The walk through is the last chance you and your agent have to
look over the house before closing, and can occur anywhere from a few
days to a few hours before closing. It is during this time that you will
confirm that the repairs and changes agreed upon with the seller were
made. It also ensures that nothing comes as a surprise once the house
officially becomes yours.
The list of important items to check during your walk through is extensive, so a checklist and copy of your sales contract can help you stay on task. There are certain items that tend to slip a new home buyer's mind, including checking all the lights and light fixtures to make sure they are wired properly, running water and flushing toilets to ensure there are no leaks, and opening and closing garage doors to check that they work properly.
Pay close attention to areas you may not have fully seen before your walk through, such as previously covered floors and counter tops. Look carefully in attics and crawlspaces to make sure they are in top condition as these areas are often overlooked until a problem arises. And don't forget to make sure that no trash or debris is left behind that will become your responsibility after closing.
There are special considerations to be taken depending on whether you are buying a vacant home, an occupied home or a newly constructed home. With a vacant house, take your time inspecting the home as problems can arise when a house is uninhabited for any significant length of time. With an occupied home, use the walk through as an opportunity to talk to the seller about any quirks that the house might have.
Even though some buyers rely on the fact that new construction does not come with pre-existing problems, it is still important to stay focused and meticulously check all details. Also, take this opportunity to discuss maintenance and warrantee information with the builder. A good website to learn the important questions to ask your builder when you buy a new home is NewHomeGuide.com.
While it is not part of a buyer's obligation, it is very unwise to not conduct a walk through. It is easy to get carried away with the excitement of your new home, stay calm and focused to ensure that every aspect of the house has been covered. If you find any issues during your walk through, be sure to speak up and document the problems.
You'll be glad you took the time and effort for the entire duration of your stay in your new home.
The list of important items to check during your walk through is extensive, so a checklist and copy of your sales contract can help you stay on task. There are certain items that tend to slip a new home buyer's mind, including checking all the lights and light fixtures to make sure they are wired properly, running water and flushing toilets to ensure there are no leaks, and opening and closing garage doors to check that they work properly.
Pay close attention to areas you may not have fully seen before your walk through, such as previously covered floors and counter tops. Look carefully in attics and crawlspaces to make sure they are in top condition as these areas are often overlooked until a problem arises. And don't forget to make sure that no trash or debris is left behind that will become your responsibility after closing.
There are special considerations to be taken depending on whether you are buying a vacant home, an occupied home or a newly constructed home. With a vacant house, take your time inspecting the home as problems can arise when a house is uninhabited for any significant length of time. With an occupied home, use the walk through as an opportunity to talk to the seller about any quirks that the house might have.
Even though some buyers rely on the fact that new construction does not come with pre-existing problems, it is still important to stay focused and meticulously check all details. Also, take this opportunity to discuss maintenance and warrantee information with the builder. A good website to learn the important questions to ask your builder when you buy a new home is NewHomeGuide.com.
While it is not part of a buyer's obligation, it is very unwise to not conduct a walk through. It is easy to get carried away with the excitement of your new home, stay calm and focused to ensure that every aspect of the house has been covered. If you find any issues during your walk through, be sure to speak up and document the problems.
You'll be glad you took the time and effort for the entire duration of your stay in your new home.
My name is Robert Stark. I have been in the industry of real
estate investing for over 17 years. My real estate investing endeavors
have run the gamut from vans down by the river to mansions on the
mountain side. In the last 5 years I have been able to focus on buying new homes,
and through my experiences I have acquired a considerable amount of
home buying knowledge that I would like to share with anyone who cares
to listen.