Below is a checklist of items I have built from over 30+ years when it comes to evaluating homes for buyers and fielding comments from buyers on homes I have sold.
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The Big Picture
Is this property located in a known “high demand” area? Or adjacent to one?
Near an interstate with road noise, planned expansion or airport?
County or city known for lower or higher property taxes?
Close to industrial or commercial uses?
Is it above the median price range for the area?
Does it feel like the area is in transition? New developments, tear downs and rebuilds or several commercial vacancies
Is there some major new industry/initiative nearby? Use Google maps and Google earth
How is the normal commute traffic flow through this area? Test it personally during rush hour
The Location
Lots of pavement striping at neighborhood entry (traffic congestion leaving neighborhood)
House fronts on a busy road with a double-yellow line (street view on Google via the address)
Right nextdoor to the neighborhood Swim/Tennis facility (lights, noise)
Next to the neighborhood detention pond (maintenance, bugs, unknown, unsightly)
Straight ahead at a “T” intersection or culdesac (headlights at night, feng shui)
Way back in large subdivision (you can’t give easy directions to visitors or deliveries)
“Culdevision” (short, single street neighborhood with 6-12 homes)
Near high tension powerlines
Next to colonial underground pipeline easement (can limit yard usability)
Elementary school district test scoring impact (Greatschools online website)
Inline with flight patterns of nearby airport
Unsightly neighboring properties
Value way above neighboring homes
Architecture inconsistent from most in neighborhood
Outside of the norm on a significant feature
Smells (water treatment treatment facilities, paper mills, agricultural areas, etc)
Near a noisy outdoor venue (amphitheater, ballfields, racetrack, etc.)
HOA Financial Solvency and Care of Common Areas (especially Condos)
The Property Itself
Does it look like the seller knows they are on the market? (Curb appeal, fresh landscaping, pressure washed driveway, clean crisp entry)
Located near the subdivision entry (noise, privacy, max traffic)
Corner lot? (deeper setbacks, usually exposed / less privacy)
Size and Shape (significantly larger or smaller/narrow, notched, pie shaped or irregular)
No backyard (shallow lot OR very steep drop off)
100 yr Flood zone ( insurance premiums and rainfall stress)
Creek buffer restrictions (75 ft from wet streams )
Steep topography in general (up is bad, down is worse )
Odd or unkept neighboring properties in view/rentals (can’t change)
Front door below street level (curb appeal / possible drainage issues)
Steep driveway (less desirable)
Landscaping versus other homes currently on the market (shaggy or crisp?)
Near an intersection with an uphill grade – vehicle acceleration noise (check behind property)
House facing a certain direction (or not facing a certain direction)
Imposing thing nextdoor (house too close, looming above, can’t screen out, cell tower, etc)
Weird easements (drainage, creeks, powerline, sewer, access to other property)
Odd layout / configuration (ex. can’t see play area from kitchen – concern with littles)
The House
Odd front entry (steep steps, no sidewalk, parking areas off to side with side door, etc)
No basement (when most homes in neighborhood have one)
Unique layout (anything not straight-forward or complicated)
Synthetic stucco (stigma)
Split-level style home (hard to renovate and expand; limits number of buyers)
Primary owner’s suite below main level (odd floor plan)
Less than three bedrooms above grade (upside down house, fine at the lake – not in the city)
Walking through the front door and bumping directly into a wall or stairs
Can the basement be finished if not already? (ceiling heights lower than 8ft)
Main level ceiling heights (higher the better)
Garage (size vs price point – 3 car expected in luxury)
Drive Under or Detached Garage (more of an issue in luxury price point)
Front entry garage (side entry is preferred)
Any signs of moisture intrusion? (Cupped hardwood floors, yard sloping towards house, humidifier running)
On Septic System? (can limit number of bathrooms, old drain lines fail)
Private primary bath (shared master bath is kiss of death in a ranch style home)
Pocket renovations (renovated areas REALLY expose unrenovated areas)
More that two sets of stairs OR random step downs into rooms (safety when hosting guests)
Flooring material consistent throughout? (Max 3 different materials PLEASE)
Do the furnishings match the price and style of home?
Architecture inconsistent from most in neighborhood
Swimming pool that consumes the entire backyard (unless patio home or empty-nester neighborhood)
Any expensive underground improvements that are not obvious (Retaining walls, stormwater storage)
