Moisture is the big one

Bottom line: in the Lowcountry, moisture is enemy number one.

A lot of homes here sit on crawl spaces, and a damp crawl space leads to mold, wood rot, and that musty smell nobody wants. When you look at a home, check for a dry, well-vented or encapsulated crawl space, a working vapor barrier or dehumidifier, and floors that feel solid underfoot — no soft or springy spots.

Ask when the crawl space was last checked. A clean, dry one is a great sign. A wet one isn't a dealbreaker, but you'll want to know what it takes to fix it.

Termites and the CL-100

Bottom line: termites love a warm, damp climate — and ours qualifies.

In South Carolina, most home sales include a CL-100 — a wood infestation report done by a licensed inspector. It checks the home for termites and moisture damage.

Don't skip it. It's cheap peace of mind, and it can catch a problem that would cost you thousands if it went unnoticed. If the seller already has a recent one, read it closely and ask about anything it flags.

Drainage: where does the water go?

Bottom line: after a hard Summerville downpour, you want water running away from the house — not toward it.

Walk the yard before you buy. Look at:

• The grade — does the ground slope away from the foundation?
• Gutters and downspouts — are they there, and do they carry water away?
• Low spots where water pools after rain

Standing water near the foundation is a red flag worth chasing down. Good drainage protects the crawl space, the foundation, and your peace of mind.

Hurricane season, your roof, and insurance

Bottom line: storm season runs June through November, and it shapes both the house and your insurance bill.

Ask about the roof's age, whether the windows are impact-rated, and whether the home has wind-mitigation features. Those aren't just safety items — some of them can actually lower your insurance premium.

And know this: wind and flood are often separate coverage from your main homeowners policy. Find out what's covered and what isn't before you're depending on it.

HVAC and those summer energy bills

Bottom line: our summers are long, hot, and sticky — so the AC runs hard.

Check the age and size of the heating and cooling system. An old or undersized unit means high bills now and a replacement bill later. A newer, right-sized system that's been maintained is worth a lot.

Small thing that adds up: good shade trees on the south and west sides of a house can genuinely cut your cooling costs during the worst of the heat.

Trees and shade: friend and liability

Bottom line: the right trees are your friend; the wrong ones are a risk.

Mature shade trees cool the house and the yard and make a place feel like home. But keep an eye out for big trees leaning over the roof, or dead and heavy limbs — when storm season rolls in, those turn into a hazard fast. It's worth asking who's responsible for trimming and removal, especially near power lines.