Here's a table I made to help me decide which properties were worthy of consideration; feel free to pinch a copy. I arranged the items alphabetically, but you might want to do so according to your own priorities.
For a baseline I did my own house, which scored a whopping 55%. I decided that any place that scored 80% or better would do. The one I am buying scored 85%.
| Feature |
Score
(1 to 5) |
Comments |
| 1 acre minimum (2 better) for doggies to poop | ||
| 2,000 sq. ft. house | ||
| Adequate power for shop and house | ||
| Air quality | ||
| Book shelves, storage and cabinets | ||
| Cable TV (or satellite) | ||
| Central heating, air conditioning | ||
| Community college with adult ed. program nearby | ||
| Cultural and arts, theater, concerts, etc. within 10 mi. | ||
| Dead end street, last house, no prospects of expansion | ||
| Driveway not to steep for trailering toys | ||
| Fireplace (wood stove preferred) | ||
| Good kitchen; dishwasher? Fridge? Natural lighting | ||
| Hardwood or tile floors | ||
| Hilltop location: South or West-facing | ||
| Long driveway, off-street parking, fenced for doggies | ||
| Low crime rate; "C-C" permit access a BIG plus | ||
| Neighborhood or homeowners association | ||
| Highway noise, quiet street, low traffic rate | ||
| Noise, i.e. boom-boxes, car alarms, helicopter patrols | ||
| Recycling | ||
| Sewer, not septic | ||
| Shade trees, lawn; adjacent meadow a plus | ||
| Space for 1,000 sq. ft. "mother in law" cottage | ||
| Space for a 2,000 sq. ft. shop/gallery | ||
| Telephones in; local ISP, fiber optic a plus | ||
| Good, Tolerant neighbors (but not too many) | ||
| Windows with views to South or West | ||
| Yard big & level to entertain and work on boat | ||
| Zoning restrictions: no "occupation permit" required? | ||
| Other Features | ||
| SCORE (xxx/150) |
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