Many buyers have wondered about the necessity of the final walk through. The logic is that they already know what they are getting, there is little time to organize things with the upcoming move and closing is imminent. Why take the time to go and view the home one more time? Easy. To make sure everything is as it should be. Sometimes things happen to a home during the time that there is nobody there. Do you really want to take that chance?
Let's say that you are purchasing a home and have made it through the offer process and are now awaiting the closing. There were some repairs that needed to be done by the seller and there have been workers in the home seeing to the fixes. What if one of those people caused some damage in the home? Maybe a tap was left on and you now have an indoor pool? This is of course, a worst-case scenario but with such a large purchase can you really afford to take that chance? Here is another scenario; what if the seller was covering up damage with art or wall hangings that you could not see during the previous showings? Because the final walk through is done after the sellers have moved out, any hidden damage will be uncovered and visible. What if the sellers caused damage to the home while moving particularly large objects from the home? You never know what can happen.
You will also be checking to see if all of the subjects of the contact have been fulfilled by the sellers. Hopefully you are dealing with sellers that are above the board, but there is always the chance that something may have been overlooked either by mistake or on purpose and the final walk-through is your last chance to make sure that you are getting the home that you paid for, in the condition that was agreed upon in the sale. Don't sell yourself short and take chances with such a huge purchase. This is going to be your home, likely for many years and you want your home to be safe, clean and in good repair and that all appliances, fixtures and other odds and ends work properly.
Final Walk Through Checklist
Walk-Throughs
What is a walk-through? What is its purpose? Is it important or just a formality? Can it be used to re-negotiate the terms of the contract at the last minute? Let’s look.
Typically the buyer just before settlement conducts a final walk-through. The idea is to be sure the seller is delivering the home to the buyer in the condition they agreed to under the terms of their contract. Therefore it includes checking on anything the contract says about the condition of the property.
One requirement often seen in contracts about the condition of the home at time of settlement and possession by the new owner is that it will be “in substantially the same condition" as on the date of the contract. Another frequent requirement is that it will be “broom clean." Still another is that all the working parts of the home (such as heating and cooling systems, plumbing, appliances that convey, electrical systems, etc.) be “in normal working order."
Sometimes contracts and addenda to them require things like new carpeting to be installed, gutters to be cleaned out, and HVAC systems to be “professionally serviced and filters changed."
Read Your Contract
It’s a good idea for both buyer and seller to review their contract paying attention to what is said about the condition in which the home will be delivered. Those are the things that should get attention at the walk-through.
While walk-throughs are a formality of closing or settlement, they are not something you should take lightly. This is your chance to get any problems straightened out.
Both Eric Bramlett & Raynor James are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Eric Bramlett has sinced written about articles on various topics from . Eric Bramlett is a realtor & broker servicing the market. Eric provides elite service and information to clients interested in homes and propertie. Eric Bramlett's top article . to your Favourites.
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