Comparing Homes Side by Side

By the third showing of the day, the houses start to blur. Was the big closet in the second one or the third? Which one backed up to the highway? The house you love at a showing isn't always the one you'd love living in. Writing things down is how you tell the difference.

For each home, note

• 1
  The basics. Size, lot, year built, bedrooms and bathrooms, storage and laundry.
• 2
  The monthly cost. Payment, taxes, insurance, HOA dues and likely utilities. The payment breakdown calculator can estimate it for each one.
• 3
  The condition. How old the roof, air conditioning and water heater are, and anything that looks tired. In Florida, roof age can affect whether and how you're insured.
• 4
  The neighborhood. Commute, schools, parks, traffic, noise, and whether nearby homes are kept up.
• 5
  The fine print. Flood zone, HOA rules, and any special assessments coming up, especially for condos.
• 6
  Your gut. One line on how it felt. It counts, but it shouldn't be the only thing that does.