What To Look For During A Real Estate Final Walk-Through

When most homebuyers have their final walk-through for the home they are purchasing, they do a quick walk around to look at the space before heading out the door. However, you should have a checklist in mind of things you are looking for to ensure that you do not miss them. Here are some of those things that you need to stop and take a look at.

Verify All Things That Are Supposed To Stay

You likely have a list of things that are supposed to stay in the home, because it is not always obvious. Your final walk-through is the time to make sure that everything that needs to stay is still there. While this may include the obvious things like the washer, dryer, refrigerator, and stove, it can also include things like the flowers in the flower beds. Now is the time to speak up if you see something that is missing.

Verify All The Things That Are Supposed To Be Removed

You should also have a list of things that need to be removed from the home by the previous owner. This could include junk that was left behind in the attic, old window coverings, and things of that nature. While you may think that it is not a big deal to go through and dispose of the things left behind, it is still a part of your contract that should be met. You could ask for a credit at closing to take care of these items that were not removed from the property.

Verify All Repairs

If the previous owner had a list of repairs that they needed to do, it is important to inspect every single repair to make sure that it is done to your satisfaction. This could include small cosmetic problems like damage done to walls, but it may also include big repairs to things like the electrical, plumbing, or even the foundation. It may be worth having a home inspector walk through the home with you to ensure that these repairs were done properly.

Verify That Things Have Been Cleaned

Another thing that the previous owner should have done is cleaned the house thoroughly before you take ownership. Inspect the kitchen and bathrooms where things tend to be the worse, as well as under sinks that could be filthy. You'll also want to look in the refrigerator to make sure that it is clean as well since it can easily be forgotten. 

For more information about closing on single-family homes, contact a local real estate agent.


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