Doing a Final Walk Through On A Home
Buying a home is an exciting time, and finding the right home for you and your family can be a process. Once you have found the right one, the excitement of making all the plans necessary to purchase it can be overwhelming. There are so many details to attend to, it is surprisingly easy to look over some of the most basic yet important ones. When purchasing a home, one of the last things you will do is a final walk through of the house. While many people tend to rush through this process, taking the time to do a full and thorough final walk through can not only save you time, money, and headaches in the future, but it can help ensure your new home is all you hoped and thought it would be.
Scheduling a Final Walk
Once you have chosen your new home, had the property inspected, and gotten your mortgage and down payment in place, one of the final steps prior to settlement is to take a final walk through of the property. It may have been weeks since you actually viewed the home, and this may be your first look at the property without the seller’s furnishings or fixtures in place. According to Realtor.com, you should schedule your walk through within 24 hours of closing. Once you sign the settlement papers the home will be your responsibility, and in the event of any last minute damage to the home, you want to make sure you are not left holding the bill. If your seller had agreed to make repairs to the home, schedule two walk throughs, one several weeks before closing to ensure the repairs were completed and done properly, then another right before you close.
Tips for Your Final Walk Through
According to Money Crashers, buyers often use the final walk through on a new home to plan where they will put furnishings in the home, or to decide who gets what room. Rather than using the walk through as a chance to make design plans, buyers should use this time to ensure all repairs have been completed and that the condition of the home is as agreed upon in the terms of the offer. When doing a final walk through, be sure and check the following:
- Turn on any appliances that are part of the sale to make sure they are in working order. Check light switches, ceiling fans, garage door openers to make sure they work.
- Check the water pressure in the bathrooms and sinks, and flush all toilets to ensure they work properly. Check the pipes under the sink and in the basement to ensure there are no leaks.
- Turn on the central heat and air conditioning, and linger long enough to ensure they are working properly.
- Make sure home security keypads work, and that any remote controlled lighting or other devices are functioning properly.
- Check to make sure all light fixtures and switches are in place and working properly.
- Make sure all areas of the home, including the garage, refrigerator, closets, and yards, are clean and free of debris.
Contact Our Experienced Real Estate Attorneys
Buying a home is a huge investment, and you need someone on your side, looking out for your best interests and making sure your assets are protected. At Cavallo & Cavallo, our experienced New York real estate attorneys can guide you through the home buying process, helping you to get the home of your dreams at a price you can afford. With offices in the Bronx and Westchester, we are your neighborhood law firm, providing efficient and effective legal service to handle all your home buying needs.
