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6 Things to Include On Your Final Walkthrough List
Make Sure You're Getting the Home You Purchased
You've hammered out a deal and aced the mortgage qualification, inspection, and appraisal. Next comes the walkthrough, then the closing and you're officially a homeowner.
Instead of contemplating your new living room color scheme or planning your first cookout, our real estate agents urge you to slip into detective mode. We've listed five things to include on your final walkthrough list:
Before You Go
Bring your sales contract to remind you of any agreements or concessions. Take along any photos you took during previous inspections. Also, grab a camera, notepad, and pen to document questionable findings and list items to address before you settle.
Bring a flashlight to view dark spaces. If you wear glasses, bring them too. You won't want to miss anything. Long before your final walkthrough, coordinate shut-off/turn-on services with utility companies. You'll need water, gas, and power to verify system functionality.
- Look for Damage or Changes
Expect movers to leave behind a few dings and dents. Document anything bigger than minor damage: holes in the wall, loose rails, ripped carpeting, damaged floors, damage from appliance removal.
Investigate any damage revealed after the seller moved their furniture. Document the absence of light fixtures, built-ins, and other permanent fixtures the owner removed without a specific agreement. - Verify Agreement Items
As you walkthrough, review your contract and photos for agreed repairs, upgrades, and concessions. Make sure they've been completed. If your purchase included furniture, window treatments or other items, be sure they're in place. - Check Cleanliness
Of course, you'll do your own move-in cleaning. You should still expect the seller to do a thorough exit cleaning. Check over, under and inside appliances, cabinets, closets, and storage spaces. Look inside the refrigerator, stove, bathroom fixtures, and garbage disposals for aging organic debris. Address excessively dirty conditions with the seller's agent. - Test Appliance Functionality
If the seller removed an appliance, check your contract to make sure removal wasn't a last-minute concession. If the refrigerator is off, turn it on and give it time to cool. Check the stove burners and turn on the oven to heat. Run the dishwasher, trash compactor, and other appliances long enough to make sure they work. - Check Home Systems
Turn on the air conditioner when you walk in the door. Once you verify it's operational, do the same with your heating system. Check outlets, switches, bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans, circuit breakers, and any other electrical fixtures. Make sure the owners left behind any remotes that control your home systems
Inspect all plumbing systems. Make sure toilets flush, drains are clean and clear, and water runs from all faucets and showers. Do a visual and a "sniff" test for mold and mildew.
Check the security system if you can. The security company won't likely transfer ownership to you until you take control of the property. - Exterior Walkaround
Make sure the seller maintained the landscaping and yard. Verify that they didn't remove the flowers, shrubs, and trees that gave the home such great curb appeal.
Check doors and windows for opening and closing difficulties. Try locks and latches. Make sure the garage door opens properly when you engage the remote. If there were portable storage units or service sheds in the yard, make sure they're still in place.
You shouldn't navigate the home-buying process alone. Contact Wagner Realty to get started.
