Your New Home Is Just One Step Away: A Complete Guide to the Final Walk-Through Before Closing!
- Marketing Alpha
- May 1
- 3 min read
1 First of all, congratulations on your upcoming milestone—owning your own home! From determining your budget to placing an offer, you've come a long way. Now, with all the paperwork almost complete, you're practically at the finish line!
2 However , before the official handover , there is one last important step that cannot be overlooked - the Final Walk-Through . To ensure that this step is completed smoothly , we have prepared an ultimate checklist for you!
What is Final Walk-Through?
The Final Walk-Through is your final "big inspection" before officially taking over the house. Its main purposes include:
1. Confirm that all required repairs have been completed
2. Check for new problems since the last home inspection
3. Verify that all fixtures and furniture agreed upon in the contract are still in place
4. Test that all systems and appliances, which the seller guarantees are in good working order, are in good working order.
While this may sound a bit tedious , unexpected things can happen during the moving process or while your home is vacant . Sometimes , the homeowner or repairman might not complete the repairs exactly as requested. Therefore, the Final Walk-Through is designed to prevent any potential problems and ensure your new home is as perfect as you imagined! After all , buying a home is a big deal , and having some extra security is always good !
Who should show up?
The main characters of the Final Walk-Through are, of course, you, the buyer, and your real estate agent. Generally, the seller is not required to be present unless you specifically request it. If the seller is present, their real estate agent should also be present.
You might also consider having a home inspector or the person who performed the repairs come in. While this may incur an additional fee , it may be worth it if you want to double-check the quality of the repairs .
How long does it take ?
The answer to this question is: it depends. The size of the house and the level of detail you choose to inspect will affect the time it takes. For example, if you're just doing a quick inspection of all the rooms, closets, and cabinets in a 110-square-meter house, 20 minutes might be enough. However, if it's a larger house or you want a more thorough inspection, it might take one to two hours.
Our recommendations are :
Take your time and give yourself ample time to inspect all house systems, storage areas, interior spaces , and exterior features ( such as sprinkler systems, electric awnings, etc. ) .
Final Walk-Through Checklist
Final Walk-Through Checklist 📋✅
Preparation
The original final offer (listing all terms of sale agreed to by both buyer and seller) 📄✍️
Home inspection report (especially a summary of items requiring repair) 📊🔍
All written agreements between the buyer and seller regarding repairs🤝📜
Notebook 📓✏️
A mobile phone or camera that can take pictures 📱📸
Small plug-in devices (such as alarm clocks, phone chargers, or night lights) ⏰🔌
Final Walk-Through Checklist 📃✔️
Exterior inspection of the property
Are the roof and gutters intact? 🏠💧
Did the seller leave behind any trash or other items? 🗑️👀
Are there any signs of pests? 🐜🕷️
Does the garage door open and close normally? 🚗🚪
Is the doorbell working? Is the mailbox in good condition? 🔔📮
Interior inspection of the house
Make sure water, electricity and gas are all turned on 💧⚡🔥
Major appliances can operate (washer, dryer, dishwasher, stove, oven, refrigerator, etc.) 🧺🍽️🧊
Testing the HVAC system 🌡️❄️
Testing the garbage disposal 🗑️💨
Check and run all fans 💨🌀
Check all taps, sinks and pipes 🚰🚽
Flush all toilets 🚽💦
Run water in all showers and bathtubs 🚿🛁
Test ceiling fans and light switches in every room 💡🔦
Test all outlets 🔌🔋
Check for new mold 🍄🔬
Check all doors and windows 🚪🪟
Check ceilings, walls, floors, etc. 🧱🖼️
Make sure all fixtures are intact🛋️🖼️
What should I do if I find a problem?
Tell your real estate agent and have them talk to the seller's agent 🗣️📞
Possible solutions:
Postponing handover until repairs are complete ⏳🔨
Negotiate appropriate compensation, then take care of the repairs yourself 💰🛠️
The worst option: exit the trade 😔🚫
Conclusion
Now you know all the key points for the final inspection! When you finally move into your perfect new home, you'll be glad you did such a thorough inspection.
I wish you a smooth acceptance and move into your ideal home as soon as possible !
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