For many homebuyers, a walk through inspection seems like a waste of time, especially to those who have already had a professional house inspection done. In truth, a walkthrough home inspection is never a bad idea. Even with brand new homes, a walk through home inspection can save a lot of money and aggravation.



It is only with a walkthrough inspection that you can determine the working condition of a home at any given time. In other words, suppose you had a professional building inspection done on a resale home you were buying and decided not to do a walk through inspection before taking possession of the home. What happens if you move in and notice missing fixtures or other damage?

In such cases, a walk through inspection, immediately before taking possession of the home, would have shown the exact condition of the house at that time. That house might have had the most thorough home inspection done some time before, but that does not mean that nothing happens in the mean time.

There are many other ways that a walk through home inspection can help a home buyer protect his investment. Following a full building inspection, work is often required to put the house into a condition that meets the requirements of the sale. If not, the buyer will have extra costs beyond the price of the home. In other words, any repairs outlined following a full home inspection could affect how much a buyer is willing to pay for a home. If substantial or expensive repairs are needed and the seller is unwilling to make them, the buyer would need to adjust his purchase offer. When a seller offers to do the repairs, it is still the buyer's responsibility to make sure the repairs were done. There is no better way to confirm that repairs were done, and that no new repairs are needed, than with a walk through inspection.

A walk through inspection immediately before possession is particularly a smart idea if sellers remained in the home following a full building inspection. Things can go wrong with a home at any time, especially if it continues to be occupied after an inspection. However, problems can arise even if sellers vacate a home before a building inspection, and the home sits empty for a period of time.

In winter, water pipes can freeze in a home where the thermostat has been turned down or off. Vandalism might also be an issue. In any case, just because a home has been unoccupied does not mean it will remain as you left it following an inspection. Again, the only way to make sure the home is in the condition you expect it to be in is if you conduct a walk through inspection before taking possession.

Before beginning a walk through inspection, make a list of everything that needs to be inspected ? and you should inspect everything. Every light fixture in the home should be turned on and off. This not only makes sure that the electrical system works properly, but it forces you to check every fixture and ensure that all those you expected to be included with the house are indeed still there. Run the water, hot and cold, from every tap and faucet, including any that are outside, and flush all the toilets. Again, not only does this confirm the plumbing is in good condition, but you can also check sinks and drain pipes for leaks. Operate all appliances; make sure the refrigerator is on and cool; check all the heating elements on the stove and make sure heating and air conditioning systems are working. Check even the obvious items like doors by opening and closing each one to make sure they operate smoothly and latch properly.

It might sound like a lot to do in a single walk through inspection, but it does not take as long as it seems and it is important for your peace of mind. A home is the single largest purchase most of us will ever make, yet there are no guarantees that something isn't wrong with the home. A home inspection, including a walk through inspection immediately before you take possession of your home, is your best safeguard against unexpected problems with your new home.