House Hunting Checklist

• The Home’s Exterior
• The Home’s Interior
• Community
• Local Neighbourhood

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 Neighbourhood

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