Ok, so you may or may not be old enough to hear iconic song from the band Europe in your head when you read that title, but nonetheless you get my point! It’s the FINAL walk through.. FINAL being the key word!
The final walk through is your last chance, as a buyer, to inspect the home which within a day or two (closing) will be yours FOREVER… to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do you part, according to God's holy ordinance…. OK OK, maybe not that serious, BUT you should treat it that way!
Here are 10 things you NEED to do during your walk through:
Check agreed upon repairs. Your agent will bring a list of the requests for your review, but it is your responsibility to make sure the items are complete to your standards. The best way to ensure this is done, is to hire your home inspector to come back to inspect the property. The cost of $150-$200 is relatively cheap when you think about what it can cost in the long run. If you want to exercise this option, let your agent know so they can book the inspector ahead of time.
Confirm all the appliances that should convey with the home are present.
Check the conveying appliances to be sure they are all operational.
Check the HVAC system to be sure it is still operating. There will be certain times of the year that you can not check the heating or the cooling (depending on the temperature) so do this with caution as it can damage the unit!
Check mechanical components of the home such as plumbing (flush toilets, run water, etc.), light fixtures, ceiling fans, water heater, garbage disposal, and outlets to be sure all are working as they did during the home inspection.
Make sure the seller has left the garage door openers and that they work!
Confirm the attic and sheds are empty! Sellers may forget about items they don’t see often.
Check outside water spigots to be sure nothing has changed since the home inspection.
Be understanding. Sometimes the seller has spent the last few days, and or nights, emptying an entire home. They may still have a few things left to move… it’s a HUGE and sometimes exhausting process - as you will see once you start moving. If it’s not completely perfect, it is ok! There is still time to make sure everything is done right before you move in. Your agent can ensure the expectation is set with the seller’s agent. But don’t expect perfection… even in new construction, there will be a punch list of things that will need to be done after you move in!
Finally, BE READY to take a fun photo outside! This is a BIG milestone in your life! Don’t leave without letting your agent capture the moment! 📸
Once you leave the house for the final time before closing, consider it yours! As soon as you sign the deed, all the joy of home ownership are yours! This is an exciting and important part of your life so don’t get too hung up on the small details at this point in the process. Buying a home is the best investment you can make in yourself and your life. Building wealth through owning isn’t a short term game and their will be expenses along the way but if you check all the boxes above, you can be sure you did everything right… and if you have a good agent by your side, they will walk you right through the process!
