Your Final Walk-Through
When you buy a house, you’ll do a final walk-through of the property in the days or hours before closing. This is a critical step in the homebuying process, as it gives you one last chance to assess the condition of the house before signing on the dotted line. Attention to detail is paramount.
As you approach your closing day, here’s what you’ll want to consider as you walk through the home.
1. Repairs
If you asked the Seller to make certain repairs after the inspection, you’ll want to make sure they were completed adequately. If they weren’t, you might want to delay the closing, or ask for credits from the Sellers to make up for it.
2. Functional Systems
Do the electric, HVAC, and plumbing systems work properly? Turn on all the lights, adjust the thermostat, flush the toilets, and run each faucet. You’ll want to be sure all systems are working before finalizing your purchase.
3. Seller Belongings
The home should be clean and clear of all the previous owner’s belongings - except for items included in the sale. Anything left behind will need to be removed before you move into the property.
4. Fixtures and Chattels
Double-check your sales contract about all the extras that were agreed upon. For instance, did you negotiate with the Seller to leave their TV mounts, or washer and dryer? Are they there? Are they functional?
Snap photos during the final walk-through as well, particularly if you spot anything that wasn’t repaired, or needs to be removed. Pictures can be shown to the Seller’s agent when addressing these issues.
Please contact us if you have any questions about homebuying, or other real estate needs.
