The final walk-through of your new home is an exciting event. It means that negotiations, inspections and financial approval are successfully completed. Now, it’s almost time to sign the closing papers! Most buyers attend the final walk-through with thoughts of furniture placement and paint colors in their heads. But the walk-through is about more than just making sure a favorite chair fits by the fireplace. Now is the time to check all the due diligence items to ensure that there are no issues that need to be resolved before closing. The purpose of the final walk-through is to ascertain that the home is being conveyed in the same condition as when the purchase and sale were agreed upon. Here are a few of the things to check:
1) Make sure no damage has occurred to the home that the sellers are responsible for repairing.
Weather conditions or careless movers can cause accidental damage to a home. A final walk-through is an excellent opportunity to confirm the house is in the same condition as when the offer was accepted. Also, when the seller’s belongings are removed, old and forgotten damage may be uncovered. This is the final chance to walk-through before taking ownership.
2) Check that appliances are still in working order and no new plumbing or electrical issues have popped up.
While a walk-through is not a complete home inspection, it’s a chance to visually check for obvious problems. Anything found should be repaired before moving in. Between the date, the contract is signed and the time of possession accidents and home repair issues can occur.
3) Confirm that items contractually conveying are present.
If the sellers agreed to leave particular furniture or equipment, the final walk-through is a perfect time to see that it has not been removed. Also check that all appliances in the contract, attached lighting fixtures, and window treatments are still intact.
4) Make certain the sellers have removed all their belongings.
Arrive with the moving truck only to find out that the sellers left behind unwanted furniture or trash can be frustrating. During the walk through is a good idea to check cupboards and closets to make sure things weren’t forgotten. The sellers should be held responsible for removing everything that doesn’t convey with the sale.
5.) Check inspection issues.
The final walk-through is a time to check items agreed upon in the inspection response. The seller should provide receipts for any repairs, but it’s still important to get eyes on the repairs to confirm they were done and done correctly.
If a final walk-through reveals issues, the best way to resolve these is to have your real estate professional reach out to the listing agent. Making a list of the problems to give the agent and see if they can work out an acceptable resolution. If this doesn’t work, it’s time to consult the contract and worst case scenario seek legal advice.
The final walk-through is your last opportunity to ensure the home is in the expected condition and all agreed upon repairs have been made. Click here to get your copy of the final walk-through checklist. Also check out these 7 mistakes to avoid when buying a house or the these 4 things to do before moving in.
