Here’s a little-known fact about me: I am obsessed with checklists. I don’t know if that’s because I’m afraid I’d forget everything if I didn’t write it down or because I’m hooked on the thrill of checking items off. Either way, lists are my security blanket.
When my husband, George, and I were searching for our first home, I was practically drowning in to-do lists. First, we got preapproved for a mortgage and found a great real estate agent. But once we started looking at houses, it became clear that there were a lot of factors to consider.
While George felt totally comfortable walking into a newly listed house, taking a quick glance around, and giving a definitive “I love it” or “I hate it,” I was more like an MRI machine, scanning every last corner of the house. I realized pretty quickly that I needed a house hunting checklist to help me remember everything I wanted to evaluate.
The way I looked at it, our future home wouldn’t just be our home. It was also a product that we might sell to someone else one day. When I put my list together, I tried to include items that weren’t just crucial for my own comfort, but also for the resale value of our home.
Some of the things on my house hunting checklist would typically be covered by a home inspection, but I knew that looking at the details early on would make me feel more comfortable and could save time, money and stress in the long run. I preferred to be a little obsessive in the moment rather than get hit with any major surprises after we signed a hefty contract.
To help make your home search easier—and to save you the time of drafting up your own house hunting checklist—I’m sharing my list with you. Happy house hunting!
Location
Is the house located on a busy street or close to a highway?
Can you hear traffic noise from inside the house or in the yard? (You might not mind the noise, but it could be more difficult to sell the place when you’re ready to move on.)
Are the other houses in the neighborhood in good shape?
Are other homes in the neighborhood selling close to, or above, the asking price?
Is there enough street parking for you, your family and guests?
Are there shops, restaurants, parks and other amenities nearby?
How are the local schools rated? Are they close by?
How close is the nearest neighbor? Is there enough privacy in and around the house?
Do you get good cell phone reception in the neighborhood?
Is the neighborhood quiet or lively?
Does the neighborhood feel safe to you? How do the neighborhood crime reports look?
Plumbing and Electric
Do all of the faucets and showers work properly?
Are there any leaks?
Are there any signs of past leaks or water damage left on the walls, ceilings or the inside of bathroom or kitchen cabinets?
Is the water pressure strong enough?
How long does it take for the water to heat up when running the faucet or shower?
Do all of the toilets flush?
Are the visible pipes in good condition?
Are there cracks in any of the sinks, toilets or bathtubs?
Are the water heater and stove gas or electric?
Does the house have gutters or an irrigation system? Do they work properly?
Where is the electrical panel located? When you open it, is everything neatly labeled, or is the wiring in disarray?
Do all of the light switches work?
Do all of the electrical outlets work? (You can test this with a cell phone charger.)
Does the thermostat work when you change the temperature setting?
Does the house have the heating and cooling systems you need for the local climate? (For example, if you’re looking at a two-floor home in Florida, you may want a separate central air conditioning unit for each floor.)
Layout
Does the kitchen have enough cabinet space for your things and enough counter space for food prep?
Are the bedrooms located in a quiet, private area of the house?
Is the laundry room conveniently located, or will you have to lug your laundry to a hard-to-reach spot?
Are all the rooms in the house big enough to fit your furniture and personal items?
Are they the size you need in order to live comfortably?
Are there enough bedrooms and bathrooms for your family?
Is it easy to navigate from one room to another and from the inside of the home to the outside?
Appearance and Functionality (H2)
Are there enough windows and natural light?
Does the house have crown molding or other architectural details that add character and value?
Is the flooring in good shape, or do you see chips in tiles or tears and stains in the carpeting?
What kind of material sits underneath the carpeting?
Do you see any scratches, chips or other damage to cabinets, countertops and other fixtures in the house?
Do all windows and doors work properly? Are any of them cracked or broken?
Are there cracks in any of the walls or ceilings or on the exterior of the home?
Are all of the roof shingles intact?
Do all of the kitchen and laundry appliances work?
Is the backyard or surrounding the lot too steep
Are the driveway and garage large enough to fit your vehicles?
Are the steps on the staircase wide enough to climb comfortably and safely? Or is the staircase too long, steep and narrow?
Is the ceiling a comfortable height for you?