Healthy Home Showing Guide

Before you go

The location

Check the neighborhood from your phone or laptop before the showing. Each free tool takes a few minutes.

Air

Poor outdoor air quality can affect allergies, sleep, and health.

Check current and historical air quality (PM2.5, ozone). AirNow.gov Look for Annual PM2.5 under 9 µg/m³ (the EPA standard). Avoid areas with frequent unhealthy AQI days, especially for sensitive groups.

Water

Tap water quality varies by city, and older pipes can add contaminants.

See what’s in the water by ZIP code. EWG Tap Water Database Look for Contaminant levels well below legal limits. Look for low nitrates, lead, and PFAS.
Check exposure to PFAS “forever chemicals.” Minnesota Dept. of Health maps

Soil & Ground

Some neighborhoods sit near industrial sites, contaminated soil, or flood zones.

Look for nearby toxic cleanup sites. EPA Superfund sites Look for More than ½ mile from Superfund sites and landfills.
Check the radon risk for the area. Minnesota Radon Risk Map Look for Lower-risk areas are a plus, but radon varies house to house. Always test the home itself.
Check flood zones, especially near lakes and rivers. FEMA Flood Map Service Center Look for Outside mapped flood zones.

EMFs

Cell towers, antennas, and power lines can add to EMF exposure.

Find nearby cell towers and antennas. AntennaSearch.com Look for Ideally more than 500 feet from major cell towers or clusters. Fewer antennas nearby is better.

Light

Some homes get too little daytime light and too much artificial light at night.

See how sunlight hits the home through the day. SunCalc.org Look for Bright natural daylight in the main living areas.
Check night sky brightness. LightPollutionMap.info Look for Darker skies mean less light pollution. Look for low glare from streetlights, signs, and neighbors to support sleep.

Nature & Noise

A home’s surroundings also shape health and happiness.

Check for traffic, airport, and train noise. Noise-Map.com Look for Outdoors under 55 dB(A) in the day and under 40 dB(A) at night.
See how walkable the neighborhood is. Walk Score Look for Walking access to groceries, parks, trails, and daily necessities.
Rate access to nature and parks. NatureScore Look for Green space close by.

At the showing

Use your senses

Don’t just look at finishes and square footage. Walk each room and notice how the home feels, smells, and handles water.

Comfort & Air

Walk into each room and feel the temperature. Are some rooms much hotter or colder than others?
Look for vents in every room and check that air is flowing.
Notice musty, chemical, or stale odors. They can point to mold, VOCs, or poor ventilation.

Moisture

Check for signs of water damage around windows and on ceilings.
Run your hand along exterior walls and window sills. Cool, clammy surfaces can mean hidden moisture.
Look under sinks for leaks, mold, or water stains.
In the basement, look for water lines, white mineral deposits on walls, or a dehumidifier working hard.

Water

Run faucets and showers. Note water clarity and smell (chlorine, sulfur, etc.).

Disclosures

What to read and ask

Before you buy, review the seller’s disclosure statement for these health-related risks, and ask the listing agent what it doesn’t cover.

In the disclosure

History of water intrusion (roof leaks, basement leaks, plumbing failures).
Visible mold or past mold remediation.
Lead-based paint (a required disclosure for homes built before 1978).
Known asbestos in insulation, floor tiles, siding, ductwork, etc.
Radon test results, and whether a mitigation system is installed and working.
History of termites, carpenter ants, mice, bats, or other infestations.
Buried fuel tanks, soil contamination, or nearby landfills.
HVAC and ventilation system condition and maintenance history.

Ask the listing agent

Is the home on a private well or city water? When was the water last tested?
Has the main sewer line been scoped or replaced? Older homes often have clay lines.
When was the chimney last inspected or swept?
How old are the roof, furnace, and water heater?

After Your Offer

Your offer is in. Now the inspection matters most.

The inspection period is your window to understand the home before you commit. Ours goes beyond a standard visual inspection, with thermal imaging, a moisture assessment, and a certified radon test, so you know exactly what you’re buying.

Explore Our Inspection

This guide is a starting point for buyers and agents, not a substitute for a professional home inspection. Targets are general guidelines.