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Homebuyers Guide--Essential Checklist for a Final Walkthrough

By
Real Estate Agent with Boardman Realty Minnesota License#90858

Magnified House by Teri Eckholm RealtorWith the tax credit timeline to close coming up quickly, there are going to be many closings on properties for first time homebuyers in the next few weeks. Before the closing, there is one essential step that must be taken with your REALTOR®: The Final WalkThrough.

A few days before closing, your agent will call to schedule the date and time of the final walk-through. Don't get caught up with thinking, "This is great! I needed to check the paint color in the bedroom and measure the windows for blinds." That is not what the final walk-through is for. This is the last opportunity for you to see the home prior to closing. It is an appointment not to be missed or glossed over. It is a time to stay focused on your investment and examine the condition of the property one last time.

The purchase agreement that you signed in the state of Minnesota requires the seller to warrant that the central air conditioning, heating, plumbing and wiring systems on the property are in working order on the date of closing. It also insures the buyer the right to a "walk-through" review of the property prior to closing. This is not something to forego.

Awhile back there was a news report of a St Paul couple who made a huge mistake when they skipped the final walk through of their new home. They headed to their new home, keys in hand with all of their belongings in the moving van, directly to their new home after they signed their closing documents. Their intentions were to move right in and begin enjoying their dream home, Instead they arrived to find a nightmare.

Sometime since they first saw the home and the time they drove up with the keys, a pipe had burst and flooded the entire home. Water poured into the house for several days and they found a virtual indoor swimming pool instead of a home. This young couple had considered the final walk-through unnecessary since they had just seen the home a few weeks ago. "What could have changed?" was their misguided thinking.

Now they were the proud but frustrated owners of a huge mess. Although they may have legal remedies for having the home repaired, these buyers would have been in a much better position if they negotiated with the seller prior to signing the closing documents. Or in the case of this extreme damage, the buyers could have refused to sign and not purchase the home.

It is imperative that every buyer do a final walk-through on the property they intend to purchase as close to the closing as possible. I suggest to my clients that we schedule the walk-through an hour or two before the closing appointment. We meet at the home to review the condition of the property and then go directly to the closing. If any problems are noted, I immediately contact the seller's agent via cell phone so he/she will have time to discuss the situation with the seller and determine alternatives to address the issues.

The walk-through just prior to closing doesn't eliminate every surprise that a new buyer might face. But it significantly reduces the chance of closing on an unknown disaster. Here is a quick guide of some of the areas to consider during a final walk through:

Final Walk-Through Guide

Double Check the Paperwork
**Are all work orders complete? Are you satisfied with the results?

Exterior Review
**Check for any changes to exterior since purchase agreement.

Plumbing Review
**Flush all toilets.
**Check all faucets for water pressure and temperature.
**Check operation of all appliances

Interior Rooms Review
**Check for any changes to interior since purchase agreement.

Electrical Review
**Check all lights, outlets, bathroom fans and kitchen fans.

Furnace and Air Conditioning Review
**Check operation of all systems.

Attic and Basement Review
**Check for changes in any stained, damp or wet areas.

The final walkthrough should be done with a complete checklist and organized plan. After a review of the home inside and out with a checklist will get you back to exciting part of that final walk-through...Will the couch look better here or there?

NEED A COMPLETE CHECKLIST? CLICK HERE for The Final Walkthrough Checklist at terieckholm.com .

Posted by

Teri Eckholm. REALTOR with Boardman Realty, is a native Minnesotan who has lived and worked in the Minneapolis St Paul metro all of her life. She specializes in lakeshore homes, acreage properties and first time home buyers but assists anyone making a move in the north and east Twin Cities metro.

If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR®, give Teri , a call or visit her website for a FREE Home Buyer Success Guide or FREE Home Value Report She specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

Copyright 2019 terieckholm.com

 

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Comments (36)

Ted Tyndall
Davidson Realty Inc. - Saint Augustine, FL
I will help You find the Home YOU want to Buy

Teri, great advice. I cannot imagine missing a final walk through.

May 13, 2010 10:30 AM
Duane Murphy
Expert Real Estate Partners LLC - Appleton, WI
Broker- Owner-Real Estate -

I ALWAYS do final walk through! I can't imagine why anyone would not!

May 13, 2010 10:54 AM
Cameron Wilson
Labrum Real Estate - Murrieta, CA
The Short Guy - Murrieta,Temecula,Menifee Californ

In California we do not go to the closing table so the Final Walk Through is done a few days prior to closing. Good list I might add.

May 13, 2010 12:47 PM
Eric Michael
Remerica Integrity, Realtors®, Northville, MI - Livonia, MI
Metro Detroit Real Estate Professional 734.564.1519

Good stuff. I closed on a house yesterday and it rained buckets all day today. Just got a call saying the basement was leaking. Even when you can get deals done, there's always something.

May 13, 2010 02:16 PM
Jeanean Gendron
The Address Realty - Redding, CA
Specializing in Selling Unique Properties

Teresa, great info and the basics for sure. Thanks for a great post! The Devil is IN the Details!

May 13, 2010 03:15 PM
Stephanie Villani
Prudential Gardner, Realtors - Mandeville, LA

Great advice!  And thanks for the excellent list!

May 13, 2010 03:25 PM
Linda Hinson
S & L Properties - Calabash, NC

I can't imagine any buyer not wanting to do a final walk through on such a large purchase but of course, they do.

May 13, 2010 03:27 PM
Cheryl Ritchie
RE/MAX Leading Edge www.GoldenResults.com - Huntingtown, MD
Southern Maryland 301-980-7566

I had one closing on the Eastern Shore over an hour from the settlement location. When we arrived, the basement was submerged in water. Walk thrus are important!

May 13, 2010 03:42 PM
Marchel Peterson
Results Realty - Spring, TX
Spring TX Real Estate E-Pro

Teri, Excellent advice!  I had a bad experience once by not having that final inspection and I now always make sure it happens. 

May 13, 2010 04:08 PM
BethAnn Long
RE/MAX of Spokane - Spokane, WA
Realtor, CRS, e-PRO, CLHMS Spokane Wa Real Estate

Wow our PSA does not state that :(The purchase agreement that you signed in the state of Minnesota requires the seller to warrant that the central air conditioning, heating, plumbing and wiring systems on the property are in working order on the date of closing. It also insures the buyer the right to a "walk-through" review of the property prior to closing. This is not something to forego.)

It never ceases to amaze me how many details can be added to all of the paperwork we do and that makes a lot of sense.

WALK THROUGH: always do it!

May 13, 2010 04:20 PM
Kymberly Caldwell-Muniz
(909) 973-0410 - Fontana, CA
TCR Group Keller Williams Realty Rancho Cucamonga

It is so important to do your final walk thru, especially if the property was not vacant when you first did your tour. I will never finalize my transactions without one. Thanks for the tips.

May 13, 2010 04:48 PM
Michael Larson
Lancer Group Properties - Menomonie, WI

Thanks for the tips!

May 13, 2010 04:52 PM
Sharon Parisi
United Real Estate Dallas - Dallas, TX
Dallas Homes

Final walk throughs are so important.  I like your attention to detail!

May 13, 2010 05:16 PM
Leslie Ebersole
Swanepoel T3 Group - Saint Charles, IL
I help brokers build businesses they love.

Great list but it's a little sad that any buyer (and his agent) would skip a walkthrough. What were they thinking?

May 13, 2010 06:12 PM
Barb Szabo, CRS
RE/MAX Above & Beyond - Cleveland, OH
E-pro Realtor, Cleveland Ohio Homes

I am amazed at how often offers are written on my listings and there is no walk through addendum. Mostly I think it is laziness on the part of the agent..it would mean one more trip to the house.

May 14, 2010 02:30 AM
Flemington, NJ

Good stuff for home buyers,  thanks for writing this and what to do.

May 15, 2010 01:49 AM
Lola Audu
Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI
Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!

Excellent checklist!  Thanks for sharing it with your friends on Blogger's Choice.  

May 15, 2010 03:28 PM
Damon Gettier
Damon Gettier & Associates, REALTORS- Roanoke Va Short Sale Expert - Roanoke, VA
Broker/Owner ABRM, GRI, CDPE

These are good things for all buyers to know and do.  Too many walk throughs simply consist of walking through the house and not really checking anything.

May 16, 2010 02:20 AM
Teri Eckholm
Boardman Realty - White Bear Lake, MN
REALTOR Serving Mpls/St Paul North & East Metro

Hey All--So glad you enjoyed my post! I was busy so didn't have a chance to get back to each of you individulally. I did read all your comments and was surprised that some states do not put in the "boilerplate" that a walkthrough is the right of a buyer. My broker goes one step further and has us explain this to all buyers. They need to initial that we have talked about it and again if they want to waive their right to a final walkthrough. So far, none of my clients have chosen to waive their final walkthrough once they realize how important it is.

May 18, 2010 08:52 AM
Adam Malachi
A 2 Z Realty LLC - Castle Rock, CO
QSC,CDPE,CIPS,CNE,CRB,CRS,GRI,MRE,SFR

Excellent post! Very good checklist! In fact I would like to use it!

Thanks for sharing,

Adam

May 20, 2010 05:11 AM