you have almost completed the entire Home buying process. Used since early Mortgage Calculator Check How much house can you afford?, tour homes online or in person, and finally make an offer on your first home. Now, the home inspection is complete, the bank’s appraiser has submitted his report, and the bank has approved sending settlement funds to the title company.
You’re almost at the finish line, and Home in Atlanta, Georgia, Phoenix, Arizona, or virtually all yours wherever you move. Except for one last thing to do: a final walkthrough. Luckily, Redfin has created the ultimate walkthrough checklist to help ensure a smooth finish.
What happens during the last walkthrough before closing?
The final walk-through is your last chance before taking ownership of your home to ensure:
- All requested repairs have been completed
- No new repair or maintenance issues have arisen since the inspection
- All agreed fixtures and furniture detailed in the contract remain in the home
- The seller represents that all systems and equipment that were functioning properly at the time of the offer are still functioning properly
While this may seem like a lot of items to double-check, you’ll be glad you took the time to get it right. Unfortunately, there are a few things that can happen during the move-out process when the house is vacant or because the homeowner or contractor failed to complete repairs properly.
When should the final exercise take place?
Ideally, the final walkthrough should take place as close to closing on the home as possible. The seller’s property should be completely moved out so you can get a better look at the home while it’s vacant, especially for any issues that may be hidden with furniture or appliances. If you are unable to conduct the drill on closing day, it is best to conduct it 2-3 days before closing.
The last thing you want to do is take possession of your new home and find out that a new problem has arisen since you last lived in the house as a potential buyer, which might have been a few weeks ago.
Who should be present during the final exercise?
The buyer and the buyer’s real estate agent are the only people required to attend the final walk-through. The seller should not be present unless the buyer specifically requests it, in which case their real estate agent should also be present.
It is also up to the buyer to decide if he or she wants a home inspector or any professional who will perform the repairs to be present. As a buyer, this may result in additional fees from the inspector, but it will be worth it if you double-check to make sure the job is done correctly.
How long will the final walkthrough take?
The length of time a walkthrough takes depends on the size of the home and how thorough your inspection is. For a 1,200-square-foot house, it may only take 20 minutes to go through all the rooms, closets, and cabinets. In larger homes, this process may take an hour or two.
Give yourself appropriate time to inspect all house systems, storage areas, interior rooms, and exterior features such as sprinkler systems, electric awnings, etc. or lack of utensils.
What should buyers pay attention to during the final walk-through?
The important thing to remember during the walkthrough is that this is not another home inspection. Now is not the time to come up with brand new items that you or your inspector didn’t catch the first or second time around. This is a cursory inspection to make sure the house reflects the condition you remembered when you made the offer.
The ultimate walkthrough checklist
Before the final walkthrough determine:
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Were the agreed upon repairs completed to your satisfaction? |
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Were the agreed upon repairs completed to your satisfaction? |
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Is the home missing anything that should be left behind, such as appliances, curtains, or even built-in bookcases? |
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Did the seller leave behind trash, old paint, or anything else? |
Home Exterior: The Ultimate Checklist
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Are the gutters and roof intact from the ground level? |
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Did the seller leave behind trash or other items—such as yard chemicals, old paint, or cement mix? |
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Are there any signs of pests, such as termites rotting wood or rodent droppings? |
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Does the garage door open correctly? You may receive the remote at closing, so don’t panic if it’s not at home. You can open the door at any time using the garage button inside the garage. |
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Does the doorbell work? |
Home Interior Decorating: The Ultimate Checklist
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Make sure water, electricity and gas are connected. Run major appliances such as washers, dryers, dishwashers, stoves and ovens, and check to make sure refrigerators and freezers are operating. |
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Run your heating and cooling (HVAC) system regardless of the outside temperature. |
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Run the garbage disposal. |
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Check and run any fans above the stove or in the bathroom. |
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Check all faucets in your home and turn on hot and cold water. Make sure sinks drain properly and that pipes and faucets are leak-free. |
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Flush all toilets and check for leaks to make sure they are working and filling properly. |
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All showers and tubs have running water. |
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Test ceiling fans and light switches in each room. |
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Test all repaired outlets to ensure they are functioning properly. |
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Look for any new signs of mold, especially in corners of rooms and areas previously covered by furniture. |
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Open and close all doors and windows. Make sure they are locked properly. Is there a missing window screen or sticky door? |
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View all ceilings, walls, crown molding, floors and baseboards. Did the seller perform all agreed-upon caulking and paint repairs? Are there signs of new damage since the seller moved out? |
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Are all fixtures intact? Fixtures include items such as door handles, blinds, lighting, ceiling fans and built-in fixtures. These items should not be removed unless your final contract specifies their removal. They are considered different from personal property, such as a table lamp that can be easily moved from room to room. |
If everything on this list ticks the boxes, congratulations, your home is move-in ready.
What should buyers bring to their final visit?
As a buyer, you should bring:
- Your initial final offer showing what both parties agreed to in the terms of sale
- Inspection report—especially a summary of necessary repairs
- Any written agreement between buyer and seller regarding repairs
- a notebook for taking notes
- A phone or camera that can take pictures to document any new damage or problems
- A small plug-in, such as a clock, phone charger, or night light, for checking outlets
- Of course, a final walkthrough checklist of all items that should be checked during this time
During the final walk-through, you want to make sure that all parties have met the terms of their agreement and that you won’t be stuck in a repair nightmare now that the house is yours.
What role does the seller play in the final exercise?
Sellers must keep the house in “broom sweep” condition, which means they vacuum, wipe down kitchen and bathroom countertops, and sweep the floors.
They must also leave behind whatever they agreed to in the agreement sales agreement. They can’t decide whether to take the curtains to their next home. It is also not acceptable for sellers to leave behind items they no longer want or need, such as old clothing, tools and other gear or other items.
If damage occurs while removing pictures, televisions or anything else hung or mounted, Seller shall repair it. Sellers should also review the agreed-upon offer to make sure they fixed everything on the listing and left behind everything they agreed to leave behind.
Mistakes and inadequate repairs happen, especially during a rushed move. This is why the final walkthrough is so important.
What if something goes wrong?
Open communication is key to solving most drill problems. First, talk to your real estate agent, who will then talk to the seller’s agent and explain the issues. It’s important to let both real estate agents do their job so that you’re more likely to reach an amicable resolution.
Most experienced real estate agents will tell you that problems that arise during the final inspection are rare, but they do happen occasionally. If you find a problem that you can’t fix on the spot, here are three common actions you can take:
- You can delay closing until repairs are completed or new repairs are completed.
- In some cases, it may make sense to negotiate appropriate compensation and repair it yourself.
- The least attractive option is to get out of the deal—no one really wants to do that. Both you and the seller are responsible for successfully completing the transaction, which is why walkthrough issues are usually resolved within a reasonable amount of time.
