Whenever you’re buying a home, you’ve to make sure that the property is in the same condition as you last saw it and this is exactly where the importance of a final walk-through comes in. This step also lets you verify whether or not the improvements or repairs have been carried out by the seller if agreed. Whether you’re buying the home from a reputable “we buy houses in NJ” company or from a company that comes with the tagline “sell my house fast NJ”, you need to keep track of lots of things. Therefore, it’s greatly beneficial to maintain a checklist during a final walk-through.
Take a look at this comprehensive checklist we’ve created to ensure you never miss a thing.
Double-Check All Repair
It’s essential to take a thorough look at all final repairs before anything else. Make sure all repairs negotiated by the seller have been fully completed and that the receipts and warranties for those works are there. If anything goes wrong, you’ll be able to follow up with the company or person who did the job.
Inspect the Bathrooms
If you became overwhelmed by the outstanding features of the home and forgot to check the bathrooms in your earlier visits, this is your final chance to do so. Make sure the bathrooms are fully functioning and are free from water damage, mold, etc. Check the faucets and make sure they’ve hot water and don’t leak when you turn them off. Also, check to toilets out to ensure they aren’t running.
Make Sure Items Are There According To the Purchase Agreement
Your purchase agreement essentially mentions what items are included in the sale and what aren’t. If possible, bring the agreement along or a list of the items so you can check them out. Make sure that items that were to stay don’t go missing. Remember, items such as built-in furniture, light fixtures, doorknobs, etc usually stay unless otherwise stated in the contract.
Test the Appliances
Check all the appliances to make sure they’re in full working condition. Focus on things like ovens, dishwasher, washer and dryer, etc. Do this with the heating and air conditioning as well.
Make Sure the House Is In Broom Clean Condition
The house has to be vacuumed, swept, and free of additional stuff or debris after the seller moved out. Thoroughly check cabinets, closets, basements, garages, etc to make sure you aren’t receiving any unwanted thing from the seller. If you observe any such thing, contact the seller to have them removed.
Final Words
Once you’re done checking the interior of the house, be sure to observe the outside too. If the landscaping seems to be as agreed by the seller, check out systems like gates, irrigation systems, etc. If you find anything has gone wrong, just let the seller know about it and ask him/her seller decently to fix it. Usually, sellers want to make the closing a smooth process so just flagging the issue should help you get the job done.
