The House Hunter's Scorecard Print This Out and Take It Along With You Nothing's quite so frustrating as forgetting why you liked two or three particular homes after weeks of looking. With this scorecard, you can keep a record for yourself. Not only does this list include most of the features you'll be needing in a home, it takes into account the importance of the surrounding community. Maybe even more important, it allows you to set up a priority list ahead of time, a ranking order of features from the most vital to insignificant. Since most home purchases are compromises, this should help make your decision easier. The priority list can also help a REALTOR® get a better picture of what you are looking for in a house to select those houses available that best meet your requirements. When you are visiting different homes, there's no need to feel embarrassed about pulling out this check list and making notes. After all, you have a big decision to make, and it behooves you to take every precaution. Selecting Your Title Insurer You'll want to protect the title to your property with title insurance from the Chicago Title and Trust Family of Companies, the foremost name in title insurance. You want to be sure that you have a good title, free and clear of any claim which might possibly affect your ownership in the future. A title insurance policy insures your rights as a homeowner. Should a claim ever arise against your title as insured, the CTIC Family will immediately arrange for legal counsel to defend your title, in court if necessary, completely at its own expense. Should the claim be valid and a loss sustained, it is paid by the CTIC Family up to the full value of the policy. About the House Priority House A House B House C Asking Price         Real Estate Taxes         Water Bill         Heating Bill         Electric Bill         Age of House         One - Story         Two - Story         Wood Frame         About the House Priority House A House B House C Brick & Wood Frame         Aluminum Siding         Overall Exterior Condition         Storm Windows         Garage (note capacity)         Gas Heat         Electric Heat         Hot-Water Heat         Age of Heating Plant         Central Air / Heat         # of Bedrooms         Living Room         Separate Dining Room         Kitchen Eating Area         # of Bathrooms         Closets         Refrigerator         Cooking Stove         Disposal         Dishwasher         Clothes Washer / Dryer         Laundry Space         Adequate Water Heater         About the House Priority House A House B House C Basement Storage         Finished Basement         Attic Storage         Finished Attic         # of Fireplaces         Drapes         Carpeting         Modern Electrical Wiring         Sump Pump / Drainage         Overhead Sewer System         Backyard Patio         Fence on Lot Lines         Pleasing Landscaping         About the Neighborhood Priority House A House B House C Streets Clean         Neighbors' Property Well Maintained         Flooding (check local government)         Loud Noises, Bad Odors         Nearby Train Tracks         Open Drainage Ditch         All Utilities Installed         Area Zoned Residential         Nearby Industry         Proposed Special Assessments         Garbage Collection         Street Lights         Streets & Alleys Well Maintained         Heavy Airplane Traffic         Newspaper Stories About Community or School Difficulties         The House Is Near House A House B House C Public Transportation (within walking distance)       Thoroughfares or Expressways (short driving time)       Convenience Shopping       Schools Which the Children Will Attend (check with school officials)       Parks       Time (in minutes) From House House A House B House C Work       Downtown       Convenience Shopping       Elementary School       High School       Doctors       Relatives       House of Worship