Questions to Ask Before Starting Your Home Search

Lease

• Do you want a month-to-month agreement or a long term lease?
• Can you get out of the lease in case of a job change or emergency?
• Do you have a “cooling period” in case you change your mind after moving in?
• Do you need to put down a security deposit?
• Do you have references that you can share with the leasing company?

Inside

• Can you paint or make any changes to the interior?
• Is there a warranty?
• What will be covered if broken?

Location

• Do you want to have a view or be close to, for example, the beach?
• Do you want to be in a cul-de-sac?
• Have you checked local crime?
• Have you checked the Megan’s Law registry?
• Is it healthy to live here? What is pollution like?
• What is the area infrastructure like? Lead in the pipes?
• Are there any poisonous succulents or flowers nearby?
• If you have a dog, are there any loud noises around or that happen annually (for example, fireworks)?

Floor Plan

• Do you want an open or closed floor plan?
• If you have more than one bedroom, do you want them to share a wall?
• Do you want many stories? Can you easily walk up and down stairs?
• Do you have room for storage?
• Do you want to live above other people and will they hear you or your dog when you move around?

Neighbors

• Have you talked to anyone who lives in the neighborhood?
• Do you want to be a corner unit?
• Do you share walls? Can you hear your neighbors talk, their tv, etc?
• Do you feel like you can play your TV at an acceptable volume and not disturb others?
• Do your neighbors all have WiFi and are you sensitive to EMFs?
• Are your neighbors like you?
• Do they care about the upkeep of their homes?
• Will you be able to keep your windows open without disturbing or being disturbed by neighbors?
• How will disputes with neighbors be settled?

Utilities

• Do you have access to the utilities that you need? For example, what is the speed of the Internet connection?
• Have you checked the radio waves in your area? For example, are you close to power cables or a cell phone tower?
• Do you want to have a clothes washer/dryer in your unit? If not, how much are the community units and are they cleaned?
• Do you need a dishwasher?
• Do you need an air conditioner?
• Do you need heating?
• Do you need a refrigerator?
• Is there adequate power all of your electronics?
• Does your neighborhood recycle?
• Can you get a sample of a utility bill for your budget?

Weather

• What would you like the weather to be like? Do you like rain or hot weather?
• What direction does the wind blow?
• Do you want the sun to face your windows in the morning or the evening?
• What is the air quality?

Dogs

• Do you want to take an elevator for your dog to do #1 or #2?
• Do you need hardwood floors?
• Do you want your pet to be able to go out in front of your place?
• Is there grass?

Parking

• Do you have enough for two parking spaces? Does your area have parking for friends to visit?
• Do you want a carport or garage?
• Do you need to be able to charge a car?

Community

• Do you want to be able to walk or ride your bike to area stores, etc?
• Is there a pool and jacuzzi and how important is this to you? When does it get busy?
• Is there a gym so that you don’t need extra membership? When does it get busy?
• Is it safe to walk at night?
• Are you close to community trash and will you smell it when it is warm?
• Is there a manager or homeowners association? Can you go to one of the board meetings or read the latest minutes?

Commuting

• Do you have a lot of traffic passing your place?
• Is it easy to get in and out of your community no matter the time of day? Is there a controlled intersection?
• Does it matter if you are close to work and what is the commute like when you will normally be coming and going to work?
• How long does it take you to get to a freeway?

Patio

• Do you want a patio connected to your property or on the roof?