Checklist

Checklist - Do Your Buying Homework! Neighborhood
Consider each of the following to determine whether the location of the property will satisfy your personal needs and preferences:		*Remarks*
Convenience of public transportation	___	___________________________
Stores conveniently located	___	___________________________
Schools conveniently located	___	___________________________
Absence of excessive traffic noise	___	___________________________
Absence of smoke and unpleasant odors	___	___________________________
Play area available for children	___	___________________________
Fire and police protection provided	___	___________________________
Residential usage safeguarded by adequate zoning	___	___________________________

Lot
Consider each of the following to determine whether the lot is sufficiently large and properly improved:		*Remarks*
Size of front yard satisfactory	___	___________________________
Size of rear and side yards satisfactory	___	___________________________
Walks provide access to front and service entrances	___	___________________________
Drive provides easy access to garage	___	___________________________
Lot appears to drain satisfactorily	___	___________________________
Lawn and planting satisfactory	___	___________________________
Septic tank (if any) in good operating condition	___	___________________________
Well (if any) affording an adequate supply of safe drinking water	___	___________________________

Exterior Detail
Observe the exterior detail of neighboring houses and determine whether the house being considered is as good or better in respect to each of the following features:		*Remarks*
Porches	___	___________________________
Terraces	___	___________________________
Garages	___	___________________________
Gutters	___	___________________________
Storm sashes	___	___________________________
Weather stripping	___	___________________________
Screens	___	___________________________

Interior Detail
Consider each of the following to determine whether the house will afford living accommodations which are sufficient to the needs and comfort of your family:		*Remarks*
Rooms will accommodate desired furniture	___	___________________________
Dining space sufficiently large	___	___________________________
At least one closet in each bedroom	___	___________________________
At least one coat closet and one linen closet	___	___________________________
Convenient access to bathroom	___	___________________________
Sufficient and convenient storage space (screens, trunks, boxes, off season clothes, luggage, baby carriage, bicycle, wheel toys, etc.)	___	___________________________
Kitchen well arranged and equipped	___	___________________________
Laundry space ample and well located	___	___________________________
Windows provide sufficient light and air	___	___________________________
Sufficient number of electrical outlets	___	___________________________

Exterior Construction
The following appear to be in acceptable condition:		*Remarks*
Wood porch and steps	___	___________________________
Windows, doors, and screens	___	___________________________
Gutters and wood cornice	___	___________________________
Wood siding	___	___________________________
Mortar joints	___	___________________________
Roofing	___	___________________________
Chimneys	___	___________________________
Paint on exterior woodwork	___	___________________________
CAUTION: Cracking, peeling, scaling and loose paint on stairs, decks, porches, railings, windows and doors may contain amounts of lead, which are harmful if eaten by children. Examine these areas carefully

Interior Construction
		*Remarks*
Plaster is free of excessive cracks	___	___________________________
Plaster is free of stains caused by leaking roof or sidewalls	___	___________________________
Door locks in operating condition	___	___________________________
Windows move freely	___	___________________________
Fireplace works properly	___	___________________________
Basement is dry and will resist moisture penetration	___	___________________________
Mechanical equipment and electrical wiring and switches adequate and in operating condition	___	___________________________
Type of heating equipment suitable	___	___________________________
Adequate insulation in walls, floors, ceilings and roofs	___	___________________________

Miscellaneous
The following appear to be in acceptable condition:		*Remarks*
Wood floor finish	___	___________________________
Linoleum floors	___	___________________________
Tile floors-vinyl, asphalt	___	___________________________
Sink top	___	___________________________
Kitchen range	___	___________________________
Bathroom fixtures	___	___________________________
Painting and papering	___	___________________________
Exposed joists and beams	___	___________________________

The preceding checklist is offered to aid you in selecting your home, and to remind you of the principal items that generally should be considered in buying a home. It does not eliminate the need for reliable, sound advice, nor does it provide for special considerations arising from cost, climate, or personal desires and preferences such as style or architecture or inclusion of fireplace, recreation room, etc. The list does not cover everything but does include the principal items, which you should consider.

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Are You Sure ...

That the basement will stay dry after heavy rains?
That proper drainage of the lot is assured by necessary drainage swales and proper outfall?
That the sewage disposal system is adequate and in good operating condition?
That the water supply system, if other than public service, affords an adequate supply of safe drinking water?
That the foundations are sound?
That there has been no termite or other insect damage?

You'd better get EXPERT ADVICE on the condition of existing construction, if you want to be sure the house is a good buy. An inspection by a reputable inspection firm may help minimize any problems.