BUYERS: House Hunting Checklist
Home Location: _____________________________________________________
Address: ____________________________________________________________
Asking Price: ________________________________________________________
Annual Property Taxes: ______________________________________________
Mortgage Terms: ____________________________________________________
Zoning Restrictions (ask the REALTOR®): _______________________________
The Home’s Exterior
Lot Details
- Lot size/shape: __________________
- Landscaping condition: good/moderate/poor
- Position of home on lot (compass directions):______________
- Driveway: private/shared
- General lot condition: good/moderate/poor
- Front yard: sm/med/lg
- Side yard: sm/med/lg
- Rear yard: sm/med/lg
- Mature trees, shrubs, etc: yes/no
- Curb appeal: good/moderate/poor
- Condition of walkways: good/moderate/poor
Structure Details
- Number of stories: 1/2/3/4
- Type of home: _________________
- Siding: brick/brick veneer/wood/aluminum/combination
- Condition of siding & paint: good/moderate/poor
- Garage: attached/detached/one-car/two-car
- Parking: uncovered/one paid space/ two paid spaces
- Front porch: covered/enclosed
- Fenced front yard: yes/no
- Fenced backyard: yes/no
- Eaves troughs and downspouts: good/moderate/poor
- Patio/deck: good/moderate/poor
- Swimming pool: above/below/indoor/outdoor/none
- General pool condition: good/moderate/poor
- Storage shed: yes/no
- Type of roof: _________________
- General roof condition: good/moderate/poor
- Recent roof repairs: yes/no
- Repair Receipts: yes/no
- Roof Age: ____________
- Type of foundation: raised well above ground/visible cracks
The Home’s Interior
Doors & Windows
- Windows: single pane/thermopane
- General window condition: good/moderate/poor
- Door locks/latches work: yes/no
Kitchen
- General size/colours: __________________
- Eat-in area: yes/no
- Cooking food/prep island: yes/no
- Sufficient cupboard space: yes/no
- Sufficient counter space: yes/no
- Countertop type/condition: __________________
- Floor type/condition: _____________________
- Pantry: yes/no
- Sink: single/double
- Appliances included: yes/no
- General appliance condition: good/moderate/poor
Family/Living Room
- Fireplace: yes/no
- Living room floor type/condition: __________________
- Separate dining room: yes/no
- Dining room floor type/condition: ___________________
Other Home Details
- Square footage: ____________
- Foyer closet: yes/no
- Soundproof & fireproof shared walls: yes/no
Bathrooms
- No. of Bathrooms: _______
- Ensuite bathroom: yes/no
- Floor type/condition: ___________
Bedrooms
- No. of Bedrooms: _______
- Floor type/condition: _____________
- Closets: yes/no
Basement
- Adequate headroom: yes/no
- Finished: yes/no
- Door to outside: yes/no
- Utility area (laundry): yes/no
- Storage areas: yes/no
- Cracks in walls/floor: yes/no
- Drained or sump pump: ____________
- Evidence of flood/moisture: yes/no
- Recent renovations: yes/no
- General condition: ____________
Electrical System
- General condition: __________
- Sufficient outlets: yes/no
- Amperage: __________
- Switches: fuses/circuit breakers
- Wiring: aluminum/copper wiring
- Meets current codes: yes/no
Plumbing
- Copper pipes: yes/no
- Signs of leaks: yes/no
- Recent repairs: yes/no
- Age: ________
- Meets current codes: yes/no
Water Service
- Source: city/well
- Well: dug/drilled
- Does well ever run dry: yes/no
- Capacity: ______
- Age of pump: _____
- Size of feeder line from well to house: ________
- Water agreement: yes/no
- Water quality tested for potability: yes/no
Sewage/Septic System
- Type: sewage/septic
- Where’s septic field: _______
- Holding tank & system recently checked: yes/no
Heating
- Type: oil/gas/electric/steam/baseboard/heat pump/combination
- Age: _____
- Output: _____
- Recent repairs: ______
Air Conditioning
- Type: window/central
- Age: _____
- Size: ______
- Recent repairs: _______
Hot Water Heater
- Contract: leased/owned
- Type: gas/electric
- No. of gallons: _______
- Efficiency: ________
- Age: ________
Insulation:
- Type: ______
- Rating: _______
- Asbestos or UFFI: yes/no
Community
Check all that apply. Close to:
- Schools
- City services (fire/police/hospital)
- Medical (doctor, dentist)
- Shopping (grocery, pharmacy)
- Parks
- Playgrounds
- Day care
- Recreation/community centre
- Public swimming pool
- Public tennis courts
- Golf course
- Skating arena
- Hockey arena
- Restaurants
- Gas station
- Theatres
- Public library
- Major roads/highways
- Places of worship
- Possible problems: train tracks/congestion/on busy or noisy main road
Local Neighborhood
Check all that apply:
- Urban/suburban/rural
- Older/newer
- Type of homes: ________
- Age group of homeowners: __________
- Quiet streets
- Adequate street lights
- Visible power/telephone lines
- Well-cared for homes/yards
- Sidewalks
- General condition:
- Space between homes
- Adequate street parking/overnight parking restrictions
- Possible problems: poorly maintained roads