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Final Walk-Through Guide for Homebuyers
After looking at countless Augusta homes for sale, you've finally found your perfect house. The paperwork is all drawn up, and you're just about to close. But wait! First, you need to do your final walk-through. You've been through the house plenty of times, but the way it is right now is the way it will be when you buy it. It's important to make sure that everything is in order.
What are you looking for? How do you make sure everything is the way it's supposed to be? Our real estate agents will be with you to ensure things go smoothly, but it's also important to understand the process yourself, so you know what's going on and why. Here's a guide to doing your final walk-through.
What to Bring
First, bring your real estate agent. They're your guide through the house and can walk you through everything. DON'T bring the previous owners. This is your opportunity to look over the house independently and without bias.
You should also bring your final contract, which lists everything that should be there, and your inspection summary, which lists any promised repairs. Bring a notepad to make notes of what you find and your phone to take pictures. You should also bring your phone charger. It's handy if your phone dies, but it also provides another benefit, which we'll cover later.
Verification
Take your inspection summary and check each repair. There should be receipts for everything that's been done. Make sure everything is working the way it should. Go through the contract to see everything you're supposed to be getting with the house. Any appliances or furnishings? Are they leaving the window blinds? The shelving?
Kitchen and Bathroom
Check for water damage or signs of mold. In the bathroom, check under the sinks and around the showers. In the kitchen, check under the sink and around the dishwasher and refrigerator. Those are the places water is most likely to accumulate.
Make sure the toilets flush and the faucets have good pressure. Make sure there's hot water as well. Make sure the stove and oven work and that they're connected to the gas or electricity, as needed. Run the dishwasher through a full cycle to make sure it works as expected.
Basic Inspection
Open and close all the windows and doors to be sure they close and latch properly, and lock if they're supposed to. Make sure they open smoothly and don't stick. Use your phone charger to plug your phone into each of the house's electrical outlets and make sure they're fully functional. Turn on both the heating and air conditioning and make sure you can get both hot and cold air when needed.
Check the garage, too, for signs of damage, mold, etc. Finally, check for signs of bugs, rodents, and other pests throughout the house. Is there dry rot? Mouse droppings? Does the wood feel weak or spongy?
Outdoor Inspection
Check the sprinklers, the hose, the gates, and anything else that's on the property. Make sure there's no unexpected damage to the driveway or the walkways and that the landscaping looks the way it was promised to.
The walk-through can be a little overwhelming, but our real estate agents will be with you every step of the way to guide you through it and make sure you're getting everything you're supposed to. Contact us to learn more!