Realtor, Hans Brings, Explains What to Look for on Your Final Walk-Through

Aug. 13, 2013 - PRLog -- Most people who have bought or sold a home are familiar with the inspection process, which is a careful examination of the condition of the property conducted by a licensed professional. But of great importance to a home buyer as well is the final walk-through of the home prior to the final closing of the sale. This walk-through usually takes place anywhere from a few days to a few hours before closing. 

During the inspection, there may have been issues with your new home that were identified by the inspector and you likely made some sort of an agreement that the seller would be responsible for any major problems. When you do your walk-through, you’ll want to make certain these any repairs that the seller agreed to handle have been completed. These repairs will be listed in your purchase agreement and you can consult the agreement to make sure you are covering all your bases. If you need proof that the repair has been completed, ask to see receipts.

Additionally, before close, you’ll want to make sure no new problems have cropped up with the property. Here’s a checklist that will help you make the most of your final walk-through:

- Do the light fixtures work? Turn each fixture on and off to make sure there aren’t any electrical problems.

- Turn on ceiling fans as well as exhaust fans in the kitchen, bathrooms, and laundry area.

- Open and close all the windows and doors to make sure they are opening and latching properly. Check the locks to make sure they are functioning as well.

- Check every faucet – run water in the sinks, bathtubs, and showers, and flush the toilet to make certain it is working properly. Keep your eye out for any leaks or poor drainage.

- Test all appliances. Do all of the stove burners function? How about the oven? Are the refrigerator and freezer doing their jobs?  The washer and dryer?

- Check smoke detectors and make sure the batteries are operational.

- Turn on the heating and air conditioning and make sure they run without issue.

- Run the garbage disposal and trash compactor. Check to make sure that garage door remotes are in working order and the home security system is functional.

- Inspect ceilings, floors, and walls for any issues that weren’t previously present – new scratches, cracks, or water damage are important things to look for.

- Don’t forget to inspect the outside of the house for damage to siding, the roof, or the foundation, that wasn’t previously present.

- Make sure any trash has been removed from the property. Check the attic, basement, garage, and outside of the property to verify that nothing has been left behind.

- Account for all keys to the property, including outbuildings.

Finally, verify that any items the previously owners have agreed to leave in the sale (furnishings, fixtures, draperies, or appliances) are present on the premises. If you’re lucky, the seller will have cleaned the house thoroughly in addition to moving out belongings.

If you do find that there is a problem, contact your real estate agent immediately. He or she can help make sure that the issue addressed prior to closing. Since the sellers will be eager to close, you should be able to get any problems taken care of quickly.

By checking your new home thoroughly on a walk-through, you could end up saving yourself the headache of a previously unrevealed problem once the sale closes. A little up-front diligence will ensure that the home of your dreams is in move-in condition.

Contact: Jillian Gregoriou

Email: jillian@exposeyourselfpr.com

Tel: 617-797-9869