What to look for in a home

---

Once you’re ready to start looking for a home, think carefully about what you want — there is so much to consider: Sales price. Neighborhood. Distance to work, schools, shopping.

If you have children, you may want to know if there are other kids in the neighborhood and whether schools and playgrounds are nearby. As a working person, distance and travel time to and from work or the availability of public transportation may be a factor.

You’ll also want to consider the condition of the plumbing, heating, electrical systems, and whether these are up to code. Closet space. Number of bedrooms. The list goes on and on.

Open, print and take along a homebuyer checklist (.pdf) when you shop for your home. It will help you evaluate the neighborhoods and assess the availability and condition of various features of up to three homes in a side-by-side comparison. Without it, you may find it difficult to remember specific details about each home after you have looked at several.