Guide · 6 min read · Updated 2026-06-04
Self-Guided Townhome Tour Checklist — What to Look For
A 25-minute tour can save you months of frustration. Here's the checklist we wish every renter used before signing a lease.
The five-minute smell and sound test
Walk in and breathe deeply. Lingering odors from previous tenants, pets, or smoking are hard to remove. Listen for neighbor noise — shared walls in townhomes are less of an issue than apartments, but listen for highway noise, barking dogs, or loud HVAC units outside.
Plumbing and water pressure
Turn on every faucet. Check hot water delivery time. Flush every toilet. Look under sinks for leaks or water stains. Low pressure or slow hot water are red flags in older buildings. In new construction like Marina Shore Villas, this shouldn't be an issue — but check anyway.
HVAC and insulation
Ask when the HVAC was installed or last serviced. Check window seals and door weatherstripping. In Moses Lake's climate, poor insulation means $200+ monthly utility bills in summer and winter. New construction wins here.
Parking and storage
Count the parking spaces. Measure them if you have a truck or SUV. Check closet depth — shallow closets are a common disappointment. Ask about any additional storage.
The questions most people forget
Who handles maintenance and how fast? What's the average utility bill for this unit? Are there any planned construction or renovations? What's the cell signal like inside? These answers matter more than the paint color.
Ready to tour? Marina Shore Villas offers self-guided drive-bys and in-person unit tours 7 days a week.
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