Deciding where you want to live goes a long way in determining the type and style of house you're likely to find. If you like inner-city life for instance, your search could include properties very different from those in some of Houston's planned communities such as Greatwood, Cinco Ranch or The Woodlands.

Whether new construction or old, inside or outside the Loop, one story or two, under $100,000 or over $1,000,000, Houston has something special to offer the first-time, move-up or move-down home buyer.

Narrowing the Search

No doubt, a house has to feel right. But emotions can change quickly if a house doesn't work right, too.

Once a home makes it onto your "seriously considering" list, you want to make a good preliminary personal inspection. Scrutinize the house with an eye toward how well it will work for you. No house will be perfect. Your job is to make sure that you can live with any problems (or repair costs). Here are some of the things to look for:

Outside the Home

• Do trees and shrubs appear healthy?
• Does the yard slope so that water will drain?
  Look for low spots near the house.
• Are sidewalks and driveways in good condition? Will water drain?
• Are the surface materials of the house in good repair?
• Do windows, doors, and chimney sit plumb and square?
• Is the roof free from sags and dips? Are shingles in good repair?
• Are gutters and downspouts in good shape?
• Check to see if weep holes are clear and above ground level.

The Floor Plan

• Does the main entry lead you to the living room, or did you have to pause to figure out which way to go?
• Is the kitchen close to the garage or another entry for ease of unloading groceries?

• Are eating areas, including those outdoors, easily accessible from the kitchen?
• Does kitchen traffic flow outside the work area?
• Are the stove, sink, and refrigerator arranged in an efficient triangle?
• When appliance doors are open, do they block access to other appliances, cabinets, or doorways?
• Do bedrooms have two uninterrupted wall surfaces to make furniture arrangements easy?
• Are there enough baths for the size of your family? Is access convenient?

Inside the Home

• Are there signs of excessive dampness or flooding?
• Do exposed beams and joists appear to be in sound condition?
• Is the attic well-insulated? Any water damage from a leaky roof?
• Are floors even and sturdy?
• Are walls free from large cracks?
• Do all windows and doors work smoothly?
• Are bathroom fixtures in good condition? Does the water flow remain steady when taps are on and toilets are flushed? Does water drain well?
• Are there enough electrical outlets in all the rooms?
• Is the capacity and recovery time of the water heater adequate for your family?
• Are kitchen appliances in good repair? Which ones come with the sale? Will your appliances fit if need be?
• Do the furnace and air conditioner appear to be well-serviced?

When interest turns to decision-making and an offer is written, plan to bring in a professional inspector of your choice to help you determine if the property meets your needs and requirements. Several choices concerning repairs are built into the TREC contract.