What to watch for when you do your final walk through
If you are buying a home and are getting ready to finalize the deal, make sure you know what to watch for during the final walk through. It is important that you know all the information you need before you agree to buy the house. Once you buy it, it's yours, no matter what the condition is or the problems you find after. Here is what to watch for when you do your final walk through.
A final walk through is an inspection performed before closing on the house. This is usually done anywhere from a few hours to five days before. Its main purpose is to make sure that the property is in the condition you agreed to buy it in. You make sure that agreed upon repairs were made and nothing has gone wrong with the home since you last looked at it. Also check to see if all the items that the seller agreed to leave have not been removed, and that all items that the seller agreed to remove are gone. Always, always do the final walk through!
There are a number of different things to watch for when you do your final walk through. To make sure you cover everything, here is a list of items to check on a final walk through:
Turn on and off every light fixture
You want to make sure that the light fixtures work and that there aren't any serious electrical problems.
Run water & look under sinks for leaks
If you see water damage under sinks, on floor boards, or on the wall, there may be a leaking or broken pipe that is seriously damaging the house structure.
Test all appliances
You don't want to move into a home where the stove or fridge doesn't work and you don't figure it out until you bought groceries and are trying to cook your first meal. Appliances should be in good functioning condition.
Check garage door openers
If they don't work, it could just be batteries, but if the door is broken then that is another expense you could get stuck with.
Open and close all doors and windows
Make sure all doors and windows fit correctly and hinges work properly.
Flush toilets
See if the plumbing works. The last thing you want to have to do is re-plumb the whole house.
Attic and basements or crawl spaces
Look for discarded items and potential problem areas.
Inspect ceilings, wall and floors
Check for any damage that may have happened when the sellers moved or that may not have been obvious when you looked at the home the first time.
Run garbage disposal and exhaust fans
Sometimes these things don't work because bad wiring, which could be potentially dangerous and costly.
Test heating and air conditioning
Again, this is a way to see if all units and wiring are working correctly.
Look at the exterior
Check the condition of windows, doors, sprinklers, gutters, and landscaping
If the home has been vacant, get if checked for bugs, water damage or any other major problems that could have arose when it was sitting empty. If the homeowner happens to still be there when you do the walk through this is an opportune time to ask any questions about the home.
Take your time completing the walk-through. You do not want to be in a rush and miss something significant. As you inspect, make a checklist of any issues that still need to be resolved in order to meet the conditions in your contract. Bring this list to the seller's attention and work out a deal that is acceptable to you. Try not to do your walk-through alone. This way you can have someone else that can remind you of anything you might miss.
You should get everything squared away before you close. Remember, it is not uncommon for buyers and sellers to agree on an amount of money to be held in escrow for repairs and other things that should be completed after closing. You should also consult your attorney or other closing agent for advice on this and other options that are available and best for you.
The final walk-through is a crucial step in buying a home. Always take your time and look for anything that needs addressed. Taking time will ensure that you get everything handled before you move in. Remember to follow the list of what to watch for when you do the final walk through.
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