There’s more to finding a place to live than falling in love with a cozy kitchen or big backyard. Scrutinize potential houses or apartments inside and outside before allowing the romance to carry you away.

SCOUT THE AREA

1. Pay attention to location. Realtors aren’t kidding when they say that the three most important points about any home are location, location, and location. Different people will have different preferences regarding location, but everything about the location of a house or apartment will affect your quality of life. Give careful thought to the town, the neighborhood, the street, and the building’s location.

2. Case the neighborhood. Walk a few blocks in each direction to get a feel for the neighborhood. Are homes and yards well maintained? Beware if you see several “for sale” signs, which could indicate current or budding problems. Are businesses or industrial complexes mixed with residential areas? If so, are they likely to cause noise, traffic problems, unpleasant odors?

3. Visit at night. Go after dark, using the method of transportation you’ll use when you live there. Do you feel safe in the train station at night? Is this an area where you’d feel comfortable walking after dark? Is it peaceful, or are vehicles, businesses, or residents making a lot of noise?

4. Explore the “errand circuit.” Visit the nearest grocery store: Is it conveniently located? Would you want to shop there? Are dry cleaner, drugstore, bank, post office, library, and other stops on your errand route easy to get to and pleasant to use?

5. Look for lifestyle amenities. How convenient are parks, theaters, places of worship, good restaurants?

6. Talk to neighbors. Don’t be shy—if you move to the neighborhood, you’ll want to talk to them occasionally anyway. Tactfully ask them to tell you the things they like most and least about living there. Residents are usually happy to chat with their prospective neighbors. If you encounter unfriendliness, take note.

7. Check out local regulations. If you’re buying a home, quiz your realtor on zoning ordinances, property taxes, upcoming assessments, homeowner association rules, and other issues that will affect expenses on and control of the property. Your realtor can and should investigate these issues for you. If you don’t get complete answers, go to city hall and track them down on your own.

CASE THE JOINT

If you’re purchasing a home, hire a home inspection expert to look the place over carefully and give you a report on his findings. If you’re renting, you are generally on your own for checking out the soundness and quality of the building. Before you sign a lease, be sure to go over the items on this checklist.

1. Look into utility costs. If you’re purchasing, ask to see utility bills for the past twelve months. If you’re renting, ask about typical utility costs in each season, especially summer and winter.

2. Turn everything on. If refrigerator, stove, washer, dryer, or other appliances come with the place, make sure they work. Run the garbage disposal, turn on the stove, look at the temperature reading in the refrigerator and freezer. Turn on the heater and air conditioner. Note how long it takes each room to heat up or cool down.

3. Test the water pressure. Flush the toilet(s) while the shower is running and check the pressure and temperature in the shower. Run the kitchen faucet while another tap is open or flush the toilet while the water’s running in the sink.

4. Examine doors and windows. Do they open easily and close securely? Are the locks in good working order? Do the windows have screens?

5. Look closely at walls, floors, and baseboards. Look for mildew or water stains on walls, ceilings, carpets, and floors. Pay close attention to warped boards or mottled, uneven walls; these could be signs of leaking pipes, roof, or general dampness. Use your nose to check for mildew as you open closets and cupboards.

6. Keep an eye out for pests. Carefully inspect corners and cupboards for droppings or other telltale signs of rodents or bugs. And, of course, traps are a dead giveaway.