BUYING HOME CHECKLIST



If you are buying a home, then, before you decide on whether this home is your dream home, the following checklist will help you look at prospective homes with a critical eye. We suggest printing this page and putting it on a clipboard. When you find a home that really interests you, mark the features you see and note their general condition on this list. Where we've provided choices, fill out in the space and check the box of the one that best describes each home. If you do not know the answers to any question, then make sure to ask your Real Estate Sales Representative. Some technical issues should be established by a home inspector.

Home Location
Address ________________________________________________________
Asking price ____________________________________________________
Annual property tax _____________________________________________
Zoning restrictions _______________________________________________

Exterior of the Home
-   Lot size - shape ______________________________________________
-   Position of home on lot ________________________________________
-   Private or shared drive - condition _______________________________
-   Front yard-rear yard __________________________________________
-   Landscaping - condition ________________________________________
-   Mature trees ________________________________________________
-   Home appearance from street __________________________________
-   Type of home (two storey, detached, attached) ____________________
-   Siding (brick, brick veneer, aluminium, wood) ______________________
-   Condition of siding and paint ___________________________________
-   Attached or detached garage __________________________________
-   One, two, three car garage ____________________________________
-   Condition of walkways _________________________________________
-   Covered front porch __________________________________________
-   Enclosed front porch __________________________________________
-   Fenced backyard _____________________________________________
-   Privacy _____________________________________________________
-   Patio-decking ________________________________________________
-   Swimming pool-above ground pool ______________________________
-   Storage shed ________________________________________________
-   Type of roof - general condition _________________________________
-   Type of roof repairs __________________________________________
-   What was done to roof ________________________________________
-   Do they have receipts ________________________________________
-   Eaves trough _______________________________________________
-   Type of foundation ___________________________________________
-   Structural appearance ________________________________________
-   Possible problems? ___________________________________________

Interior of the Home (room sizes can be taken from MLS Listing)
-   Separate front hallway ________________________________________
-   Guest closet ________________________________________________
-   Soundproofing between walls of duplex __________________________

Doors and Windows
-   Types of windows (single pane; thermopane) _____________________
-   Open and close window without sticking __________________________
-   General condition ____________________________________________
-   Locks and latches work? ______________________________________

Kitchen
-   General size and colours ______________________________________
-   Eat-in area _________________________________________________
-   Cooking food preparation island ________________________________
-   Sufficient cupboard space _____________________________________
-   Pantry _____________________________________________________
-   Single or double sink-condition _________________________________
-   Sufficient counter top area ____________________________________
-   Floor type-condition __________________________________________

Basement
-   Adequate headroom _________________________________________
-   Drained or sump pump _______________________________________

Other Rooms - Features
-   Number of bedrooms ________________________________________
-   Number of bathrooms _______________________________________
-   Fireplace type ______________________________________________
-   Signs of moisture ___________________________________________
-   Cracks in walls and floors _____________________________________

Recent Renovations
-   Done by seller or professional renovator? ________________________


Systems
-   Electrical: amperage; fuses or circuit breakers; adequate outlets; general condition; aluminium or copper wiring; meet current codes?
______________________________________________________________

-   Plumbing: copper pipes or other material; signs of leaks; recent repairs; age; meet current codes?
______________________________________________________________

-   Water service: city supplied or well; if well, drilled or dug? Ever run dry? Water quality recently tested for potability? Capacity; age of pump; size of feeder line from well to house; water agreement?
______________________________________________________________

-   Sewer or septic system: if septic, where is septic field? Holding tank and system recently checked?
______________________________________________________________

-   Heating type: oil; gas; electric; hot water; baseboard; combination; heat pump; age; recent repairs
______________________________________________________________

-   Air conditioning: type (window, central) age; size; recent repairs
______________________________________________________________

-   Hot water heater: leased or owned; gas or electrical number of gallons; efficiency; age
______________________________________________________________

-   Insulation type: ______________________________________________

-   Ask to see copies of recent utility bills: ___________________________

-   Cable or aerial TV service: adequate room outlets __________________

-   Internet access: High Speed; Dial Up ____________________________

-   Other notable features and comments: ___________________________

Community - Close to:
-   Schools
-   City services
-   Medical facilities (doctors, hospitals, dentists)
-   Shopping
-   Parks
-   Playgrounds
-   Daycare
-   Recreation centre
-   Public swimming pools
-   Public tennis courts
-   Golf course
-   Skating rinks
-   Hockey arena
-   Restaurants
-   Theatres
-   Public library
-   Major roads and highways
-   Public transportation
-   Possible problems (traffic commuting)

Local Neighbourhood
-   Urban, suburban, rural ________________________________________
-   Older or newer; estimated age _________________________________
-   Types of homes in area (detached, links, townhomes or apartments?
______________________________________________________________
-   Age group of area homeowners ________________________________
-   Quiet streets ________________________________________________
-   Adequate streetlights _________________________________________
-   Visible power lines and telephone poles __________________________
-   Well maintained homes _______________________________________
-   Sidewalks __________________________________________________
-   Space between homes ________________________________________
-   Adequate street parking _______________________________________