The ultimate must-have checklist for your new home

Keeping all your house-hunting questions straight can be a real headache. If you’re wondering what to look for when buying a house, we’ve compiled a quick house-hunting checklist to cover all the basics. 

What is a House Hunting Checklist?

Essentially, a home wants and needs list helps you assess what is most important to you in your home purchase and keeps your search focused and narrowed to relevant homes. This checklist will include questions about location, size, price, neighborhood, schools, and amenities.

Big Picture Questions

What is the timeframe that you think you’ll live in the house? Whatever your number is, add a few years to it to err on the safe side.

Will you have the same job? Where you work and your salary can affect where you live. Choose a home that is convenient to your office as well as local amenities.

Will you add kids, pets, or other family members during this time? All of these can affect how you use your home and the specific needs that must be met.

What do you love/hate about your current home? Writing down the pros and cons of your current residence will help you pinpoint what to look for in a new home (and what to avoid).

What areas of town, stores, friends/family do you visit on the regular? What is the drive time to those places?  Use Google maps to star all your most frequently visited places and estimate driving distances.

Small Picture, Home Specific Questions

Number of bedrooms: If you’re planning to grow your family, size up in terms of bedrooms. 

Number of bathrooms: The larger your family is, the more bathrooms you’ll need. 

Are the rooms big enough for kids? Make sure there is enough space for your children to grow. 

Do you want an open floor plan or closed-off rooms? Many families enjoy open-plan rooms as they suit a casual lifestyle and create more ways to spend time together. However, closed-off rooms provide more privacy and noise control.

Are there hallways separating areas, concentrating noise or does the home have a small footprint with rooms in close proximity? If you are planning to work from home, it’s important to have space that is quiet and distraction-free.

Sprawling floor plan or multi-story? If you have children or accessibility needs, then you might prefer a sprawling floor plan. 

Basement or attic for storage? These additional spaces can be used for storage or converted into bonus living space.

Laundry room? In the house or units in the garage? Does the home have a full laundry room or simply units tucked into the garage?

Does the house have central air? Be sure to ask and check for vents in the home.

Ceiling fans? Ceiling fans are a nice touch in warmer climates.

Is there ample storage like linen closets, large bathroom vanities with drawers, or closets/cabinets? Bathroom storage is often overlooked during home tours. 

Are there tubs and showers? Check to make sure your preference is provided as a lot of newer homes forego tubs.

Does the kitchen have enough storage for food and appliances? Look for a pantry, storage cabinets, and under-island storage.

Is the range gas or electric? Do you have strong preferences on either?

Is there a separate dining area? Many contemporary homes don’t have formal dining rooms anymore but for those who wish to entertain this may be important.

Are the ceilings low or vaulted? The ceiling height will impact your lighting, furniture decisions, and energy bill.

Is there a fireplace, pellet stove, or other heat source? Some people enjoy a fireplace in the winter, while others prefer not to have to deal with the mess.

Are there many windows? Access to natural light is a selling point for many homes because it makes a space feel lighter and more spacious.

Is there an entryway? Coat Closet? If you entertain a lot, it’s beneficial to have a foyer to welcome guests.

Is there a place to drop your things when you first get home? I’s great to have a place to put down your belongings when you walk in the door. 

Is there room to have guests over? If you plan to host friends and family, is there adequate common area space for guests to linger and flow?

Is the master bedroom directly over the kids’ rooms? Sprawling home layouts provide better noise buffering and more privacy. Noises carryover in compact homes with small footprints.

Is there room for an office or desk if you need it? If you work from home, a separate office is beneficial to minimize distractions and boost productivity.

Will the home be easy to childproof? If you have or are intending to have children, the home should be able to be childproofed. For example, you might want to avoid a step-down living room. 

What is the flooring material? Is there carpeting, hardwood, tile? Consider how easy the floors will be to clean and maintain. 

What is the wall material? Is the home interior drywall thus easy to repair? Is it a dated material like plaster?

Are there any walk in closets? This is a must for many adults who have larger wardrobes.

Home Exterior Questions

Is there a garage? How many car ports does it have and is it enough for you/your family?

Is the front door covered? Front doors will last longer if protected from the elements.

Is the back door covered? Likewise, back doors should be shielded from the rain if possible.

Is the yard fenced? This is important if you have dogs or want to keep local critters out.

Is the driveway and sidewalk smooth or old and uneven? An old neighborhood often comes with cracked and uneven sidewalks and driveways.

What direction does the home face? This impacts the amount of light a home receives, and can affect your heating/cooling bills.

Is there a great deal of landscaping to keep up? You’re buying the yard as well, so be sure you can keep up with the landscaping.

Is there a deck or patio? If you enjoy sitting outside, having a deck or patio is a huge draw.

Is there a watering system? If there is no watering system, you’ll either have to install one or water the yard manually.

Is parking close to the house? Close proximity makes access easier and is beneficial when unloading the car on weekly grocery hauls and Costco runs!

Will it be easy to get furniture in and out? Maneuvering large pieces into a home can be challenging. Double doors are great, while sharp angles near the doors can complicate the process.

Is the yard too shady? Too sunny? This will affect what can grow in your yard and how you spend your time there.

Is there enough parking for when you have visitors or teen drivers? Consider how many cars there might be and if there is enough parking in your driveway or street.

Upgrades & Renovations You Are Willing to Make

If a home checks all the boxes minus 1 or 2 small remodel projects- what are those projects? Scope creep is real in home renovations. Clearly outline what rooms you are willing to remodel and improve in order to purchase a house that checks all the boxes.

Neighborhood Questions

Is there a lot of foot traffic/car traffic? Safety and noise pollution are important considerations. Think about how much traffic comes down your street and whether you’re comfortable with it.

Near public transportation? If you are planning to take public transportation to work, school, and beyond, check to see where the closest public transportation access points are.

Near a school? If you have children, finding a home near a good school may be a top priority. 

Easy access to a grocery store? It’s helpful to have a store down the street that you can quickly access for the essentials.

Easy access to a gas station? Being able to fill up your car’s gas tank on the way to and from your house is a huge plus.

Non-Negotiables & Deal Breakers

It’s easy to get excited about a home when touring it, but it’s a long term commitment and you need to love your house! The next time you find a home you’re interested in, walk through this quick house hunting checklist.