Home Buyer's Checklist

The book is one of the many written by Robert Irwin that provide plain language info for homebuyers, sellers, and owners. Detailed checklists cover everthing from the foundation to the layout in 8 sections. In addition to the checklists is a decent size glossary and a small list of resources.

All the things you need to think about are here to remind you not to get lost in the details that don't matter, to ask the right questions of the seller/agent. You can walk around the houses you are seriously interested in and check things off and make notes without having to write down all the questions you want to ask or what you should look at and worry about what you're forgetting.

I picked up the Home Buyer's Checklist from the library awhile back and then when it was clear home buying for me was going to be a bit further in the future at the time I noted that I wanted to buy it in one of my notebooks and returned it. Well now here I am about to head out to look at houses. I took it out again from the library I recommend to any new home buyer who isn't completely familiar with the inside outs of home construction, maintenance and repair.

I found a home inspection check list at microsoft to use as well. I'm still buying Irwin's book but I won't have it in time for Tuesday night's home viewings. So I'm modifiying this one slightly and making some copies to take along to see some houses.

It has definitely been valuable to me to have read up on what to look for while house hunting. My love affair with old house details can certainly distract me from the important stuff. Pocket doors and ceiling medallions are lovely... but in 100 year old (+) houses it's awfully important to pay attention to what the sellers have done with their electrical, plumbing and heating systems! It sure would be nice to have a professional contractor to wander around with you while you look, but assuming most don't... I truly recommend reading up ahead of time and bringing along a check list!