Five things to check before you tour a home in the south suburbs

Touring homes is the fun part. A few minutes of homework first means you spend that Saturday on the right ones. Here are five things worth checking before you drive out, drawn from what actually trips buyers up around here.

1. Well and septic vs. municipal

Plenty of homes in the outer south suburbs — parts of Homer Glen, Lockport, and the unincorporated stretches — are on a private well and septic rather than municipal water and sewer. Neither is bad, but they change your maintenance and your inspection. If the listing doesn't say, ask before you fall for the kitchen.

2. The real tax line

Pull up the property tax amount on the listing and read it as a monthly number. Two homes at the same price can differ by hundreds a month depending on the district and the exemptions the current owner has. It's the single easiest thing to overlook and the one that changes your budget most.

3. Flood and drainage

Some pockets sit low, and a heavy spring can tell you a lot. Check whether the home is in a FEMA flood zone (it affects insurance), and on the tour, look at grading around the foundation and any water marks in the basement. Photos never show standing water.

4. What's actually staying

Listings vary on what conveys. Appliances, the shed, the playset, that mounted TV — confirm what's included before you build a mental picture of the place fully furnished. It's a common closing-week surprise.

5. Teardown vs. established

In a few areas you'll see new builds going up next to smaller original homes. That's not a problem, but it tells you about the block's trajectory and sometimes about lot values. If a home is priced oddly high for its size, the lot may be the story.

None of this replaces a tour or an inspection — it just makes sure the homes you tour are the ones worth your time. Want a second set of eyes? A dwello agent can pull the tax history, the flood status, and the well/septic details on anything you're eyeing before you go.