Although it bears an ominous-sounding name, the final walk-through is actually a blessing for homebuyers. It typically occurs in the days leading up to closing.
This is your final chance to inspect the home to ensure that it is in the same condition as when you agreed to purchase it, that the seller has completed all requested repairs, and that all personal items included in the sale are, indeed, in place and that there is no new damage to the home.
This is not an opportunity to discover issues that you hadn’t seen during past visits.
Two tips to make sure the inspection goes off without a hitch:
- Your real estate agent should remind the buyers’ agent to ensure that all the utilities remain on. Feel free to call your agent to determine if this was done.
- Bring along a smartphone or camera to document any issues.
Check Repairs
- Have all requested repairs been made according to the purchase agreement? Tip: Bring along a professional to inspect the repairs.
- Did the seller leave all permits, warranties, and receipts for you?
Check Appliances and Major Systems
- Start the dishwasher and allow it to complete the cycle while you check the rest of the home.
- Switch on the driveway heater and allow it to warm up during your inspection.
- Turn on the air conditioner and set the thermostat. Does the unit shut off when the room reaches that temperature?
- Is the air conditioning unit pumping out cool air?
- Turn on the heater and check the thermostat as you did with the air conditioning system.
- Turn on ceiling fans and test the various speeds.
- Turn on the hot water on all faucets. Does the water get hot?
- Test the doorbell.
- Test the alarm system.
- Open and close the garage door using both the remote and the button on the wall in the garage.
- Turn on all burners on the stove and check that the oven is functioning.
- Test the microwave.
- Does the gas fireplace work?
- Flick the switch on the garbage disposer to ensure that it works.
- Check all electric outlets to ensure they are getting power. Tip: Bring a small electrical appliance or desk lamp with you to test the home’s power outlets.
- In California, check to make sure the water heater is properly strapped.
Is the personal property included in the sale present and functioning?
- Is the refrigerator cold? Does the freezer work?
- Start the washing machine and allow it to cycle
- Turn on the dryer and allow it to work long enough to determine that it gets warm
- Check all lighting
- Test window coverings
- Check furnishings
- Turn on the jets and the heater in the hot tub/spa.
- Ensure that the play equipment or structures were left (if agreed to in the contract) and that they are in the same condition as when you made the offer to purchase the home.
- Ensure that the seller left all the owner’s manuals for appliances and home systems (air conditioning, heating, fireplace units, alarm systems, etc.)
Windows, walls, and doors
- Are any windows cracked or broken?
- Do the windows operate properly?
- Do all windows have screens?
- Are there rips, tears, or other damage to the screens?
- Do the doors open and close properly?
- Are there any missing storm windows?
- Check the walls from ceiling to floor for gouges, scrapes, and other defects that weren’t there when you made the offer to purchase.
Mold
- Do the windows have signs of mold?
- Are there signs of mold or water damage under the kitchen sink?
- Are there signs of mold or water damage in the bathroom?
- Are there signs of mold or water damage around appliances, such as the refrigerator, washer/dryer, and water heater?
- Check the basement thoroughly for any signs of mold
Check the Home’s Exterior Features
- Visually inspect the roof, shutters, and siding on the home’s exterior. Are there any changes since you agreed to purchase the home?
- Turn on the irrigation system and follow it around the yard to ensure there are no leaks.
- Do all exterior lights function?
- Did the driveway heater turn on and remain warm?
- Test the lights and electrical outlets in the garage.
- Shake the railings on decks, porches, and stairs to make sure they don’t wobble.
- Is all the landscaping intact?
Miscellaneous
- Did the seller leave the remote-control devices for the pool heater, ceiling fans, alarms, and garage doors?
- Is the home clean? In most regions, homes should be left in “broom swept” condition and sellers must remove all garbage and personal property.
- Before you leave the house: did you turn off the irrigation system, HVAC system and driveway, pool, and spa heaters?
- Has the seller left all the keys to every lock in the house, basement, garage, and shed, as well as mailbox, pool, clubhouse, and other miscellaneous keys if you purchased a condo?
Happy closing!
