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Real Estate:The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday,‘Feb. 23, 1994 â€" 30 Making checklist good idea when houseâ€"hunting f you‘re thinkâ€" Iing of purchasâ€" ing a home in the near future, you‘ve probably already _ started looking. You may have seen quite a few and the details are starting to become somewhat hazy and jumbled. Do you rememâ€" ber which one had the ensuite bath and which one had the walkout basement? How much storage space did the first choice on your list have? Were appliâ€" ances included in all of the homes you viewed? And Inclepencently owned an Please call Richard for a complimentary Evaluation of your property today. 0'.O..OO.«.....O.QO.O..O..OIO Nelaln (a)thin FAIRWAY HILLS EXECUTIVE RETREAT! Treat your senses to a soothing environment and be the envy of everyone in Fairway Hills! A unique property awaifting to be discovered by the privileged few. J WATCH THE CANADIAN OPEN FROM 1 YOUR FAMILY ROOM\!! A must see for anyone who appreciates the finer things in life. NOW ONLY $550,000 THEY‘RE GOING FAST! DON‘T MISS THIS ONE! UPGRADES GALORE! 3,800 sq. ft. Mattamy Yorkshire on quiet street. Oversize lot, huge deck, Seariet O‘Hara staircase open to basement, too many upgrades to mention. Moveâ€"in condition! NOW ONLY $342,000 3,100 sq. ft. Mattamy Chamberlain backing onto parkland! Beautifully decorated and in impeccable condition. A must see! $299,500. NOW ONLY $290,000 FREEKHOLD BACKING ONTO© GREENSP ACE 3 good bdrms., 3 plece ensuite off master comer gas fireplace. Finished basement. Moveâ€"in condition! River Oaks School System. $169,900. w e e what about property taxes and mainteâ€" nance costs associâ€" ated with each home? Can you remember _ how close local ameniâ€" ties â€" like stores, schools, and public transport â€" were to each of the homes you liked? Which one had the landâ€" scaping you liked best? Compiling _ a house hunting checklist as you go through _ homes could help you keep better track of things, so thatâ€"you can easily recall the advantages â€" and drawbacks of each one. When you see a home that really grabs your attenâ€" tion, take a sheet of paper and write down the location, asking price, annual property _ taxes, mortgage terms, and any applicable zoning restrictions. A realtor should be able to provide any information you‘re lacking. EXTERIOR Jot down your impressions of the exterior of the home, noting the lot size and shape, position of the home on the lot (facing north or south, east or west), and whether it has a private or shared driveway. Also note whether it has a large front, side and backyard, _ what condition the landâ€" scaping is in, and whether there are many mature trees and shrubs. What type of siding does the home have, and what kind of shape is it in? Is it a detached home or a duplex? How many stories does it have? Don‘t forget to jot down whether it has THINKING OF SELLING? Call today for a complimentary market evaluation YVONNE LITTLE, 338â€"92000 Not intended to Properties already list an attached or detached garage and whether it can store one or two cars. Also note whether there is a porch or verandah, storage shed and whether the yards are fenced. How private is the home? While still outâ€" side, take a good look at the roof and note its general condition and age. Check to see if any roof repairs were made recently. As well, check eaveâ€" stroughs and downâ€" spouts for signs of deterioration and look at the type of foundation _ the home has. Are there any visible cracks or holes or signs of water seepage? Of course, you will want to hire a house inspector for a thorough, profesâ€" sional survey â€" outâ€" side and inside â€" of any home you‘re serious about purâ€" chasing. Once you‘ve completed â€" your checklist for the exterior, it‘s time to move indoors. Note whether the home has a separate front hallway with a guest closet. How many rooms does the home contain altogether? Check windows and note whether they are single pane or thermopane. Do they open and close without sticking? What about the doors? Also, make a note of their genâ€" eral condition and whether the locks and latches work. The kitchen is an essential part of any home, so note its general size and colors, whether it has an eatâ€"in area and sufficient cupâ€" board space. Is there a pantry or food preparation island? What condiâ€" tion are the counterâ€" tops and sink in? Are the cupboards old or new? What shape is the floor in and what is it made of? Is the existing lighting adequate for carrying out kitchen tasks, as well as dining? Also, make syre there are enough outlets to run your appliances. Are the fridge, stove, and dishwasher includâ€" ed with the sale? Note how many burners the stove has and whether it‘s gas or electric. Is the oven selfâ€"cleanâ€" ing? Once you‘ve completed â€" your kitchen checklist, move on to the dinâ€" ing room and note its size, whether it‘s separate from the kitchen and the condition of the floors and walls. Are there any builtâ€" in cupboards? Is the existing chandelier being sold with the house? Take similar notes for the living room. Is there a fireplace? â€" How many windows are there? If the home has a family room, note whether it‘s close or adjacent to the kitchen; if it has access to the outâ€" doors; and if it has a fireplace. Again, check the condition of the floor or carâ€" pet â€" and look for cracks and other potential problems. Move on to the bedrooms and note their size and closet space, â€" whether there are any winâ€" dow coverings or adjoining bathâ€" rooms. Also, note â€" the type of flooring in each bedroom and the colors the rooms are painted. Make notes on the number and size of bathrooms and the condition of the fixtures. Check all faucets and flush toilets to make sure they are in good working order and to see if there is adequate water pressure. Look for signs of mold and deterioration _ â€" sometimes these are warning signs of inadequate ventilaâ€" tion. BASEMENT Next, move down to the baseâ€" ment. Note whether it is full or partial, finished or unfinâ€" ished. Is there adeâ€" quate headroom for moving about? Is there a fireplace or w oodâ€"burning stove? Also, look for signs of moisâ€" ture â€" such as water marks and peeling paint. Note whether there is a utility area and whether the washer and dryer are being sold with the house. Again, look for signs of water damâ€" age. Also, find out if there have been any recent renovations to the home.