The Purpose of Your Final Walk Through, and What to Look For

The time to conduct a Final Walk Through on your new home is just before you close on the home that you are about to buy. Your attorney and/or Realtor should explain the process and importance of conducting a final walk through of the property, and you should NEVER waive that right.

A Final walk through is conducted just before you close on the home  and is done for the sole purpose of inspecting the home  prior to purchasing it, and ensuring that it is in the SAME condition as it was when you originally placed the offer on it, reasonable wear and tear excepted. Look to make sure that items that were to be included in the sale are present, and that items that were NOT to be included have been removed.

The reason for this last minute look  is because it is much easier to rectify a problem  (if there is one) BEFORE you purchase the home, rather than after you actually close on it. In most cases, once you get the keys, that's it. Period.

A Final Walk through, (or final inspection, as it is sometimes called) should also include the following:

• Check appliances to make sure they are working

• Check the thermostat(s), the heating system and Cooling system (but check the C/A only if the outside temperature has been at least 65 degrees for the past three consecutive days)

• Check all faucets- run the hot and cold water, make sure they arre operating and that there are no new leaks and the temperature of each is appropriate. Check drainage while you are at it.  Run the tub, shower, toilets and make sure they are working properly.

• Check to see all the lights and switches are operating properly.  Smoke detectors, too.

• Check to make sure the cabinets have been emptied.

• Check for any paint cans that you DO NOT WANT, or any other materials that could be considered hazardous and would require a special trip and/or permit from the town dump to dispose of properly.

• If there were any obvious repairs that the seller was to complete prior to closing, check to make sure that they were in fact done, and done properly. You should (or your attorney should)  already have  the accompanying paperwork.

Each house will vary slightly as to what you may  want to look for, and this is just a representative list. If you ever feel the need to have a professional building inspector to accompany you  to your walk through, most will do so for a nominal fee.

And a note From Judy: If you have a question about buying or selling a home in Fairfield County, and are in need of an Realtor to represent you, I invite you to contact me, and if you have an idea for a topic that you would like to see on The CT Realty Blog, please include it in the "Post a Comment" section link below this post. We appreciate the feedback and look forward to providing you with the best real estate content, advice and service in Fairfield County, Connecticut.