Oh oh that smell... Can you smell that smell? Yes the final walk through I covered for an out of town associate really paid off. 
I had just finished telling the homebuyer that there is normally nothing to worry about when we pulled up to the house. Of course it was not shoveled after the snow of the day before but hey no biggy we climbed over the piles left by the plows and went inside. The first thing we saw was that there was a huge bag of trash in the kitchen, ut oh. The tour of each room revealed that the family members who were supposed to leave us a broom swept home and take out all of Grandma's stuff had failed. Not just little things either there was a mattress, a pool table, old appliances that were not part of the deal! Oh my! I documented each room with my camera for the client as we went through.
We opened the door basement and I could tell right away that something was wrong. A STRONG smell of oil floated up the stairs. Wait a minute the furnace was supposed to have been repaired and serviced per the contract. Well it was per the tag on the furnace but oil was dripping on the floor through a fitting. There was a puddle on the floor of oil and drips were continuing to fall. Luckily we were able to negotiate compensation for the junk and the furnace will be repaired by the company who originally inspected and repaired it incorrectly.
A final walk through is vital to the purchase of a property be it a resale or a new construction. People can fail to complete negotiated repairs. They can as in this case not completely clean out the property. Things can always happen during the move out process that might damage walls or windows. New construction homes can be left incomplete or with construction mess laying around. So don't skip the Final Walk Through.
A Buyer's Representative will assist you throughout the entire process of finding a home and will make sure you get what you are paying for. If you are looking for homes in the Greater Hudson Valley or Catskill Regions of New York's Orange, Ulster, or Sullivan Counties, give me a call, a text, or and email today!
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate
Paddy, this is a great story and it really shows the worth of a Realtor. These are just some of the follow throughs we perform to make sure the buyer get's what he bargained for without unpleasant and costly surprises.
Dec 10, 2009 11:31 PM
Howard Hanna Real Estate Services - Solon, OH
Luxury Home Specialists
Paddy, we agree that a final walk through is very important to buyers. As you mentioned, most times there are no problems, but in the event there is, it is certainly much easier dealing with them prior to closing. Once a home transfers, there is less recourse and it is much more difficult to get the seller to cooperate.
Dec 10, 2009 11:33 PM
WFG NATIONAL TITLE INSURANCE COMPANY - Flagstaff, AZ
The Extra Mile Is Part Of My Regular Route!
Paddy,
I would be embarrassed to leave a place like that, what are some people thinking? ?
Dec 10, 2009 11:35 PM
Affordable Canadian Home Inspections - Hamilton, ON
Have your inspections performed the Wright Way
I've had the same things happen, though after a tennant has left who per the lease is supposed to leave the property as it was before they moved in. Rotten food in the fridge, cooked fish dinner still sitting there on the kitchen table with a nice helping of 1" thick fuzzy green mold for desert. Luckily I have a live in superintendant and had him clean the apartment for me. Though I'll never see the fee I paid him extra to do the clean up back in my pocket
Dec 10, 2009 11:38 PM
Allen Tate - Concord, NC
I just completed one yesterday and in doing so learned of a client that had the church remove her piano to save cost andt the rolled it across her hardwoods. Get the picture
shelton
Dec 11, 2009 12:18 AM
Beasley Realty - Pullman, WA
Realtor - 509-330-0086 - Pullman, WA
Paddy,
Guess you lived up to your tag line...I bet your clients were happy they worked with you!
Dec 11, 2009 01:11 AM
KW Hometown - Mantua, NJ
Helping You Home
2 months ago I had clients who showed up early for their walk through only to find the seller's taking/exchanging items in the house that weren't theirs and/or the right appliance (trying to change good washer with crappy one). That was a very interesting 3.5 hour settlement with buyer and seller in opposite rooms.
Dec 11, 2009 02:05 AM
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher
Paddy, Years ago on a home we purchased, I don't know if they had a final walk through. We didn't do it if they allowed it. So many things like the custom window treatments that were promised to stay were gone :( Thank you for teaching others not to learn the hard way!
Dec 11, 2009 12:49 PM
Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty - Pine Bush, NY
Real Estate Associate Broker Hudson Valley NY
Thanks Gabe. It is important to do the walkthrough and without your own agent you may not be aware of how important it can be
So true Amy and Dan. It is a problem if the closing occurs and they have the money in hand already.
Some people don't care Paul. It is amazing what I have seen.
It is amazing but some people just don't think they are obligated to do those things isn't it Al? That is what security is for though. I always take more than one month so they can't simply overstay the security
Ouch Shelton that is a BIG problem.
I hope so Lori but in this case it will be my teammate who was off on a cruise in the warm sun who benefited as they were her clients.
Oh the old switcheroo Steve. I have seen it myself and it is one of the reasons for a walk through.
You are welcome Carole. Have a great weekend.
Dec 11, 2009 10:46 PM
Brightside Realty, LLC - Austin, TX
I've rarely had a problem with the home not being ready to go and typically don't do walk-throughs. In Texas, the seller is still liable after closing if the house isn't left in the same condition as it was at time of contract (or if they didn't do repairs required by the contract). I hope we don't start having problems like this one in the future! Thanks for the warning.
Dec 13, 2009 07:22 AM
Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty - Pine Bush, NY
Real Estate Associate Broker Hudson Valley NY
The seller here is obligated to perform what is written in the contract here too Dianne but it is easier to fix a problem before the money has changed hands. Wishing you continued luck.
Dec 13, 2009 09:31 PM
Rainmaker
343,495
343,495
Paddy (Patricia) Pizappi
Real Estate Associate Broker Hudson Valley NY
Service Areas
Real Estate Resources
Recent Posts
Home Buying
over 6 years ago
Home Buying
over 7 years ago
ActiveRain Community
over 7 years ago
My blog will deal with working with buyers, my life as a mother of 3 teenagers and how to fit real estate into the other aspects of my world. I will also speak on volunteer efforts to assist my community
Comments(11)