What to Look For When You Tour a Home in Central Ohio

Beyond the paint color and staging, a smart home tour means checking the roof age, the HVAC system, water pressure, and cell service, details that matter far more to a home's long-term cost than anything cosmetic.

A client of mine walked out of a showing a few months ago completely sold on a house because of the kitchen island. I had to gently point out that the roof looked like it needed replacing within a couple of years and the basement had a faint but distinct musty smell. She hadn't noticed either, because the kitchen island really was beautiful.

That's the most common mistake I see buyers make on a tour, and it's an easy one to fix once you know what to actually look for.

What Should I Actually Check Beyond the Obvious Stuff?

Start with the roof and the exterior. A roof typically lasts 20 to 25 years depending on the material, so ask the listing agent for its age, or look for a permit record, since a roof nearing the end of its life can mean a five-figure expense within a few years of moving in. Check the foundation for visible cracks, and look at how the yard slopes away from the house, since poor grading is one of the most common causes of basement water issues in Central Ohio's clay-heavy soil.

Inside, run the water in a couple of sinks at once to check pressure, and look at the water heater's age tag, since most last 8 to 12 years. Open a few windows to see if they operate smoothly, and take a moment to actually smell the basement rather than just glancing at it, since musty odors are often the first sign of moisture problems that don't show up visually until much later.

Is the HVAC System Actually Worth Asking About?

Yes, and it's one of the most overlooked parts of a tour. A furnace or AC system typically runs 15 to 20 years before needing replacement, and swapping out a full HVAC system in Central Ohio commonly runs several thousand dollars depending on the home's size and the system's efficiency rating. Ask directly how old the system is and whether it's been serviced regularly, and don't be shy about asking to see maintenance records if the seller has kept them.

It's also worth turning the thermostat on during a showing, even briefly, just to confirm the system actually runs. It sounds obvious, but a surprising number of buyers skip this step and find out about a broken system only after closing.

What Details Do Buyers Consistently Forget to Check?

Cell phone service and internet options are two of the most commonly overlooked details on a tour, and they matter more than people expect once they're actually living somewhere day to day. Standing in different rooms and checking your phone's signal takes thirty seconds and can save a genuine headache later, especially in some of Central Ohio's more rural or wooded pockets where coverage can vary block by block.

Storage is another one buyers underestimate on a walkthrough. Open every closet, not just the primary one, and actually picture where specific belongings would go rather than assuming "it'll work itself out." The same goes for parking and garage space if you have more than one vehicle or plan to use the garage for storage rather than just cars.

How Many Homes Should I Actually Tour Before Making an Offer?

There's no fixed number, but a useful pattern I see with buyers who end up happy with their purchase: they've usually toured somewhere between five and ten homes before finding the right one, enough to build a genuine sense of comparison without dragging the search out so long that good listings slip away in a competitive market. If you're touring your first or second home ever, it's worth being honest with yourself about whether you actually have enough of a baseline yet to judge value, or whether a few more tours would sharpen your instincts first.

Bringing a simple checklist to every showing, even just notes on your phone, tends to help more than people expect, since homes start blurring together after the third or fourth tour in a single day.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is too old for a roof when touring a home? Most roofs last 20 to 25 years depending on the material. If a roof is approaching or past that range, it's worth asking directly about its age and budgeting for eventual replacement, which can run into five figures.

Should I check cell phone service when touring a home? Yes. Signal strength can vary significantly block by block, especially in more rural or wooded parts of Central Ohio, and it's an easy thirty-second check that's simple to overlook during a showing.

How old is a typical HVAC system, and when should I worry about it? Furnace and AC systems typically last 15 to 20 years. If a system is nearing that age, ask about maintenance records and factor a potential replacement, often several thousand dollars, into your overall budget.

How many homes should I tour before making an offer? There's no fixed number, but buyers who end up happy with their purchase typically tour five to ten homes first, enough to build genuine comparison without letting the search drag on so long that good listings slip away.

What's the most commonly overlooked detail during a home tour? Storage and closet space are consistently underestimated. Buyers tend to focus on obvious selling points like kitchens and primary bedrooms while skipping a real look at every closet and the garage's actual usable space.

Touring homes is genuinely one of the more fun parts of buying, but it's worth pairing that excitement with a clear-eyed checklist so the right details actually get noticed. And if you want a second set of eyes at your next showing, I'm always happy to help.

This content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. All real estate services are provided in compliance with Fair Housing laws, RESPA, TCPA, the REALTOR® Code of Ethics, and Ohio Real Estate Commission advertising regulations. Equal Housing Opportunity. Chrisi Hagan, Collins Lassiter Group, Red 1 Realty.