The final walk through is not an official inspection, it’s a change to go through the house to make sure everything is as it should be. It can be done a few days before the closing or just hours before. Many home owners are so excited about buying a home they don’t really go through the house. But even though it is a small step in the closing process, it is a vital part of the process, you have to stay focused and take note of everything especially things on your final checklist.
Some things you shouldn’t forget in this crucial step are:
1. Garbage disposal and exhaust fans. This is the time to check to make sure everything works. Check every light switch, outlet, sink, toilet and appliance to make sure they are all working properly. Two things most home buyers forget are to check the garbage disposal and the exhaust fans. Make sure you check their functionality especially since these will be to things used quiet often while in the kitchen.
2. Inspect the garage. The garage is part of the house and shouldn’t be over looked. Check to see if the garage door opener works, if other systems are located in the garage like the hot water heater or circuit breakers check them as well. If there are items left behind by the seller make sure you get them removed by the seller – you don’t want to clean up after the former owners before starting your new life in your new home.
3. Make sure the things you negotiated for are present and unchanged. Getting to the closing may have required lots of negotiations and requests on both sides. Use the final walk through to check to make sure any repairs that were negotiated were actually completed and to your satisfaction. If you negotiated that certain items like fixtures or a washer and dryer were to remain in the home, this is the time to check on that too. If they are not present, it can be a deal breaker.
4. Look out for any new damages. Doing the final walk through the day of the closing gives you the opportunity to check the house for damages you may not have seen with the seller’s personal items still in the house. The seller should be completely moved out by the time of the closing giving you more visibility of the house’s structure. There could also have been some damage done while the seller moved out, the repair for major damage can still be negotiated.
It’s important to be a detailed as possible during this final walk through especially if there are issues you want to discuss with the seller. Once you go to the closing and sign the final papers, the seller is no longer responsible for any issues with YOUR house.
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