Buying a home is a big deal, and you need to take one last look inside before it's yours. Think of it like trying on clothes at a store – you want to make sure everything fits and works just right. Walk through each room and check that nothing is broken. Turn on every light switch. Run the water in all sinks. Make sure the heat and air work well. Look for wet spots on walls or floors. Check for bugs or mice. Make sure no one took away things that should stay, like the stove or dishwasher. This final check helps you feel good about your new home and keeps you from finding bad surprises later. If you see any problems, you can ask the seller to fix them before you pay.
What Is A Final Walkthrough
You get one last chance to check out your new home before you buy it. This happens about a day before you make it yours. Think of it like a test drive, but for a house!
When you walk through, you look at everything to make sure it's just like you saw it last time. You check if the sellers fixed what they said they'd fix. You make sure all the things that come with the house are still there. You also look for any new problems.
The old owners should be gone by now. They should have moved all their stuff out without breaking anything.
You'll want to test all the important parts of the house too. Turn on the heat and air. Flip on the lights. Run the water.
This is your last look before the house becomes yours, so take your time and look closely at everything.
Your Last Chance To Inspect
Before you get your new home, take one last look around.
Walk through each room slowly. Look at the walls. Check the floors. Look up at the ceilings. Make sure all windows work. Test things like the water and heat. Look for any problems you didn't see before.
Take lots of pictures if you find anything wrong. Tell your agent right away about what you find. Make sure the seller fixed all the things they said they'd fix.
This is your last chance to spot problems before the house is yours.
Check Every Room Thoroughly
When you walk through your future home one last time, think of it like a treasure hunt. You need to look at every room before you buy the house. Look up high and down low. Open every door and peek in every closet.
Make sure to:
- Turn on all lights
- Open and close all doors
- Check that water runs from each tap
- Look for anything new that wasn't there before
In each room, look for:
- Wet spots or cracks on walls and ceilings
- Windows that stick or don't lock
- Floors that creak or feel soft
Take lots of pictures. Write down what you see. If the seller said they'd fix something, make sure they did it right.
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Remember: This is your last chance to spot problems before the house becomes yours.
Document Issues and Concerns
Your house walkthrough matters a lot. Take pictures of anything that looks wrong. Snap photos of wet spots, missing parts, or broken things. Write down when and where you found each problem.
Make a list of everything you see wrong. Tell how bad each problem is. Say if it makes you want to change the price. If you need to check sizes or model numbers, write those down too.
Send all your photos and notes to your agent and lawyer right away. You can use your phone to take pictures. Some apps can help you keep track of everything.
All of this will help if you need to ask for fixes or pay less for the house.
Verify Prior Repairs Made
Before you move in, check that all the fixes were done right. You asked the seller to make repairs after the home check. Now you need to make sure they did the work well.
To check the repairs:
- Bring your list of repairs to look at
- Get all papers that show the work was done
- Try out everything that was fixed – like water pipes, light switches, and air systems
Turn on and use each fixed item a few times. If you see something wrong, tell your agent right away. This is your last chance to make sure the seller did all the repairs they promised.
Common Issues Found During Walkthroughs
When you walk through a home, you need to look for problems. Keep your eyes open for water stains on the walls and ceiling. These dark spots often mean leaky pipes or a bad roof.
Check if the strips around doors and windows are broken. Bad strips let cold air in and make your bills higher.
Make sure all power outlets work and lights don't blink. Watch out for loose wires. Turn on the heating and cooling system. If it makes weird sounds, that's not good.
Look at the floor and walls for big cracks. If doors stick or the floor feels wobbly, the house might've big problems.
Also check for signs of bugs or mice. Look for tiny droppings and chewed wood, which could mean termites live there.
Timing Your Final Walkthrough
Your final walkthrough is a big step in buying your home. You should do it right before you close on the house. Try to do it just one day before, but leave enough time to fix any problems you find.
Here's when to do your walkthrough:
- Wait until the sellers move all their stuff out. This lets you see the whole house clearly.
- Go during the day when the sun is up. You'll see the outside better and how much light comes in.
- Make sure the power and water are still on. That way you can check if things like sinks and lights work.
If you're buying a brand new house, you might need to do two walkthroughs. Do one before they finish the last bits, and one more right before you close.
Essential Items To Check
Let's Walk Through Your New Home
Take your time to check every part of your house. This list will help you look at all the important things before you buy.
| Area | Look For | Common Problems |
|---|---|---|
| Water | Test sinks, toilets, drains | Drips, weak water flow, blocks |
| Power | Test plugs, lights | Dead spots, blinking lights |
| Air | Test heat and cold air | Cold spots, weird noises |
| Home Tools | Test stove, fridge, washer | Broken parts, scratches |
| House Parts | Look at walls, floors, windows | Cracks, water spots |
Take pictures or videos of anything that looks wrong. Turn on each light switch. Run water in all sinks. Flush each toilet. Use every home tool that comes with the house.
Make sure the old owners took all their stuff. Check if they fixed everything they said they would fix.
Documenting Problems And Concerns
Walk through your future home and spot any problems. Take bright photos of anything that looks wrong or broken. Get lots of pictures from different sides.
Ask about things that worry you. Find out if they'll cost money to fix or make the home hard to live in. Write down every problem you see.
Make a big list that shows where each problem is. Add your photos to the list. This will help when you talk about the price of the home.
Take Clear Photos
When you walk through your new home, take lots of clear pictures. This helps you remember what everything looked like before you buy the house.
Take big pictures of whole rooms. Then take close-up pictures of small things you worry about.
Take pictures of:
- Marks on walls, floors, and ceilings
- All kitchen tools and house parts that stay with the home
- Outside areas like the yard and house walls
Keep these pictures safe on your phone or computer. Write down when you took them. Give copies to your house helper and lawyer.
If something changes between your walk-through and when you buy the home, these pictures will help you prove it.
Ask Questions During Walkthrough
Take a good look at your new home before you buy it. There are three big things to check.
First, look at how strong the house is. Check for cracks in the base. Look at the roof and walls to make sure they are solid.
Next, test if things work well. Turn on the heat and air. Check if the lights work. Run the water in sinks and toilets.
Last, ask about fixes and care. Find out what has been fixed lately. Ask what still needs to be fixed. Get papers that show the work done.
| What to Check | Look For |
|---|---|
| House Parts | Cracks, leaks, strong walls |
| House Systems | Heat, air, lights, water |
| Fix-ups | New fixes, needed fixes, fix papers |
If you see wet spots or weird smells, ask about them right away. Make sure all fixes you asked for were done right. Get all papers about fixes and promises to fix things.
Record Every Issue Found
When you walk through a house you want to buy, write down everything you see wrong. Take lots of pictures with your phone. Write clear notes too. This helps you remember all the problems later.
Here's how to do it:
- Take many pictures of each problem
- Write down what you see wrong, where it is, and how big it is
- Make a list with numbers and match your notes to your pictures
Keep all your notes and pictures safe. You might need them later to ask the seller to fix things or give you money back.
Put them in a folder you can find easily until you own the house.
Bringing The Right Tools
You need good tools to check your new home before you buy it. Bring your phone to take pictures. A bright light helps you see dark spots. Pack a tape to measure rooms. Get a tester to make sure power works in wall plugs.
Take a small ball to roll on floors. This shows if floors are flat. Get a tool that finds wet spots in walls. Test the special plugs in kitchens and bathrooms. Write things down as you look around.
Keep your home buying papers with you. Check that all items staying with the house are there. These tools help you spot problems before you say yes to the house.
Who Should Attend
You need some helpful people with you when you check your new home one last time. Think of them as your team of experts.
Your real estate agent will be there to help you. They'll write down any problems they see. They also make sure the seller did everything they promised.
Your home inspector should come too. This is the person who first looked at your home for problems. They can check if the seller fixed those problems.
The key people you need are:
- Your agent – they guide you and keep track of everything
- The seller's agent – they can tell you what's new with the home
- Your inspector – they check all the fixes
These people work together to protect you. They make sure your new home is just what you paid for.
They also check that all the fixes are done right.
Checking For Recent Damage
Look around your house closely. You need to find any new damage since you last saw it. Water can leak near windows and in basements. Look at your walls for new cracks or holes.
Go outside too. Look up at your roof. Are any roof tiles missing? Check if the drains are still hanging on tight.
Try all doors and windows to make sure they open and shut well. Big moving trucks can bump into things, so check door frames and stairs for damage.
Take pictures of anything that looks wrong. Show these pictures to your agent right away.
Testing All Home Systems
When you check your new home before moving in, take the time to make sure everything works.
Test all your kitchen things like the fridge and dishwasher. Check that the heat and air work well. Make sure the hot water runs.
Plug a tester into each wall outlet to see if they work right. Turn on many sinks at once to see if the water flows well.
Look under sinks to make sure no water drips or leaks. Check that all water goes down the drain fast.
Check Every Major Appliance
When you walk through your new home one last time, make sure to test all the big machines. This helps you know everything works before you buy the house.
Try out each machine one by one:
In the Kitchen:
- Check if the fridge is cold
- Run the dishwasher
- Test the stove and oven
- Run the garbage disposal
In the Laundry Room:
- Run the washer with water
- Make sure the dryer gets hot
For Heating and Cooling:
- Push the thermostat buttons
- Feel if warm or cool air comes out
- Look at the air filter
Take pictures or videos if something doesn't work right.
Tell your real estate agent right away if you find any problems. They can help fix things before you buy the house.
Test Electrical and Plumbing
When you look at a home you want to buy, check if everything works right. Start by testing all the lights and power outlets. Turn on each light switch. Plug in a tester to make sure outlets are safe.
Next, check the water. Turn on many faucets at once to see if the water runs well. Flush each toilet and run the showers. Fill up tubs and watch how fast they drain. Make sure the water heater gives you hot water. Try the garbage disposal too.
Look under each sink for drips or wet spots. Check pipes near washing machines and dish washers.
Take a good look at the power box on the wall. Make sure all wires look neat and the labels are clear.
These simple checks can find problems that might cost you money later. It's better to know about them before you buy the house.
Verifying Included Items Remain
Check that everything you bought with the house is still there. Look at your signed agreement and walk around the house to make sure all items stayed put and work well.
Check these things first:
- Big kitchen items you bought (like the fridge, dishwasher, stove, and microwave)
- Things that can't move (like window shades, TV wall mounts, and built-in shelves)
- Extra stuff you asked for (like home alarms, pool tools, and garage door buttons)
If you can't find something or if it's broken, tell your agent right away.
Don't sign any final papers until you know everything you paid for is there and works.
Dealing With Discovered Issues
When you look at your new home one last time, you might find some problems. You could see things that are broken or missing. This is normal, so stay calm.
Take pictures of any problems you find. Write down what you see too. This will help you remember everything.
Here's what to do when you find different problems:
- Small breaks – Ask for money to fix it
- Things that are gone – Wait to buy until they're back
- Things that don't work – Get an expert to look at it
- Big problems – Talk to a lawyer
Call your agent right away when you find any issues. They'll talk to the seller about fixing things.
Your agent might:
- Get money to fix problems
- Wait to finish buying until things are fixed
- Ask for a lower price
Don't sign any final papers until all the big problems are fixed. Make sure you get all fixes in writing.
Legal Rights And Protections
You have important rights when buying a home. Let's make sure you know them before your final walk through the house.
The seller must give you the home in good shape – just like when you first saw it. Things can't be broken or missing.
You can:
- Stop the sale if you find big problems
- Ask the seller to fix things or give you money for damages
- Walk away if the seller didn't fix what they promised
If you see anything wrong during your walk through, tell your lawyer right away. Don't wait until after you buy the house. Your lawyer will help protect you and make sure you get what you paid for.
Remember: The house should look just like it did when you agreed to buy it. Normal wear is okay, but nothing should be damaged or taken away.
