Conditional  [ ] Unacceptable

Kitchen
      [ ] Acceptable  [ ] Conditional  [ ] Unacceptable

Master bedroom
      [ ] Acceptable  [ ] Conditional  [ ] Unacceptable

Bedrooms
      [ ] Acceptable  [ ] Conditional  [ ] Unacceptable

Bathrooms
      [ ] Acceptable  [ ] Conditional  [ ] Unacceptable

Halls/stairs
      [ ] Acceptable  [ ] Conditional  [ ] Unacceptable

Basement
      [ ] Acceptable  [ ] Conditional  [ ] Unacceptable

Attic
      [ ] Acceptable  [ ] Conditional  [ ] Unacceptable

Garage
      [ ] Acceptable  [ ] Conditional  [ ] Unacceptable

Wall space
      [ ] Acceptable  [ ] Conditional  [ ] Unacceptable

Carpeting
      [ ] Acceptable  [ ] Conditional  [ ] Unacceptable

Floors
      [ ] Acceptable  [ ] Conditional  [ ] Unacceptable

Color scheme
      [ ] Acceptable  [ ] Conditional  [ ] Unacceptable

Natural lighting
      [ ] Acceptable  [ ] Conditional  [ ] Unacceptable

Construction Inside

Materials
      [ ] Excellent [ ] Good [ ] Fair [ ] Poor

Condition
      [ ] Excellent [ ] Good [ ] Fair [ ] Poor

Workmanship
      [ ] Excellent [ ] Good [ ] Fair [ ] Poor

Insulation
      [ ] Excellent [ ] Good [ ] Fair [ ] Poor

Construction Outside

Materials
      [ ] Excellent [ ] Good [ ] Fair [ ] Poor

Condition
      [ ] Excellent [ ] Good [ ] Fair [ ] Poor

Workmanship
      [ ] Excellent [ ] Good [ ] Fair [ ] Poor

Energy Check

Windows and panes: ____________ triple-glazed ____________ screens
__________insulated shades/shutters __________ storm windows

Utilities

Plumbing

Drains [ ] free-running
      [ ] Excellent [ ] Good [ ] Fair [ ] Poor

Water Supply [ ] private well [ ] city system
      [ ] Excellent [ ] Good [ ] Fair [ ] Poor

Pipe [ ] cast iron [ ] steel/brass [ ] copper [ ] plastic
      [ ] Excellent [ ] Good [ ] Fair [ ] Poor

Faucets [ ] good pressure [ ] low noise [ ] quick-drawing [ ] single-handle
      [ ] Excellent [ ] Good [ ] Fair [ ] Poor

Water softener [ ] owned [ ] rented
      [ ] Excellent [ ] Good [ ] Fair [ ] Poor

Water heater [ ] type [ ] age [ ] under warranty
      [ ] Excellent [ ] Good [ ] Fair [ ] Poor

Sewage disposal [ ] septic tank [ ] city system
      [ ] Excellent [ ] Good [ ] Fair [ ] Poor

Bathroom fixtures [ ] pressed steel [ ] fiberglass [ ] iron/porcelain
      [ ] Excellent [ ] Good [ ] Fair [ ] Poor

Toilets [ ] old style [ ] contemporary [ ] water-saving
      [ ] Excellent [ ] Good [ ] Fair [ ] Poor

Electrical

Wiring [ ] knob & tube [ ] romex [ ] flex [ ] rigid conduit [ ] circuit breakers
      [ ] Excellent [ ] Good [ ] Fair [ ] Poor

Total amperage [ ] 100 [ ] 125 [ ] 150 [ ] other ______________________
      [ ] Excellent [ ] Good [ ] Fair [ ] Poor

220-volt wiring to
      [ ] kitchen [ ] laundry [ ] workroom [ ] other ______________________
      [ ] Excellent [ ] Good [ ] Fair [ ] Poor

Adequate lighting [ ] work areas [ ] baths [ ] kitchen [ ] halls, closets
      [ ] Excellent [ ] Good [ ] Fair [ ] Poor

Sufficient outlets [ ] counter-height, baths & work areas [ ] some switched plugs
      [ ] Excellent [ ] Good [ ] Fair [ ] Poor

Heating/Cooling

Fuel supply [ ] oil [ ] electric [ ] gas [ ] coal

Heating method [ ] hot-water [ ] forced hot air [ ] baseboard

Age of system __________________________ [ ] under warranty   [ ] recently serviced

Air conditioning
  [ ]window units (number ___________________) [ ] central [ ] gas [ ] electric

Average cost: Winter __________________________
Summer ________________________

Repairs/Inspections

Areas/items that need immediate attention _______________________________________________________________

Special Features/Extras

Outdoor Amenities

Indoor Amenities

Built-in-furniture: ___________________________________________

Is special financing available? [ ] yes [ ] no
If yes, what type? ________________________________________________

Marketability

Summary

Exterior

Street
      [ ] Excellent [ ] Good [ ] Fair [ ] Poor

Site
      [ ] Excellent [ ] Good [ ] Fair [ ] Poor

House
      [ ] Excellent [ ] Good [ ] Fair [ ] Poor

Interior

Layout
      [ ] Excellent [ ] Good [ ] Fair [ ] Poor

Storage
      [ ] Excellent [ ] Good [ ] Fair [ ] Poor

Condition
      [ ] Excellent [ ] Good [ ] Fair [ ] Poor

Construction

Inside
      [ ] Excellent [ ] Good [ ] Fair [ ] Poor

Outside
      [ ] Excellent [ ] Good [ ] Fair [ ] Poor

Utilities

Plumbing
      [ ] Excellent [ ] Good [ ] Fair [ ] Poor

Electrical
      [ ] Excellent [ ] Good [ ] Fair [ ] Poor

Heating/cooling
      [ ] Excellent [ ] Good [ ] Fair [ ] Poor

Overall energy efficiency
      [ ] Excellent [ ] Good [ ] Fair [ ] Poor

Special Features/Extras

Outdoor amenities
      [ ] Excellent [ ] Good [ ] Fair [ ] Poor

Indoor amenities
      [ ] Excellent [ ] Good [ ] Fair [ ] Poor