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Buying a Home? Use This Final Walk-Through Checklist
So here you are, in the home stretch of the home-buying process, having put in your time shopping Atlanta homes for sale and found the one that is just right for you. You've put an offer on it and had it accepted. Your financing is in place, the home inspection completed, and a closing date is scheduled. That means that it's time for the final walk-through to make sure everything is in order before you sign on the dotted line at the closing table.
You're sure to be excited at this point and eager to get past the formalities and into your new home, but it's essential to realize that the final walk-through isn't just a formality. It is an important step in ensuring that you get what you bargained for in your purchase agreement, and our real estate agents would certainly tell you that it's one to take very seriously. To help you make the most of it, we've put together a helpful final walk-through checklist for home buyers.
- Pack up a few things to take with you – To do a thorough job with your final walk-through, you'll need to take a few key documents and items along. These include your final purchase contract and home inspection summary to refer to as you check up on things, a notepad to list any concerns you may have, and a phone and charger, so you're able to take pictures and check outlets. It's also a good idea to take your real estate agent along for guidance during your walk-through.
- Check on repairs – This is where that inspection report comes in. Check to see that any needed repairs noted in that summary have been done, and that paperwork associated with them, such as warranties or receipts, have been left for you.
- Look for items that are included in the sale – This is why you need to bring your final contract. Anything that the seller has agreed to leave behind, like appliances or blinds, for instance, should be listed in your contract. Refer to it to see what items are supposed to have been left with the house, then check to make sure they're still in the home.
- Test all appliances, including heating and air conditioning units – Turn on the heat and air conditioning to make sure they work. Test the garbage disposal, start the dishwasher, and make sure the refrigerator works. Try out the oven to make sure it heats up, test exhaust fans, and if there are a washer and dryer, try them out too.
- Inspect bathrooms and kitchens for water issues – Look under the sinks, around pipes, and at the base of toilets for leaks, water damage or signs of mold or mildew. Test all faucets, shower heads, drains and toilets to make sure they work properly.
- Test the electrical system – Plug your phone charger into each outlet to make sure they're working. Look for signs of damage to those outlets while you're at it. Test all light switches to make sure they work.
- Check doors and windows – Make sure they all open and close properly, and their locks and latches work. Check for damaged screens or broken windows.
- Look over the grounds – Sellers have been known to dig up favorite plants or trees to take with them. Check over the property to make sure this hasn't happened.
For more tips on what to look for in your final walk-through, please contact us. We're always happy to help home buyers in our area in any way we can.