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The Househunter's Scorecard

Print This Out and Take It Along With You
Nothing's quite so frustrating as forgetting why you liked two or three particular homes after weeks of looking. With this scorecard, you can keep a record for yourself.

Not only does this list include most of the features you'll be needing in a home, it takes into account the importance of the surrounding community.

Maybe even more important, it allows you to set up a priority list ahead of time, a ranking order of features from the most vital to insignificant. Since most home purchases are compromises, this should help make your decision easier.

The priority list can also help a Realtor get a better picture of what you are looking for in a house to select those houses available that best meet your requirements.

When you are visiting different homes, there's no need to feel embarrassed about pulling out this check list and making notes. After all, you have a big decision to make, and it behooves you to take every precaution.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Selecting Your Title Insurer
You'll want to protect the title to your property with title insurance from the Chicago Title and Trust Family of Companies, the foremost name in title insurance. You want to be sure that you have a good title, free and clear of any claim which might possibly affect your ownership in the future. A title insurance policy insures your rights as a homeowner. Should a claim ever arise against your title as insured, the CTIC Family will immediately arrange for legal counsel to defend your title, in court if necessary, completely at its own expense. Should the claim be valid and a loss sustained, it is paid by the CTIC Family up to the full value of the policy.
 

 
About the House: Priority House A House B House C
Asking price        
Real estate taxes        
Water bill        
Heating bill        
Electric bill        
Age of house        
One-story        
Two-story        
Wood frame        


About the House: Priority House A House B House C
Brick and wood frame        
Aluminum siding        
Overall exterior condition        
Storm windows        
Garage (note capacity)        
Gas heat        
Electric heat        
Hot-water heat        
Age of heating plant        
Central air cond./age        
Number of bedrooms        
Living room        
Separate dining room        
Kitchen eating area        
Number of bathrooms        
Closets        
Refrigerator        
Cooking stove        
Disposal        
Dishwasher        
Clothes washer/dryer        
Laundry space        
Adequate water heater        
Basement storage area        

About the House: Priority House A House B House C
Finished basement        
Attic storage area        
Finished attic        
Number of fireplaces        
Drapes        
Carpeting        
Modern electrical wiring        
Sump pump/drainage        
Overhead sewer system        
Backyard patio        
Fence on lot lines        
Pleasing landscaping        

About the Neighborhood: Priority House A House B House C
Streets Clean        
Neighbors' property well-maintained        
Flooding (check local government)        
Loud noises, bad odors        
Nearby train tracks        
Open drainage ditch        
All utilities installed        
Area zoned residential        
Nearby industry        
Proposed special assessments        
Garbage collection        
Street lights        
Streets and alleys well-maintained        
Heavy airplane traffic        
Newspaper stories about community
or school difficulties
       

The House Is Near: House A House B House C
Public transportation
(within walking distance)
     
Thoroughfares or expressways
(short driving time)
     
Convenience shopping      
Schools which the children will attend
(check with school officials)
     
Parks      

The House is X Minutes From: House A House B House C
Work  
Downtown  
Convenience shopping  
Elementary school  
High School  
Doctors  
Relatives  
House of worship  

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