» Search » Buy» Sell » Contact

Tour Checklist

Stay organized and on track with a

Must-Have-Checklist

Try to determine what is important to you as a homeowner, and what is less important. Think of it as "wants vs. needs". There are going to be things that you absolutely need such as additional storage, backyard, or space for a home office. There may also be features that you want but can live without such as gas cooking, hardwood floors, or a fireplace.

Create a Must-Have-Checklist with your most important home features.

Here are some important things to consider when touring homes:

1. Location. This is the single most important factor when considering resale and one of the few things that can't be changed.

2. Noise levels. Are you sensitive to road noise? If so, consider the proximity to main roads and be sure to tour during hours that you will most likely be in the home.

3. Useable bedrooms. Often older homes can list questionable spaces as bedrooms. In townhomes the 3rd bedroom is often too small to fit an actual bed. Condos occassionally list a "den" as a bedroom. Be watching for these discrepencies.

4. Bathrooms. You may or may not care about a bathroom on the main level, but it is desirable for resale purposes.

5. Master Bath. Newer homes may feature spectacular master baths. More traditional homes may or may not have a bath off the master. Do you want to share a bath with the guest room?

6. Square footage. Bigger is better for resale. Occassionally the listed square footage includes the garage and other "unfinished" spaces (especially in townhomes). This is an important distinction when comparing the size of homes. If a particular home feels small compared to the square footage, ask if the square footage includes the garage or unfinished spaces.

7. Parking. A garage or offstreet parking is a plus for resale, is this important to you?

8. Designer details. Look past paint colors, carpeting, and appliances. If everything else about the home works, you can easily change these, and possibly get a seller credit towards these items.

9. Systems. When looking at older homes, look as closely as possible at the mechanical systems. "plumbing, electrical, heat, etc."

As you can see there are many items that are important factors in selecting a home. You will undoubtedly have your own list of must-haves. Keep a check list handy to keep track of these items as you are touring and make sure you are getting the things that are most important to you. Share your list with us so we can search for homes that address your special needs, wants, and taste.

Let's go tour!