Home Buyers- Take the Final Walk-Through Seriously...
The final walk-through is one of the last things a home buyer needs to do before closing escrow. With that said, “the final walk-through isn’t just about making sure the home hasn’t burned down- there is a lot more to the final walk-through than that.”
So, if the final walk-through is more than making sure the house is still there- what is the purpose of doing a final walk-through?
First and foremost the final walk-through is about making sure the sellers have vacated the property as contracted. Besides making sure the seller has vacated the property, you also want to make sure they have left the property in satisfactory condition. As a matter of fact, in many cases, the buyer and seller have negotiated many repairs, and the final walk-through gives the buyer a chance to makes sure the seller has taken care of all agreed-upon work.
To complete an effective walk-through, here are a few helpful tips!
Doing the final walk-through is more than checking a box on the disclosure form. It is very important that the buyer takes the final walk-through seriously. And because the final walk-through is an important part of the home buying process, you should schedule the final walk-through several days before closing- do not schedule the final walk-through the day of closing.
Because of needed repairs- sometimes it takes more than one final walk-through for the sellers to get it right. No one want’s to delay closing, especially lenders. That is why it is better to hammer out any unresolved issues in advance.
Besides making sure the home is in satisfactory condition- you also want to check and make sure there are no leftover belongings. I don’t know why- but sellers are infamous for leaving behind things that shouldn’t be in the home. Remember- once escrow closes, any unwanted items are yours, and it will be your responsibility to dispose of any unwanted items.
Not only do you want to make sure the is in good shape and vacated- you should be mentally ready to see the home empty. An empty home gives off a cold feeling. And when you walk into an empty home, not only can it can be a little overwhelming but also an empty home shows its blemishes, too.
To ensure a smooth ride to the closing table- the best way to handle the final walk-through is to do it several days before closing as well as be mentally and emotionally ready. You want to take the final walk-through seriously. And to do so- that means you need to know what to look for and have a checklist.
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