Over the past few months, you’ve searched high and low for the perfect place to create a new life for your family. Now that your search is over and an offer has been accepted, you’re giddy with excitement as you approach the closing date. However, there’s still one very important thing to complete: the final walk-through.
The walk-through process can take place anywhere from several hours to several days before closing. It’s important to take the necessary time to perform a thorough walk-through to ensure the home is in the condition it was promised. If you spot something worrisome, talk to your agent about it as soon as possible. He or she will strive to quickly resolve the issue to avoid a potential delay in closing.
If the property is still occupied by the current owner at the time of the walk-through, it might benefit you to ask them to be present. This would be a great opportunity to ask about any improvements they’ve wanted to make to the property. It’s also a good idea (as well as a kind gesture) to ask the seller for their forwarding address to route any stray mail.
We created a checklist to use as a guide during the walk-through process. Some items on the list may not apply to your specific property and there may also be others you should consider that aren’t mentioned.
To avoid overlooking a potential issue… walk into each room and ask yourself the following question: “Is there anything that could pose a potential risk, decrease the value of the home, or cause me to lose a significant amount of money should it need to be repaired soon after I close?”
| Final Walk-through Checklist | Completed |
| Flip each light fixture on and off. | |
| Run the water in each sink. Are there signs of a leak? | |
| Do all appliances work properly (stove, oven, washer, dryer, microwave)? | |
| Do the toilets flush efficiently? | |
| Does the garbage disposal work properly? | |
| Do the exhaust fans run quietly and smoothly? | |
| Test the garage door opener. Does it work? | |
| Is there damage to the walls or floors from the previous owner’s move? | |
| Test the heating and air conditioning. Are they heating and cooling? | |
| Open and close all windows. Do they open and close easily? | |
| Latch and unlatch windows. Do they latch and unlatch easily? | |
| Check for condensation in double-paned windows. | |
| Do the doorbells, alarms, and intercoms work properly? | |
| Does the shower drain properly and efficiently? | |
| Are the plate covers on all light switches? | |
| Check outdoor features (play equipment, pool, hoses, hot tub, sauna, sprinkler system). | |
| Is there a pest control issue that needs to be accessed? | |
| Is the property clean and devoid of debris? | |
| Is the attic and/or basement cleared out and clean? | |
| Did the previous owner leave behind warranties or manuals that may be needed? | |
| Did you previously request any repair work? If so, has it been completed? |
The final walk-through is now complete and any issues found have been resolved. You’ve covered all of your bases and should feel confident about the quality of your new home. Go ahead and breathe a huge sigh of relief. YOU’VE EARNED IT!