Checklists and Templates
Ready-to-Use References for Every Stage
Home Buying Checklist
Pre-Search Phase
- Check credit reports and scores
- Calculate budget and down payment
- Get pre-approved for mortgage
- Define must-haves vs. nice-to-haves
- Research target neighborhoods
- Interview and select buyer's agent
- Understand current market conditions
Searching Phase
- Set up listing alerts
- Tour properties systematically
- Take photos and notes at each showing
- Research each property's history
- Compare to criteria checklist
- Identify top candidates
Offer Phase
- Develop offer strategy
- Submit offer
- Negotiate terms
- Sign purchase agreement
- Deposit earnest money
Due Diligence Phase
- Schedule home inspection
- Attend inspection
- Review inspection report
- Schedule specialist inspections if needed
- Negotiate repairs or credits
- Order appraisal (lender does this)
- Review appraisal results
- Finalize mortgage application
- Lock interest rate
- Review title report
- Obtain homeowner's insurance
Closing Phase
- Review closing disclosure
- Final walkthrough
- Gather funds for closing
- Attend closing
- Sign documents
- Receive keys
Post-Close
- Change locks
- Set up utilities
- File homestead exemption
- Update address everywhere
- Keep all documents
Home Selling Checklist
Preparation Phase
- Research market conditions
- Interview and select listing agent
- Get comparative market analysis
- Determine list price
- Declutter and depersonalize
- Make necessary repairs
- Deep clean
- Consider staging
- Professional photography
Listing Phase
- Review listing agreement
- Approve listing description
- List property
- Prepare for showings
- Maintain show-ready condition
- Review showing feedback
- Adjust strategy if needed
Offer Phase
- Receive and review offers
- Evaluate terms (not just price)
- Counter or accept
- Sign purchase agreement
Contract Phase
- Cooperate with buyer's inspection
- Negotiate repair requests
- Make agreed repairs
- Cooperate with appraisal
- Review closing disclosure
- Prepare property for walkthrough
Closing Phase
- Complete final repairs
- Move out and clean
- Attend closing
- Sign documents
- Transfer keys
Property Viewing Checklist
Exterior
- Roof condition (visible)
- Gutters and drainage
- Foundation (cracks, settling)
- Siding/exterior walls
- Windows (condition, seals)
- Doors (condition, security)
- Driveway and walkways
- Landscaping and trees
- Fence condition
- Lot drainage
- Neighboring properties
Interior - Structure
- Foundation access (basement/crawlspace)
- Ceiling stains (water damage)
- Wall cracks
- Floor condition
- Door alignment (settling)
- Window operation
Interior - Systems
- HVAC (age, condition, operation)
- Water heater (age, size)
- Electrical panel (age, capacity)
- Plumbing (water pressure, visible pipes)
- Insulation (attic access)
Interior - Living
- Room sizes (bring measurements)
- Natural light
- Storage space
- Closets
- Layout and flow
- Noise levels
Kitchen
- Cabinet condition
- Counter space
- Appliances (age, condition)
- Plumbing (under sink)
- Ventilation
Bathrooms
- Fixtures
- Tile condition
- Signs of water damage
- Ventilation
- Water pressure
Red Flags
- Musty or mold smell
- Fresh paint in spots (hiding problems?)
- Sagging floors or ceilings
- Active water damage
- Pest evidence
- DIY work quality
Investment Property Analysis Template
Property Information
- Address: _____________
- Type: _____________
- Beds/Baths: _____________
- Square Feet: _____________
- Year Built: _____________
- Asking Price: $____________
Acquisition Costs
- Purchase price: $____________
- Closing costs: $____________
- Repairs needed: $____________
- Total investment: $____________
Financing
- Down payment: $____________ (___%)
- Loan amount: $____________
- Interest rate: ____%
- Loan term: ___ years
- Monthly P&I: $____________
Monthly Income
- Gross rent: $____________
- Other income: $____________
- Gross income: $____________
Monthly Expenses
- Property taxes: $____________
- Insurance: $____________
- Property management (__%): $__________
- Maintenance reserve (__%): $__________
- Vacancy allowance (__%): $__________
- HOA: $____________
- Utilities (landlord paid): $____________
- Other: $____________
- Total operating expenses: $____________
- NOI (monthly): $____________
Debt Service
- Monthly mortgage (P&I): $____________
Cash Flow
- Monthly cash flow: $____________
- Annual cash flow: $____________
Returns
- Cap rate: ____%
- Cash-on-cash return: ____%
- DSCR: ___
Analysis
- 1% rule test: Pass / Fail
- Break-even occupancy: ____%
- Assessment: _______________
Print these or use as starting points for your own tracking.