First Time Homebuyer, Checklists, Finding a Home
Beginner’s Checklist for Housing Needs
What You'll Learn: A Checklist of Things to Consider When Buying a Home
EXPECTED READ TIME: 5 MINUTES
September 21, 2020
What are the things to keep in mind when determining home needs?
As you begin to think about buying a home, there can be so much to think about it can be overwhelming. If it's your first home, there are likely a lot of things to consider that you've never even thought of. We've compiled this checklist of items to kickstart your thinking. Feel free to print this out, check off things you've mentally planned for, or cross off items you don't care about or may not be applicable. We've left some write-in spaces to add your own thoughts and needs.
This list is by no means complete, and is meant as a starting point to help assist in determining what you're looking for and what's important for your needs. Consider ranking each of these items in order of importance to you, while limiting what is extremely important to a number around five. This will allow you, and perhaps your real estate agent, to best understand what’s most important to you.
Location, Location, Location
It may sound cliché, but even clichés are there for a reason. The location of your home is critically important.
Overall location of home — city and state
Neighborhood type
Gated community
Location compared to your employment
Do you need mass transit?
Traffic patterns and time to work
Near good schools
Near shopping
Grocery stores
Clothing
Malls
Near family and friends
Amenities nearby
Pool
Gym
Stadiums or arenas for sporting events
Trails
Access to mountains, beaches, or parks
Other
Safety
Safety of neighborhood
Street lights
Gated community
Sidewalks
Review a crime database of the area
Review sex offenders in the area
Neighborhood watch or patrol
Natural disaster considerations
Flood zone
Earthquakes/tornados/hurricanes/fires
Exits in case of emergencies
Housing Needs to Consider:
Location of home on the lot, or within complex
Purchase price
Location of the house in relation to the sun — where is the sun in the morning and evening?
Parking
Drainage concerns
Steep driveway
Winter concerns for access to home in inclement weather
Garage needs
Storage
Work area
Size
Slope of property
Size of property
Pet needs
Type of pets allowed
Room to roam
Yard maintenance needs and costs
Age of home and potential repairs over the next seven years
Style of the home and around the neighborhood
Curb appeal
Overall floor plan — Is it open air? Do you need more rooms?
Number of bedrooms needed today and within 5-7 years
Number of bathrooms needed today and within 5-7 years
Location of bedrooms — do you need a master on the first floor?
Location of bathrooms and access
Do you need extra rooms like playrooms, exercise, or other?
Storage needs, or access to storage
Number of closets
Fireplace
Outdoor living areas
Deck
Patio
Sun coverage
Location of the sun compared to outside areas
Pool
Outdoor kitchen
Garden
View
Is a dining room necessary?
Bathrooms
How many?
Do you need full baths, half baths?
Shower versus tub
Ingress to the home — Are the steps up or down? Is there an elevator?
Size of home in square footage
Cost to heat and cool
HOA and costs
Home warranties covering major items like appliances and HVAC
HVAC system and age
Overall lighting
Natural lighting
Condition of the windows
Finishing touches like molding, trim, or stairs
Plumbing fixtures and condition
Flow of the home
Entertaining needs
Attic space
Basement
Crawl space
Special needs for wheelchair or access
Slab concrete
Ceiling height
Number of floors
Ceiling fans
Access to laundry
Room sizes
Bedrooms
Kitchen
Living areas
Flooring options
Carpet
Tile
Wood
Condition of the flooring — does it need to be replaced?
How does your current furniture fit in this layout? Do you need more or new furniture?
Kitchen
Appliances and age
Style of appliances
Countertops
Layout or flow of kitchen
Eating areas
Cabinet space
Pantry
Location of sink by window
Gas or electric
Lighting
Soft close drawers and cabinets
Access to systems like plumbing, HVAC, electrical
Condition of house
Foundation
Roof
Siding
Windows
Gutters
Fences
Electrical systems
Additional structure like sheds
Trees and maintenance
Pests or insects in the area
Any noise issues with location — trains, flight paths, schools
Other Things to Consider
Condition of the overall neighborhood houses
Neighbors keeping up with their homes
Local economy strength
Is this your “forever home”?
Will this home last you 5-7 years?
Growing old in the home and special needs
Young children in the home and safety