Dream Home Checklist: Wants and Needs

When you finally make your way to the grocery store after adding numerous items to the list, aren't you glad you remembered to bring it with you shopping? It is similar to shopping for Mississauga houses or Mississauga Townhouses and condos for sale. Keep a Dream Home Checklist to make sure that you do not forget what you want or need in that perfect home.

Home Location:  _________________________________________
Address:  ________________________________________________
Asking Price:  ____________________________________________
Annual Property Taxes:  __________________________________
Mortgage Terms:  ________________________________________

Exterior

• Large lot and yard
• Single-family detached home
• Duplex/Triplex
• Semi-detached home
• Town home
• Condominium
• One storey home
• Two storey home
• Three storey home
• Fenced backyard
• Deck or patio area
• Mature trees, landscaping
• Low-maintenance landscaping
• Swimming pool
• Attached garage
• One-car garage
• Two-car garage
• Private driveway
• Enclosed front porch
• Eaves troughs and downspouts
• Brick
• Wood
• Aluminum siding
• Recently painted woodwork

Home Location

• Address
• Asking price
• Annual property taxes
• Mortgage terms

Interior

• 1 bedroom
• 2 bedroom
• 3 bedroom
• 4 bedroom
• 1 bathroom
• 2 bathroom
• 3 bathroom
• 4 bathroom
• Closet in foyer
• Separate dining room
• Fireplace in living room
• Separate family room
• Fireplace in family or recreation room
• Eat-in kitchen
• Island kitchen
• Kitchen appliances with purchase
• Kitchen pantry/adequate cupboard space
• Garage has indoor access
• Utility room (for washer/dryer)
• Ensuite bathroom off master bedroom
• Main-floor bathroom
• Room for den or home office
• Wall-to-wall carpeting
• Hardwood floors
• Plenty of closets/storage
• Large windows
• Thermopane windows
• Window screens
• Draperies or blinds
• Basement for storage/workshop
• Finished basement for additional living area
• Apartment in basement for rental income

Systems

• Efficient heating system
• Oil heating system
• Gas heating system
• Electric heating system
• Heat pump heating system
• Wood heating system
• Window Air conditioning
• Central Air conditioning
• Modern plumbing (copper) and fixtures
• City water
• Well water
• High-amp electrical system (at least 100 amps)
• Circuit breakers
• Gas hot water heater
• Electric hot water heater
• Cable TV or antenna
• Sewer
• Septic Tank

Location

• Nearby facilities
• Quiet street
• Shopping within walking distance or short drive
• Parks/playgrounds
• Golf course
• Skating rinks
• Restaurants /theaters
• Community centre
• Public swimming pool/tennis courts
• Public library
• Places of worship
• Police
• Fire department
• Hospital
• Medical (doctors, dentists, etc.)
• Day care
• Snow removal
• Public transportation
• Close to work
• Near major highway
• Schools
• School-operated transportation
• NOTES

Source:  OREA (Ontario Real Estate Association) www.howrealtorshelp.ca