5 Things I'd Pay Attention to at a Fall Home Showing

Every season gives buyers a slightly different look at a house.

During summer, you might notice the yard, landscaping, deck, air conditioning, and natural light.

By late October in Southeast Minnesota, we're seeing a different side of a property. Windows are closed. Furnaces are running. Leaves are falling. We've usually had plenty of rain. And colder weather can reveal things you might not notice during a beautiful June showing.

If I were walking through a home with a buyer this fall, here are five things I'd pay attention to.

1. What Does the Basement Feel and Smell Like?

Don't just look at the basement. Use your other senses too.

Does it smell musty?

Does the air feel damp?

Do you see staining, a dehumidifier, sump pump, fresh paint in one particular area, or other signs that make you curious?

None of those things automatically means there's a problem. Basements, especially in older Southeast Minnesota homes, come in all shapes and conditions.

The goal is to notice things and ask questions.

2. Can You Feel Any Drafts?

Cool weather makes drafts much easier to notice.

As you walk through the home, pay attention around windows and exterior doors.

Older windows aren't automatically a deal breaker, but understanding their condition can help you think about comfort, future improvements, and potential energy costs.

3. Where Is the Water Going?

Take a look outside.

Are the gutters in reasonable condition? Where do the downspouts empty? Does the ground appear to slope toward or away from the house?

If it's raining during your showing, even better. You may get to see the property's drainage in action.

4. How Is the House Heated?

By fall, we're entering the season when heating becomes a very important part of homeownership.

Ask what type of heating system the home has and, when information is available, its approximate age and maintenance history.

Also pay attention to how the house actually feels.

Are certain rooms noticeably colder? Does the heating seem fairly consistent throughout the home?

5. How Does the House Feel Closed Up?

This is something buyers don't always think about.

During spring and summer, windows may be open and doors may be going in and out frequently.

In late fall, you're seeing the house more like you'll actually experience it for several months of the year.

Notice airflow, temperature, odors, noise, and general comfort.

Every Showing Is About Gathering Information

You aren't looking for reasons to talk yourself out of every house.

You're gathering information.

No home is perfect, and an older home doesn't need to have every system replaced to be worth considering.

The more you understand about a property before buying it, the better prepared you are to decide whether its strengths, quirks, maintenance needs, and potential expenses make sense for you.

And sometimes an October showing can tell you things about a house that a June showing simply can't.