Once the home buying process begins, it’s a common mistake to simply start
looking at lots of properties without any system for comparing them. Many people
simply rely on memory or cryptic notes. This can be particularly problematic
over an extended time period when it’s easy to confuse the many different homes
visited.
A lot of stress can be removed from the home buying process by starting
immediately with a consistent method for comparing critical attributes across
all properties of interest visited. This section of the guide provides a
‘Property Comparison Table’ that allows you to list each property visited and
assign a score of 1 to 10 for critical attributes by summarizing prior
checklists from sections 2 through 6. A guidance chart for scoring each
checklist attribute relative to your needs is also provided below. Note that a
'one' indicates completely unsatisfactory and a '10' means outstanding.
| Checklist Subject |
Score 1-3 |
Score 4-7 |
Score 8-10 |
| Neighborhood |
Neighborhood does not address any of your major needs. |
Neighborhood addresses some of your major needs, |
Neighborhood addresses most or all of your major needs. |
| Site |
Numerous concerns about condition and maintenance
requirements. |
Some concerns about condition and maintenance
requirements. |
Site is in great condition with no obvious maintenance
concerns. |
| Exterior |
Numerous concerns about condition and maintenance
requirements. |
Some concerns about condition and maintenance
requirements. |
Exterior is in excellent condition with no major
concerns visually obvious. |
| Interior |
Numerous concerns about condition and quality of
materials and finish. |
Some concerns about condition and quality of materials
and finish. |
Excellent quality materials and finishes with no obvious
concerns. |
| Performance |
Very high utility bills and significant concerns about
quality of heating and cooling system, construction, and insulation
levels. |
Moderate utility bills with some concerns about quality
of heating and cooling system, construction, and insulation levels. |
Low utility bills with high-performance heating and
cooling system and very energy efficient construction. |
