One of the last steps in the closing process when you are buying a home it is a final walkthrough. During the final walkthrough, you check around the house to make sure everything is in order and as you expect it to be based on your previous inspection.
This is the last opportunity you will have before signing all the papers and transferring the closing costs and down payment to make sure that the home you will be getting was truthfully represented to you and has not changed since the inspection took place.
Last Steps in the Closing Process When You Buy a Home
To help you make the most of the final walkthrough, here is a checklist of things to lookout for.
- Repairs. If there was anything in the home in need of repair during the inspection, you might have stipulated that the seller take care of it. During the final walkthrough, you should check every item on the list for repairs. Don’t take anything on faith.
- Seller’s possessions. The seller should no longer be living in the house at this point, unless you agreed to give them extra time to vacate. So, by now, all of their items should be gone. Verify whether this is the case. You do not want to be stuck with the seller’s possessions after they have left, because at that point, you will be the one who is saddled with getting rid of them. In some cases, that could be challenging and expensive (i.e. having to pay hefty fees to recycle certain types of items).
- Appliances. The seller probably agreed to leave certain appliances to you as the purchaser of the home. Check to make sure that every appliance in question is still present and works properly.
- Plumbing. Make sure that the plumbing all still works, and has not sprung any leaks. Plumbing damage can be very expensive to repair, especially if leaks are causing water damage and mold in the meantime.
- Electrical. As with plumbing, issues with the home’s electrical systems can be very pricey. So, you should test outlets throughout the home and light switches during the final walkthrough.
- Mold. It does not take much time at all for mildew or mold to grow. For that reason, even if you did not spot any signs of it during the home inspection, you should check for it one more time before you close. The bathroom, kitchen and basement are key areas to focus on, but mold can spring up anywhere.
- Debris. There could be dust and debris left over from when the seller moved out their possessions, or from when they were doing repairs. In either case, you want to make sure all of that debris has been cleared out before you start moving in.
- New damage. It is possible that since the last time you saw the house, there has been damage you do not know about. Maybe a tree recently fell and damaged the roof during a lightning storm, for example, or perhaps the seller scratched the hardwood floors when moving items out of the house. The only way to know is to be on the lookout for signs of damage during the final walkthrough.
- Doors and windows. This is also a good time to check to make sure that all doors and windows still open and close properly and are secure and sealed well against the elements. Do not forget to check the garage door as well.
- HVAC. Heating and air conditioning can be very expensive to repair. So, it is worth double checking to make sure these systems are working correctly before you move into your new home.
- Pests. Check to see if there is any evidence of pests such as termites or rodents. You do not want to have to battle these right after moving into your new home.
- Outdoor features. Finally, while you are focusing on the interior of the home, do not forget about the exterior. Check to see whether anything has changed in the yard or garden, especially if some of the plants are adding to the home’s value.
Have More Questions About the Final Walkthrough?
We know you may have more questions about the final walkthrough and what you can expect from the closing process when you purchase a home in Virginia.
First Residential Mortgage is here to answer your questions. To get started now, please call us today at (540) 838-5868 to schedule your consultation.
