The final walkthrough is usually the last step before heading to closing when buying a home. It gives you one last review of what you are buying to make sure it is ready for you… in the same condition as when you signed the purchase agreement, or even better if the seller agreed to complete some repairs before closing.
Some things to check for…
- Verify that items the seller agreed to leave are there and that everything else (including all personal belongings) have been removed
- Sometimes the buyer agrees to purchase some personal property from the seller… this is when you confirm those items are there and take care of agreed-upon payment (check, Venmo, etc)
- Check drawers, cabinets, shelves, closets, etc. for items the sellers may have accidentally overlooked and left behind
- This is very common, and your agent can inform the seller’s agent if anything was left behind
- In the house in the photo above, the seller left behind a hand-painted saw hanging on one of the floor joists in the basement!
- Check that no damage took place while the seller was moving out and that the house has had a light cleaning (swept or vacuumed and isn’t excessively dirty)
- If there are concerns, come to an agreement with the seller on how it will be remedied
- If the seller agreed to fix some things, you should have already received receipts and lien waivers for work performed, but this is when you get to see it for yourself
- Depending on when and how much work was done, sometimes an early walkthrough is advisable so there are no surprises on closing day
- Check that all debris inside and outside has been removed per your purchase agreement
- If not, come to an agreement on how it will be handled
- Check for garage door openers, keys, instruction manuals for mechanicals and appliances
- Get code for separate garage door key panel if there is one
- Ask about garbage/recycling pickup and procedures, as well as other contracted services outside standard utilities
- Test garage door openers, faucets, toilets and showers/tubs, hot water, appliances, drains properly draining
- Keep in mind this is not an inspection, just a check to make sure things are working as they should so there are no surprises when you move in
- If you do your final walkthrough before closing day and there is a storm after your walkthrough, check to make sure there is no storm damage
Basically, in your final walkthrough you are looking for completion of repairs, cleanliness, any changes in the condition of the property since your purchase agreement, presence of items included in the sale and removal of items not included.
Bottom line is, the final walkthrough is important because this is where you confirm what you are buying!
Most of the time everything goes smoothly and you simply proceed to closing… where you sign papers, transfer your funds (either via check or pre-arranged online wire transfer), and get the keys to your new home! (Plan to get locks re-keyed… you never know how many spare keys are out there!)
Sharlene Hensrud, RE/MAX Results – shensrud@homesmsp.com