Buying a home is an exciting time. Once you've found the perfect house go back and forth on the price with the seller, you think you are home-free, right? Well, I hate to break it to you but the process is a bit longer than that. There's the all important home inspection, final loan approval, and closing. But right before the closing, there is the final walk-through. Many people over look this step, but it is one of the most important steps of all. Because once you take ownership of the property there is no going back. So before you sign on the dotted line, here are the things you need to check for at the final walk-through. Most of these things should have been checked and fixed (if needed) during the home inspection and request to remedy, but it is always best to check one last time. You never know what could have happened in between the home inspection and closing date.
1. Inspect the ceilings, walls and floors. Now that they are bare, check for any large holes, water marks or cracked tile that may have been hiding under a rug or behind a picture.
2. Turn on every light switch. You want to make sure they all work. If one seems to be broken, check the light bulb before you jump to conclusions that the entire circuit is broken!
3. Test the heating and air conditioner. This can be a huge expense if you have to repair or replace. So best to double check now.
4. Try out the garbage disposal and any exhaust fans. These are little things that may have broken in the last few weeks, especially if the home is older.
5. Test all of the appliances. Another huge expense if you don't realize they are broken until after you take possession of the house.
6. Check that doors don't squeak or wiggle off hinges. If you hear a squeak, that is probably a good guess that they will fall off the hinges in the near future.
7. Open and shut all the windows. You want to be safe first and foremost. So if the windows don't shut or lock, you want to catch that now. Plus, keep in mind this can be a huge expense with windows running $300-$2000 a window, depending on size and type.
8. Test all of the outlets.
9. Look under the sinks. Check for an visible sign of leaking water, cracks or water damage.
10. Run sink and tub water and flush all toilets. You don't want to be messing with this when you actually use the facilities :)
Always remember to do your final walk-through a day or two BEFORE you sign on the dotted line at closing. You want to have time to request more repairs to be made, or repairs that you requested fixed if they are not up to par. Also, be sure to check that any appliances that are supposed to stay, are still there and that the seller did not leave any furniture or trash in the house.
Follow these tips and your final walk-through will be a breeze!
1. Inspect the ceilings, walls and floors. Now that they are bare, check for any large holes, water marks or cracked tile that may have been hiding under a rug or behind a picture.
2. Turn on every light switch. You want to make sure they all work. If one seems to be broken, check the light bulb before you jump to conclusions that the entire circuit is broken!
3. Test the heating and air conditioner. This can be a huge expense if you have to repair or replace. So best to double check now.
4. Try out the garbage disposal and any exhaust fans. These are little things that may have broken in the last few weeks, especially if the home is older.
5. Test all of the appliances. Another huge expense if you don't realize they are broken until after you take possession of the house.
6. Check that doors don't squeak or wiggle off hinges. If you hear a squeak, that is probably a good guess that they will fall off the hinges in the near future.
7. Open and shut all the windows. You want to be safe first and foremost. So if the windows don't shut or lock, you want to catch that now. Plus, keep in mind this can be a huge expense with windows running $300-$2000 a window, depending on size and type.
8. Test all of the outlets.
9. Look under the sinks. Check for an visible sign of leaking water, cracks or water damage.
10. Run sink and tub water and flush all toilets. You don't want to be messing with this when you actually use the facilities :)
Always remember to do your final walk-through a day or two BEFORE you sign on the dotted line at closing. You want to have time to request more repairs to be made, or repairs that you requested fixed if they are not up to par. Also, be sure to check that any appliances that are supposed to stay, are still there and that the seller did not leave any furniture or trash in the house.
Follow these tips and your final walk-through will be a breeze!