Home inspection in Rathbun.

Three things, mostly. First, seasonal-use systems: a house used part of the year has plumbing that gets drained and refilled, water heaters and fixtures that sit idle, and heating that may never have been run hard — all of which hides problems until occupancy changes. Second, water and waste: properties out here are typically on a private well and septic, and both get flagged for their own specialized evaluation, with the septic's drainfield location relative to the lake worth understanding. Third, the site itself — shoreline slope, erosion, retaining structures, docks, stairways and access drives. Rathbun Lake was authorized under the Flood Control Act of 1954, built from 1964 and dedicated in 1971, so the oldest lake-side houses are now more than fifty years old and get their services dated precisely.

Plan on two to three hours for an average home; larger, older or multi-unit properties run longer because there is simply more to document.