Quick Answer: Before buying a home in Winston-Salem, look beyond the home’s appearance and check the property’s condition, roof and major systems, crawlspace or basement, drainage and flood risk, neighborhood and traffic, HOA rules, planned road projects, and (when applicable) septic and private-well systems. Your due-diligence period is the time to investigate these issues and determine whether the property is right for you.

Buying a home is about much more than finding a house you love.

A property can look great during a showing and still have issues that aren’t obvious until you dig a little deeper. That’s especially true in Winston-Salem, where homes vary significantly by age, lot, construction style, neighborhood, and whether they’re connected to municipal utilities or rely on systems such as septic and private wells.

Before making an offer, and especially once you’re under contract, it’s important to look beyond the things you can see.

1. Check the Home’s Overall Condition

Start with the basics.

Look carefully at the age and condition of the home’s major components, including:

• • Roof
  • HVAC system
  • Water heater
  • Electrical system
  • Plumbing
  • Windows and doors
  • Foundation
  • Exterior siding and drainage

Ask when major systems were installed or replaced and look for documentation when possible.

A recently renovated kitchen may make a home feel brand new, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the roof, HVAC system, or other major components are new too.

2. Pay Close Attention to the Crawlspace or Basement

This is particularly important in North Carolina. If the home has a crawlspace, look for signs of moisture, standing water, damaged wood, inadequate ventilation, drainage problems, or pest activity.

If it has a basement, pay attention to:

• • Water intrusion
  • Musty odors
  • Cracks
  • Drainage
  • Ceiling height
  • Signs of previous repairs

Don’t assume that because a space is unfinished, it’s unimportant. Problems in areas you don’t use every day can become expensive problems later.

3. Investigate Flood and Drainage Risk

Don’t rely solely on what you see during a showing. A property doesn’t have to be directly beside a river to have drainage or flooding concerns. Investigate the property’s flood zone, surrounding drainage, topography, and history of water problems. It’s also worth asking whether the property or surrounding area has experienced flooding in the past.

For a broader look at property-specific issues buyers should investigate, see our guide to Hidden Risks of Buying a Home in Winston-Salem.

4. Check the Roof Before You Fall in Love With the House

A newer-looking interior doesn’t tell you much about the roof.

Ask:

• • How old is the roof?
  • When was it last replaced?
  • Who installed it?
  • Are there permits or documentation?
  • Does the roof show signs of wear?
  • Will your homeowners insurance cover it?

Roof age can also affect your insurance options and costs, so this is something to investigate before you get too far into the buying process.

5. Listen to the Neighborhood

One of the easiest mistakes buyers make is evaluating a property at only one time of day. A home can seem peaceful during a weekend showing and feel very different during weekday rush hour.

Visit the property at different times and pay attention to:

• • Traffic
  • Road noise
  • Nearby businesses
  • Train noise
  • School traffic
  • Construction
  • Neighborhood activity

If the property backs up to a busy road, don’t assume you’ll get used to the noise.

Want to take a closer look at this issue? Learn how to check for traffic and road noise before buying a home in Winston-Salem.

6. Look at What May Change Around the Property

You’re not just buying the house as it exists today. Check what’s planned for the surrounding area.

Look into proposed road improvements, development, commercial projects, and other changes that could affect traffic, noise, access, or the character of the neighborhood. A quiet road today may not stay that way forever.

7. Read the HOA Documents

If the home is in an HOA, don’t rely on the listing description or what the seller tells you about the neighborhood rules.

Review the governing documents and look for restrictions involving:

• • Exterior improvements
  • Fences
  • Parking
  • Landscaping
  • Rentals
  • Renovations
  • Solar panels
  • Pets
  • Special assessments

Also ask about pending assessments, recent disputes, and enforcement issues. The HOA may be perfectly reasonable, or it may have rules that don’t fit the way you want to use your property.

8. Check the Garage and Home Layout

The way a home functions day to day matters just as much as how it looks. For example, some 1990s homes in Winston-Salem have basement-level garages because builders used the area’s rolling terrain to their advantage.

That isn’t necessarily a problem, but consider how many stairs you’ll use, how groceries get from the garage to the kitchen, and whether the layout will work for you long term.

For a deeper look at this particular Winston-Salem home style, see our guide to 1990s homes with basement garages in Winston-Salem.

9. Find Out Whether the Home Uses Septic or a Private Well

If you’re buying outside areas served by municipal utilities, find out whether the property relies on a septic system, private well, or both. If it does, don’t skip the specialized inspections and testing.

A septic system can appear to function normally while still having problems, and private well water should be tested for quality and other concerns. These are issues that are much easier to investigate before you buy than after you move in.

10. Don’t Skip Specialized Inspections

A standard home inspection is important, but it isn’t necessarily the end of your due diligence.

Depending on the property, you may want additional inspections or evaluations for:

• • Roof
  • Crawlspace
  • Septic system
  • Private well
  • Structural concerns
  • Chimney
  • Termites or other wood-destroying insects
  • Radon
  • Other issues identified during the inspection

Your inspection results can help you determine which additional investigations make sense for the specific property.

Your Winston-Salem Home-Buying Checklist

Before moving forward with a property, ask yourself:

• • What is the condition of the major systems?
  • How old is the roof?
  • Is there moisture or drainage trouble?
  • What does the crawlspace or basement look like?
  • Is the property exposed to flood risk?
  • How much traffic and noise does the property receive?
  • Are there planned developments or road projects nearby?
  • What does the HOA allow and restrict?
  • Does the home have a septic system or private well?
  • Do I need any specialized inspections?
  • Will the property still work for me several years from now?

The goal isn’t to find a house with absolutely nothing wrong with it. The goal is to understand the property’s strengths, weaknesses, costs, and potential risks before you commit to buying it.

Buying a Home in Winston-Salem? Know What to Look For

The right home isn’t necessarily the newest, most updated, or most visually impressive one. It’s the home where you understand the property’s strengths, weaknesses, costs, and potential risks before you buy.

If you’re house hunting in Winston-Salem or throughout the Piedmont Triad, The Ginther Group can help you evaluate the property, neighborhood, and details that could affect your purchase both now and in the future.