Buyer's Checklist
Contents: Interior Checklist Exterior Checklist Inspections
Once you decide that you have found a house that is a good potential for purchase, you should start looking into any possible problem areas. Your realtor can help you with this, but you might to start with your own checklist. The Interior and Exterior checklists provided are here are samples to help guide you on things to look for. You can print these out and take them with you as an aid in evaluating the house in question. However, you should add to these lists anything that may be of particular interest to you, i.e. if you are into audio/video, you might want to check if the house is pre-wired for cable/satellite TV connections. The last part of this list includes potential inspections that you may want to hire a professional to do. In most cases you, as the buyer, you will have to pay for any inspection so you may want to keep it at a minimum. Your realtor can help you with suggestions on what you might want to have done after your first detailed study of the house. Remember that the value of any inspection is the ability to get something repaired before you move in and to know the cost before you decide to purchase. For this reason, inspections can also be good negotiating tools.
Interior Checklist
Are there sufficient bathrooms for your needs? Is there sufficient closet and storage space? Check out the garage for space for both cars and storage. Are the room sizes sufficient for your furniture. For a house that you are interested in, you may want to make a quick layout of the rooms, with measurements, so that you can check out how your furniture will fit. Ask the seller for copies of electrical and/or gas bills. This is way to see what some of your monthly costs are going to be. You might also want to check on the property tax rate. Your realtor can help you with this. Are all doors and windows sealed and do they open and close easily? Are any glass panes loose or cracked? If the windows are of the sealed type, does any mositure appear indicating a broken seal? Is the painting satisfactory in all rooms, closets and stairways? Is the carpet tight and do the seams match? Are there any ridges or seam gaps in vinyl tile or flooring? Do the floors squeak? If wooden floors, are they properly finished? Do the major appliances operate properly? Are the appliance colors and features acceptable? Check all faucets and plumbing fixtures, including toilets and showers, to be sure they operate properly. Is the water pressure satisfactory? Are the shower heads high enough - important for a tall person! Turn on the heating, cooling and water heating units to be sure they operate properly. Check the fireplace draft and damper to see if they work. Has the fireplace been used? Check for nicks, scratches, cracks or bums on any surfaces, including cabinets and counter tops. Ring the doorbell and test the intercom, garage door opener, security system and other like items. Check for indications of dampness or leaks, when possible. Does the seller have pets such as cats or dogs? If so, you may want to check for carpet stains or odors in parts of the house that may be difficult to get rid of. If your family is non-smoking, check if the seller's smoke. Heavy smoking could leave odors that are not evident at first. Are there sufficient telephone and/or TV outlets in rooms? Does the house have signoffs from the local municipality, i.e. electrical, plumbing, etc.?
Exterior Checklist
Is the yard easy to maintain or will it require a lot of work or a gardening service? Does the ground around the foundation slope away from the house? Be sure that water does not pool in any area. To check, water suspect areas with a hose if possible. Are there signs of erosion? Large shrubbery should be placed at least 2 to 3 feet from the foundation. Basement window wells should be clean and graveled. Shingles should be flat and tight. Flashing should be securely in place. Gutters, down spouts and splash blocks should drain away from the house and be in good working condition. Windows and doors should be sealed and protected by weather stripping. Trim and filling should be tight, without cracks, and smoothly painted. Check if the house might be on a flood plain or has had past flooding damage. Check out the neighborhood. Especially for acreage property, check out any property restrictions such as drive or road right-of-way, water rights, etc.
Inspections
Wood Infestation Inspection:	Many lenders will require a certificate from a licensed inspection company that the property is clear of wood destroying insects. The buyer selects the company and pays for the inspection. The seller pays for treatment, if infested, and the cost of repairs if needed, are negotiated. Some sellers may have a contract with a extermination company such as Terminex. These type of contracts call for a monthly spray and inspection by the company. If this is being done, it may be acceptable.
Well Inspection:	If the water on the property is derived from a well instead of the public system, you may be required to obtain a water quality and well flow test. Even if not required, you may want to do this anyway as this is not something you want to have problems with. The seller may have these documents already, so be sure to ask for them. If they are recent, they may be acceptable.
Septic Inspection:	If the house is on a septic system and not public sewage, you may want to have this checked. It is one of the house's critical system and not something you want problems with after you move in.
Mechanical Inspection:	Buyers may desire an inspection of the mechanical equipment and systems on the property. This inspection is paid for by the Buyer if he/she requires it. The only exception to this is that spectic system inspections, if required by the lender, are paid for by the seller. If repairs on any system are required the cost of the repairs is negotiated.
Structural Inspections:	Again, this is a buyer expense if an inspection is desired. This inspection determines the presence of structural defects in the property. If structural repairs are required seller and buyer must negotiate an acceptable amount for repair.
Environmental or Health Inspections:	This inspection determine the presence of any environmental or health hazards such as Radon, Lead and/or Asbestos affecting the property. The inspection is at the buyer's expense. Corrective work by the seller must be negotiated.
Preclosing Final Walk-Through:	A final walk-through before closing may avoid post-closing problems. The final walk-through is the buyers last chance to make sure that the property is in the same (or agreed to) condition as the day the contract to buy it was signed and that any agreed upon repairs have been made. For sellers, the final walk-through helps establish that they met their obligations and delivered the property in a condition that was acceptable to the buyer. Real estate agents routinely attend final walk-throughs.