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A Sixty and Me report outlines seven types of information prospective home buyers can review before making a purchase, including property records, flood maps and nearby sales. The checklist is preliminary research, not a substitute for professional advice or property-specific due diligence.
Sixty and Me has published a seven-part checklist for prospective home buyers, recommending that they review property records, flood maps, nearby development plans and comparable home sales before deciding whether to buy. The advice is intended as preliminary research to help buyers identify questions about a property and its surroundings.
The checklist calls for an aerial view of the property; its tax card and, if available, survey; its legal description; local flood maps; information about proposed nearby developments; at least three recent closed sales of similar nearby homes; and at least three similar homes currently or recently listed. The report says these records may be available through assessor, land-records and planning-office websites, as well as real estate listing services.
The author recommends comparing the parcel’s boundaries and recorded details with what a buyer sees at the property. A survey may show property lines, easements, waterways and roadways, while a deed or legal description may point to access arrangements or other recorded interests. The author also advises checking whether nearby open land is zoned or proposed for commercial or industrial development.
For pricing research, the report suggests comparing nearby homes that are similar in character and reviewing both closed-sale prices and current listings. It does not present the checklist as a formal valuation or inspection. Rather, it describes information a buyer can gather before seeking further advice or making a decision.
Early Checks Can Reveal Property Risks
The checklist focuses on issues that can affect a home’s use, access, surroundings and price, some of which may not be apparent during a viewing. A recorded easement, a private road or a flood-hazard designation could prompt a buyer to ask follow-up questions. Plans for nearby development may also change how a buyer views the location.
Comparing similar sales and listings can provide a starting point for understanding local prices, but those figures do not by themselves establish a home’s value. The report’s practical point is that buyers can gather public information early and use it to identify topics for discussion with real estate, legal, insurance or inspection professionals.
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The Seven Records to Review
The article is written from the perspective of a contributor who says people often ask for a quick opinion about a home they are considering. In response, the contributor says they ask for at least seven categories of information rather than offering a simple yes-or-no judgment. The source does not identify a specific home purchase, new law or market change; its development is the publication of consumer guidance.
The suggested sources vary by location. The report points readers to Google Earth or local assessor maps for aerial views, assessor offices for tax cards and sales data, registers of deeds or similar offices for recorded documents, and planning commissions for development information. It says many of these searches can be done online, though some records may require contacting a local office.
Local Records May Not Tell Everything
The source does not identify a particular property, jurisdiction or purchase, so it provides no property-specific findings. Record availability and terminology can vary by locality, and the report does not establish that every item will be available online or that public records are complete and current.
It also does not specify how buyers should weigh differences between comparable homes, verify zoning or flood information, or interpret legal documents. A map or listing search alone may not answer whether a property is suitable, what repairs it needs or what legal obligations apply. Those questions require follow-up based on the property and local rules.
Use Findings to Guide Follow-Up
Buyers using the checklist can gather the records, note discrepancies or concerns, and ask the relevant local offices for clarification. If a document refers to an easement, access restriction, flood hazard or proposed development, the next step is to verify what it means for the specific parcel rather than relying on a map or brief online description.
The report does not announce a formal next milestone. For someone considering a purchase, the practical next stage is to combine this preliminary research with property-specific review, including appropriate professional advice and inspections, before making a decision.
Key Questions
What does the home-buyer checklist recommend reviewing?
It recommends checking an aerial view, tax card, survey if available, legal description, flood maps, nearby development plans, comparable closed sales and similar listings.
Where can buyers find these records?
The report points to local assessor and land-records offices, planning commission resources, map services and real estate listing websites. Availability and access methods vary by location.
Does the checklist determine a home’s value?
No. Reviewing nearby sales and listings can provide pricing context, but the report does not describe this research as a formal valuation or appraisal.
What if a property appears on a flood map?
The report recommends further research if a property is in or near a flood-hazard area, including checking whether the home itself lies within the mapped area. The map alone may not resolve the property-specific implications.
Is the checklist a replacement for professional advice?
No. It is presented as preliminary research. Buyers may need qualified help to interpret legal records, assess a property’s condition or understand local requirements.
Source: sixtyandme.com
