House Hunting: A Home Buyer's Checklist

So, you’ve decided you’re ready to buy a home. Buying a house is a big life step, and house hunting can be exciting, especially when you finally find the perfect house. However, other than making sure you’re financially ready to buy a home, there are some other important things to consider before you sign the dotted line.

Consider the location and neighborhood

Parts of the home you don’t like can often be changed, like getting a new kitchen floor or adding a back deck. But there are things that can’t be changed, like the home’s location. When you’re house hunting, it’s important to consider the location, neighborhood, and nearby features to the property.

Is the home in a good school district? Are your favorite grocery and convenience stores close by? How important is it to you to be close to parks and recreational facilities? If you have small children, consider how much traffic the home’s street has. Also consider public transportation and proximity to the interstate, both for convenience and for the noise they make.

Not only are these important things to consider for yourself and the home, but they’ll also come into play when you want to sell your house in the future — they can affect your home’s market value.

Evaluate features of the home

What are your home must-have features and what are you willing to compromise on? Maybe you must have at least three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and hardwood floors, but could compromise on whether the kitchen has granite countertops, or if the house has a screened in porch. Also consider the layout of the home — is it an open floor plan? Do you want a ranch style home or multiple floors? These are all important when you’re looking for a home.

Tip: Don’t focus too much on small details in the home like paint colors or wallpaper. Cosmetic things can be changed fairly easily without breaking your budget.

Download our Home Wishlist and fill it out for yourself. Make a list of what you want in your home. Make sure you separate your must-haves from things you would be willing to compromise on.

Get the home inspected

Once you find the house you want, it’s important to get the home inspected. A home is a huge investment, and you can’t just return it after you buy it if you find that something is wrong. A home inspection should be performed by a qualified inspector who will check the condition of the home. The inspector looks at everything from the electrical, heating, air conditioning, and plumbing systems, to the vents, foundation of the house, and the roof. Your home inspector also checks for any leaks around appliances, windows, and doors.

You should also order a pest inspection. A certified pest inspector will look for damage to the house caused by insects. A moisture inspection is usually done at the same time, by the same inspector. The inspector will be able to detect mold, mildew, and other non-insect related damage to the wood under and around your home.

You and your real estate agent should review home inspection and pest inspection reports and negotiate any repairs or preventative work that may be required with the seller. These items could include things like broken plumbing, a faulty HVAC system, or a bug problem.

The home inspections usually happen before closing. Your real estate agent should request the inspection in enough time to address any concerns or issues that are uncovered before the closing date. Due dates, timeframes, and who is responsible for inspection costs should all be laid out in your contract, which both the buyer and seller should read and understand before anyone signs.

Buying a home is a big decision, with a lot of steps to complete during the process. Make sure you know what to look out for when you’re searching for the perfect home, and happy house hunting!