Tours are where enthusiasm runs ahead of information. A short, consistent checklist keeps every house comparable.
Ask before you go
- Roof age, HVAC age and water heater age
- Whether the home is on public water and sewer, or a well and septic system
- HOA dues and any special assessments
- Days on market and any price changes
Look for these on site
- Crawlspace and moisture. Many Triangle homes sit on crawlspaces. Musty smells, standing water or recent encapsulation work are worth noting.
- Grading and drainage. Red clay soil holds water. Look at where downspouts discharge and whether soil slopes away from the house.
- Trees. Mature hardwoods are part of the appeal of Chapel Hill and Durham, and also a roof and gutter maintenance item.
- Windows and doors. Sticking doors or cracks above openings can point to settling.
After each showing
Write three notes before the next house: what you loved, what worried you, and what it would cost to fix. By the fifth tour, the notes will matter more than memory.