Home Buyer's Checklist

[Dan AlRashedy]

Hi.  So, I'm looking to buy a home for the very first time.  Homes & Land Magazine has this checklist of features for customers to focus on, as well as a grading scale so they may determine which features they do or don't want in the homes they plan on buying.  The list goes:

___ One Story

___ Two Story

___ Minimum Number of Bedrooms ___

___ Minimum Number of Bathrooms ___

___ Jacuzzi Tub

___ Separate Shower

___ Half Bath

___ Garage for ___ Cars

___ Carport

___ Great Room

___ Formal Living Room

___ Formal Dining Room

___ Upgraded Kitchen Appliances

___ Granite or Upgraded Kitchen Countertops

___ Breakfast Nook

___ Storage/Closet Space

___ Basement

___ Bonus Room/Playroom

___ Fireplace

___ Hardwood Floors

___ Inside Laundry Room

___ Covered Porch

___ Outside Deck

___ Brick Exterior

___ Siding Exterior

___ Wood Exterior
 
___ Stucco Exterior

___ Hardie Board Exterior

___ Swimming Pool

___ Fenced Yard

___ Large Yard

___ Landscaped Yard

___ Natural Gas (water heater, kitchen, fireplace)

___ Septic Tank

___ Sewer System

___ Waterfront Property

___ Golf Course Property

___ Located in ________ school zone(s)

___ Close to public transportation

___ Located within ___ miles from work

___ Located within ___ miles from ________

___ Located in a homeowners' association

The grading scale for those items is: A = Mandatory, B = Neutral, C = No Desire, D = Deal Breaker

I need expert opinions on this, so I came here.  Anyone who knows: What are the individual pros and cons for each item?