You’re about to close on your new home.

SUPER exciting! But don’t let your excitement cloud your business sense. During the home inspection and negotiations there are bound to be things that were agreed upon and while it’s nice to have trust in other people, it’s also important to go to the closing table confident that you are getting what you’re paying for.

That’s why a final walk-through is crucial.

A final walk-through is your chance to check out the house one last time before signing on the dotted line. In order to be sure you have given the owner sufficient time to take care of everything and that you are seeing the home in its’ most current state, schedule to do your walk-through as close to the actual closing as possible (as in the day before or the day of). Here are some of the things that you will want to confirm.

• While you should have received receipts for all repairs and had the option for a re-inspection, now is the time to see for yourself that all repairs have been completed. It is best to bring a list along with you of everything you want to check out to avoid arriving at the house and losing focus as you try to figure out which direction your sofa is going to face or what color you want to paint your daughters room.
• Is there any new damage that was not there before? This could be caused by the previous homeowner on their moving day. Many people hire moving companies so they may not even be aware that the damage has been done. Regardless of the cause of the damage, repairs are not your responsibility.
• By closing day, you will have already changed the utilities into your name and had them turned on to assure a smooth transition. Take a few minutes to go through the house and check the electricity, water, and any other service that should be in working order.
• Look around the entire property. While your main focus will be on the house, you need to walk around the entire property and make sure everything is okay. Did the moving truck drive over the in-ground sprinkler system? You never know - so it’s good to have a peek at everything.
• Did you have items in the negotiations that were to stay with the home: stove, refrigerator, washer and dryer? Now is the time to take inventory of those items and make sure they did not inadvertently get moved.

As you can see, this is a lot to take note of so be sure to bring a notepad and pencil. Don’t rely on your memory. Also, snap pictures of things that have you concerned. Documentation is your friend!

For more information on the final walk-through process and other tips you need to know on closing day, visit us at EREALTY & ASSOCIATES, INC. and request your free Home Buying Guide. No obligation now or ever.