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House Hunting Checklist to Find the Home of Your Dreams

House Hunting Checklist to Help You Find the Home of Your Dreams

If you’re in the process of buying a house, there are many important steps to the home buying process that you don’t want to overlook. House hunters who use house hunting tips such as getting approved for a loan, preparing a price range, finding a reliable real estate agent and other related items tend to be more educated home buyers.

Home buyers should go into an open house or home showing having created a house hunting checklist to ensure the home matches their needs and is in good condition.

Falling in love with the home of your dreams is something that every person can look forward to, but it can also be a stressful experience. When you go to buy a home, can you remember every detail? Do you remember if there was enough storage space, or if the grocery store was a reasonable distance?

Use this house hunting checklist and the following house hunting tips to help you find the home you’ve always dreamt of!

Print Checklist

What to do Before House Hunting

Before you get your feet wet, there are a few things to check off your house hunting checklist. First, you should find realtors in your area. You can do this by going through the National Association of Realtors, or you can get in contact with a realtor with homes for sale in your area.

Next, you should decide on a price range and figure out your financing options. Ask yourself: How is my credit score? Will I get approved for a loan? Answer these questions before you get your heart set on a house that you might not be able to afford.

How to Find the Home of Your Dreams

Okay, so you’ve found a realtor and you have an idea of your price range.

Now is the perfect time to take out your house hunting checklist while you go through the house. Try not to leave any boxes unchecked on the house hunting checklist!

Exterior

On the exterior of the home, note the overall look of the house. Does it have curb appeal? Check with the realtor about the foundation of the home, and note the year it was built.

What material are the siding and the roof made of, and does it look like they will need to be repaired/replaced in the coming years?

Next, take a look at the front and back yards. If there is a deck or porch, do you feel like there’s enough room for you to host company?

Lastly, check to make sure you like the size of the garage, its placement, and if the home offers enough storage space. For some, a home with an attached garage is a must.

Community

No question is a bad question when looking to buy a house; feel free to ask about the safety of the neighborhood and if there are recreational facilities nearby.

It’s important to plan for the future, as well. Take note of the school district and the distance the house is from the local schools. Ensure your work commute will be reasonable, as well.

Utilities

As you enter the home, begin to take stock of the utilities. Questions to ask your realtor include how recently the AC was installed and if there has ever been any plumbing issues or water damage to the home.

If there is a washer/dryer in the home, check to make sure they’re in good condition and don’t need replacing. You should also check the water pressure within the house to make sure it is up to the task.

Inspecting the Interior of a New House

When you begin inspecting the interior of the home, carefully check out the walls and ceilings. Color is one thing, but look for any structural issues or drywall concerns.

Next, take a look at the flooring. Replacing floors can be a very expensive and time-consuming process, so it’s important that you answer this question on your house hunting checklist honestly.

Another important aspect of buying a new home: windows! Natural light is great, but make sure you won’t be letting too much light in during the hot hours of the day.

Kitchen

Your kitchen is the soul of your home! You’ll be cooking and eating there every day, and it’s one of the most important rooms to make sure to get right when hunting for a new house. Check the appliances, cabinets, and pantry space.

Next, check the countertops. The condition and construction are important, but an underrated aspect is counter space. You’ll want ample space to put countertop appliances and to spread out while cooking.

Living Room

You’ll also be spending a lot of time in the living room, so make sure it’s a place you’ll want to spend a lot of time. Check the fixtures as always, and if there’s a fireplace, make sure it has been well-maintained.

Bathrooms

Check to make sure all faucets are working properly and the tap water is clear of scent. Make sure the condition of the bathtubs/showers and toilets are all up to par, as well.

You should also make sure you are happy with the cabinets, drawers, and lighting fixtures here, as well.

Bedrooms

Just as with every other room in the house, check on the lighting fixtures in the bedrooms, and make sure they are as big as you want them to be.

Your closet is another underrated aspect of your dream home. Check on the size of the closet, as well as the availability of racks for hanging clothes.

Moving Into Your Dream House

Now that you’ve inspected the house, followed these house hunting tips, filled out your house hunting checklist, and decided to pursue it, you need to start planning to move in!

Follow our Checklist to Moving to make sure your move goes as smoothly as possible, and when you’re ready to move, choose Cool Box Portable Storage Units to make your transition easier!

Fill out our ‘Instant Online Quote Form’ for Portable Moving Containers so you can estimate your moving expenditures or if you have any questions, call us today; we are here for you!