Start at the curb
After a snowfall, look at how you would actually use the property. Walk the route from the garage or parking spot to the door. Where could you put shoveled snow without blocking a sidewalk or sightline? If the driveway slopes, ask where meltwater goes. For a townhome, ask the association which walks, driveways and entrances it clears.
Check comfort room by room
Spend time in an upstairs bedroom, a room over the garage and the basement. Note obvious drafts and uneven temperatures, then ask about the heating system’s age, service history and past winter utility bills. Compare bills with similar occupancy in mind. Ask an inspector to investigate persistent temperature differences or moisture around windows.
Ask what snow is covering
Snow can hide the roof surface, grading and areas along the foundation. Look for visible water stains indoors and ask about prior leaks, ice dams and sump pump history. If part of the property is inaccessible, ask what your inspection can cover now and what follow-up the inspector recommends.
Keep observations separate from questions
Record the room, what you observed and who can verify it. For example, write “cold back bedroom, ask inspector about air leakage” instead of assuming the furnace needs replacement. Compare those notes across showings before deciding what needs investigation before an offer.