Back to Fist time home buyer's guide

OK] //// [NEEDS ATTENTION] ---------- LOCATION, ENVIRONMENT & NEIGHBORHOOD
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[ ]      [ ]     Evaluate the community and neighborhood. Visit the site both
        during the day and at night.
[ ]      [ ]     What is the age, condition and value of the house compared to
        others in the neighborhood?
[ ]      [ ]     Is the site free from flooding? In a 100 year floodplain?
[ ]      [ ]     Is the house conveniently located near your place of employment,
        schools, shopping, library, medical care, park & ride, church,
        etc.?
[ ]      [ ]     What are the local zoning laws or deed restrictions?
[ ]      [ ]     How do local property tax rates and services compare with other
        similar areas?
[ ]      [ ]     Are adequate fire and police services provided?
[ ]      [ ]     Check the surrounding neighborhood for possible hazardous waste
        sites, air and/or noise polluting industries, etc.
[ ]      [ ]     Is the house old enough for lead paint, asbestos, lead soldered
        pipes etc. to be present? (Houses built before 1978 may have
        lead paint.)

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[OK] //// [NEEDS ATTENTION] ---------- LOT AND GENERAL CONDITIONS
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[ ]      [ ]     What is the condition of walkways, driveways and steps? Any
        trip hazards?
[ ]      [ ]     Does the lot have good drainage? Any yard or downspout drains?
[ ]      [ ]     Is there any indication of water ponding next to the house or
        ground contoured to slope toward the house?
        (Detrimental to the foundation.)
[ ]      [ ]     Is the home oriented for maximum benefit and protection from
        sunlight, wind, rain etc.?
        (A north-south orientation is generally more desirable.)
[ ]      [ ]     Does the yard have adequate privacy? Room for kids to play?
        Room for pets?
[ ]      [ ]     Has the landscaping been well maintained?

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[OK] //// [NEEDS ATTENTION] ----------HOUSE - FOUNDATION & EXTERIOR
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[ ]      [ ]     Has the house been remodeled, added on, or had any foundation
        repairs performed? Does the seller have building permits,
        warranty information, or other documentation?
[ ]      [ ]     What is the overall condition of paint, brick or siding?
[ ]      [ ]     Is there a potential for foundation damage from tree roots or
        shrubs which have been planted too close to the house?
[ ]      [ ]     Has the house, garage, or any other structures on the property
        been built without proper setbacks or built on home inspection
        easements, right of way etc.? Check your survey.
[ ]      [ ]     Are all openable windows screened?
[ ]      [ ]     Is adequate exterior lighting provided at entry, porches,
        driveway, etc.?
[ ]      [ ]     Do exterior doors open and close without dragging or sticking?

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[OK] //// [NEEDS ATTENTION] ----------ROOF AND ATTIC
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[ ]      [ ]     Is the age and condition of the shingles comparable to others
        in the neighborhood?
[ ]      [ ]     What is the average life expectancy for this type of roofing
        material? ________ yrs.
[ ]      [ ]     If multiple layers of roof are present, how many?
        (3 layers maximum) Does the roof sag?
[ ]      [ ]     Is the attic well ventilated? Are attic vents screened and
        in good condition?
[ ]      [ ]     Type, condition and thickness of insulation? (Modern homes
        have 6 to 8 inches of attic insulation.)
[ ]      [ ]     Are water pipes in attic insulated?
[ ]      [ ]     Do bath or kitchen vents terminate in the attic where they
        could cause potential moisture problems?
[ ]      [ ]     Any indication of past or present insect, bird or rodent
        infestation in attic?
[ ]      [ ]     Is storage space available in attic?
[ ]      [ ]     Is the attic easily accessible?

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[OK] //// [NEEDS ATTENTION] ----------HOUSE - INTERIOR & FLOOR PLAN
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[ ]      [ ]     Evaluate the floor plan by walking through the house as if
        going about your daily routine.
       ( Versatility of floor plan and serviceability.)
[ ]      [ ]     Does the house have enough bedrooms and bathrooms?
[ ]      [ ]     Adequate room sizes and storage space? (Measure if in doubt.)
[ ]      [ ]     Does placement of windows and doors allow for a variety
        of furniture arrangements?
[ ]      [ ]     Do windows provide good cross ventilation and adequate natural
        illumination?
[ ]      [ ]     What is the general condition of carpets and hard surfaced
        floors?
[ ]      [ ]     What is the general condition of drywall, wallpaper, paneling
        and any wall tile in baths or kitchen?
[ ]      [ ]     What is the general condition of cabinets, vanities and counter
        tops?

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[OK] //// [NEEDS ATTENTION] ----------HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING
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[ ]      [ ]     What is the age of the furnace and air conditioning system?
        ______ yrs. Is it efficient? (Older conventional furnaces
       may be only 60% efficient.)
[ ]      [ ]     Has the heat and air been serviced annually?
[ ]      [ ]     Is the A.C. properly sized?
       ( "Rule of thumb" is 1 ton per 550 square feet. )
[ ]      [ ]     Are filters adequately sized and located where they can be
        easily replace or cleaned?
[ ]      [ ]     Is ductwork in good condition?
[ ]      [ ]     Are there air registers in every room?
       ( Older homes may not have registers in bathrooms. )
[ ]      [ ]     Is equipment located where it can be easily serviced, and is
        protected from physical damage?
[ ]      [ ]     Is there excessive dirt or mildew around ceiling vents?
       ( This results from filters not being changed or improper
       sizing of ducts and equipment.)
[ ]      [ ]     Is equipment located where normal noise levels will not
        be objectionable or annoying?
[ ]      [ ]     Is there a separate disconnect switch for the compressor, if
        located out of sight from the breaker panel?

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[OK] //// [NEEDS ATTENTION] ----------ELECTRICAL
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[ ]      [ ]     Does the house have at least 100 amp service? Are the service
        entrance wires located at least 10 ft. above grade level or
        higher if over a driveway? Away from pool or other possible
        hazards?
[ ]      [ ]     Is the house wired with aluminum wiring? Some houses built
        from the mid 60's to early 70's may have dangerous wiring.
[ ]      [ ]     Is exterior wiring installed properly with weatherproof outlet
        covers and switches? Is exterior wiring installed in conduit?
[ ]      [ ]     Are adequate electrical outlets provided in every room? (Any
        point along a wall should not be more than 6 feet from an outlet.)
[ ]      [ ]     Are light switches conveniently located at the entrance of each
        room, at both ends of hallways and at top and bottom of stairs?
[ ]      [ ]     Is the service panel located where easily accessible, or is it
        in a clothes closet or other potentially hazardous location?
[ ]      [ ]     For older homes: Are electrical outlets grounded? Are
        G.F.C.I. (shock saver) outlets provided in baths, exterior and
       garage locations?
[ ]      [ ]     Any "handy man" or do-it-yourself type modifications to wiring?

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[OK] //// [NEEDS ATTENTION] ----------PLUMBING
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[ ]      [ ]     What type of piping does the house have? Galvanized pipe can
        corrode or buildup mineral deposits. Copper pipe may be
        soldered with lead based solder (houses built before 1989).
        Polybutylene pipe has a history of coupling related failures.
[ ]      [ ]     Is there a main shut off valve to the house, and do fixtures
        have individual shut off valves for servicing and repairs?
[ ]      [ ]     How old is the water heater? Heaters become inefficient
        with age due to mineral buildup. (Normal life expectancy is
        10-15 years.)
[ ]      [ ]     What is the distance from the water heater to the fixtures
        which will be used most often? (Water temperature drops
        approximately one degree per 1 ft. of piping.)
[ ]      [ ]     Does the house have a main sewer/drain cleanout?
[ ]      [ ]     Are sinks and tubs free from rust, chips etc.?
[ ]      [ ]     If the house has a tiled shower, is there any indication of
        previous leaking or heavy caulking around the drain or base
        tiles? This could be an indication of a leaking shower pan,
        which can be expensive to repair.
[ ]      [ ]     Are washer and dryer hookups conveniently located?
[ ]      [ ]     Is there an access panel to inspect the tub plumbing and drain?
[ ]      [ ]     If the house has a private well, has the water quality been
        tested. How far is the well from the septic system if present?
        How deep is the well? Does seller have a copy of the well
        log?
[ ]      [ ]     If the house has a septic system; how large is the tank? When
        was it last serviced or pumped out? Where is the drainage
        field or seepage pit located?

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[OK] //// [NEEDS ATTENTION] ----------FIREPLACE
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[ ]      [ ]     Any indications of previous smoking or not drawing properly?
[ ]      [ ]     Does the damper work?
[ ]      [ ]     Is there a buildup of creosote in the flue? Has the fireplace
        ever been cleaned?
[ ]      [ ]     Does the chimney have a rain cap/spark arrestor?

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[OK] //// [NEEDS ATTENTION] ----------CRAWLSPACE OR BASEMENT
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[ ]      [ ]     Is it dry? Any indications of previous water penetration?
        Any indication of previous plumbing leaks or poor drainage?
[ ]      [ ]     Has adequate ventilation been provided?
[ ]      [ ]     Is there adequate crawlspace clearance for inspections and
        repairs?
[ ]      [ ]     Has the foundation been leveled or additional supports added?
[ ]      [ ]     Any history of termite infestation or wood rot?

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[OK] //// [NEEDS ATTENTION] ----------WOOD DESTROYING INSECTS
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[ ]      [ ]     Has the house been previously treated for termites, carpenter
        ants or other wood destroying insects? If so, when? ________
         What type of chemical was used? ____________
         Is the home under contract?
         Company and renewal date. __________________________
[ ]      [ ]     Is soil in flower beds built up above the slab or weep holes?
[ ]      [ ]     Any rotted wood on house? Any wood forms imbedded in slab or
        wood debris in crawlspace? Any wood to ground contact? Any
        excessive moisture conditions? (These are common conductive
        conditions.)

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[OK] //// [NEEDS ATTENTION] ----------SECURITY SAFETY AND CONVENIENCE
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[ ]      [ ]     Is the front entrance visible from the street? Any shrubs or
        other places for attackers or burglars to hide?
[ ]      [ ]     Are hose bibbs conveniently located?
[ ]      [ ]     Are exterior doors of solid core construction with quality
        locks and hardware?
[ ]      [ ]     If security bars are present, can they be opened easily in an
        emergency?
[ ]      [ ]     Is the home equipped with U.L. approved smoke detectors?
[ ]      [ ]     Are both gas and electric dryer hookups available?
        Dryer vented to the exterior?
[ ]      [ ]     Does the neighborhood have street lights?
[ ]      [ ]     Is mail delivered to the house or neighborhood mail
        distribution center?
[ ]      [ ]     House or curbside trash pickup? Is heavy trash pickup
        available?
[ ]      [ ]     Can you obtain copies of building plans, permits, and
        operating manuals for appliances?

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----------APPLIANCES
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APPLIANCES         Check the condition of appliances included in the sale price:

APPLIANCE        AVERAGE LIFESPAN    ACTUAL AGE      COLOR         OPERATION

Refrigerator         16 years        __________    __________    ________________
Range/Oven           16 years        __________    __________    ________________
Dishwasher           10 years        __________    __________    ________________
Washer               11 years        __________    __________    ________________
Dryer                14 years        __________    __________    ________________

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ARE OTHER SYSTEMS OR ITEMS PRESENT AND INCLUDED IN THE SALE PRICE?

           Yes     No       Condition       Cost to install or repair
Security System     _____   _____    _______________   __________________________
Garage door opener _____   _____    _______________   __________________________
Water Softener      _____   _____    _______________   __________________________
Sprinkler system    _____   _____    _______________   __________________________
Pool or Spa         _____   _____    _______________   __________________________
Intercom            _____   _____    _______________   __________________________
T.V. Antenna        _____   _____    _______________   __________________________
Ceiling fans        _____   _____    _______________   __________________________
Fireplace gas logs _____   _____    _______________   __________________________
Draperies           _____   _____    _______________   __________________________
Storage buildings   _____   _____    _______________   __________________________

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Is a sellers disclosure available?
Make a list of questions to ask the seller, or to have your agent inquire of
the seller.

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What is the appraised value of the house?                ___________________________
What is the seller's asking price of the house?          ___________________________
Has the seller agreed to a dollar amount for repairs?    ___________________________
What is the estimated cost for repairs?                  ___________________________

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OTHER INFORMATION

School District:   ____________________ Tax rate:   _______________________________
home inspection District: ____________________ Tax rate:   _______________________________
In city or county? ____________________ Tax rate:   _______________________________

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