formation that a walk through inspection will give you.

Take the time to create a checklist for your final walk through to ensure that nothing has been missed. Some items on your list may include the following:

• Make sure all debris and garbage has been removed from the property.

• Check the working condition of all appliances (oven, stove, refrigerator, garbage disposal, microwave, washer/dryer, etc.).

• Check bathrooms (ventila

The final walk-through inspection is a very important part of the home buying process that many buyers forego, most often because they are pressed for time. Don’t skip this step!

Unless you’re a very seasoned home buyer, you may not be aware of everything that you don’t know. You may be asking yourself: “What is a final walk-through and why would I want to do that?” Well, it is very important that you do so because it could save you literally thousands of dollars. The walk-through is usually conducted within five days to a few hours after closing. It’s not to negotiate any new contract changes but simply to make sure that the agreed-on repairs were done properly and the condition of the property is in order. Not doing so could lead to many unexpected surprises and expenses that you’ll be stuck with, otherwise. Do not allow this to happen to you.

Homes that sit vacant for any length of time could have a variety of things happen between your last visit and the closing. Many people such as home inspectors, exterminators, plumbers, electricians, other real estate Agents, or even other home buyers may have been in the home. Sometimes, drains are plugged during extermination and are left that way with a dripping faucet. As a result, you may find that your bathroom or kitchen has flooded. People who have been through the home may have also left the lights, heat, or A/C on; doors and windows open; toilets running, etc. It is also possible that vandals may have broken into the home and totally trashed the place or stolen fixtures, etc.

Murphy’s Law seems to come into play here, and if something bad is going to happen, it usually does right before the home closes. The problems that come up do not have to be showstoppers, however. You simply must protect yourself by arming yourself with the information that a walk through inspection will give you.

Take the time to create a checklist for your final walk through to ensure that nothing has been missed. Some items on your list may include the following:

• Make sure all debris and garbage has been removed from the property.

• Check the working condition of all appliances (oven, stove, refrigerator, garbage disposal, microwave, washer/dryer, etc.).

• Check bathrooms (ventilat

sands of dollars. The walk-through is usually conducted within five days to a few hours after closing. It’s not to negotiate any new contract changes but simply to make sure that the agreed-on repairs were done properly and the condition of the property is in order. Not doing so could lead to many unexpected surprises and expenses that you’ll be stuck with, otherwise. Do not allow this to happen to you.

Homes that sit vacant for any length of time could have a variety of things happen between your last visit and the closing. Many people such as home inspectors, exterminators, plumbers, electricians, other real estate Agents, or even other home buyers may have been in the home. Sometimes, drains are plugged during extermination and are left that way with a dripping faucet. As a result, you may find that your bathroom or kitchen has flooded. People who have been through the home may have also left the lights, heat, or A/C on; doors and windows open; toilets running, etc. It is also possible that vandals may have broken into the home and totally trashed the place or stolen fixtures, etc.

Murphy’s Law seems to come into play here, and if something bad is going to happen, it usually does right before the home closes. The problems that come up do not have to be showstoppers, however. You simply must protect yourself by arming yourself with the information that a walk through inspection will give you.

Take the time to create a checklist for your final walk through to ensure that nothing has been missed. Some items on your list may include the following:

• Make sure all debris and garbage has been removed from the property.

• Check the working condition of all appliances (oven, stove, refrigerator, garbage disposal, microwave, washer/dryer, etc.).

• Check bathrooms (ventila

could have a variety of things happen between your last visit and the closing. Many people such as home inspectors, exterminators, plumbers, electricians, other real estate Agents, or even other home buyers may have been in the home. Sometimes, drains are plugged during extermination and are left that way with a dripping faucet. As a result, you may find that your bathroom or kitchen has flooded. People who have been through the home may have also left the lights, heat, or A/C on; doors and windows open; toilets running, etc. It is also possible that vandals may have broken into the home and totally trashed the place or stolen fixtures, etc.

Murphy’s Law seems to come into play here, and if something bad is going to happen, it usually does right before the home closes. The problems that come up do not have to be showstoppers, however. You simply must protect yourself by arming yourself with the information that a walk through inspection will give you.

Take the time to create a checklist for your final walk through to ensure that nothing has been missed. Some items on your list may include the following:

• Make sure all debris and garbage has been removed from the property.

• Check the working condition of all appliances (oven, stove, refrigerator, garbage disposal, microwave, washer/dryer, etc.).

• Check bathrooms (ventila

he lights, heat, or A/C on; doors and windows open; toilets running, etc. It is also possible that vandals may have broken into the home and totally trashed the place or stolen fixtures, etc.

Murphy’s Law seems to come into play here, and if something bad is going to happen, it usually does right before the home closes. The problems that come up do not have to be showstoppers, however. You simply must protect yourself by arming yourself with the information that a walk through inspection will give you.

Take the time to create a checklist for your final walk through to ensure that nothing has been missed. Some items on your list may include the following:

• Make sure all debris and garbage has been removed from the property.

• Check the working condition of all appliances (oven, stove, refrigerator, garbage disposal, microwave, washer/dryer, etc.).

• Check bathrooms (ventila

formation that a walk through inspection will give you.

Take the time to create a checklist for your final walk through to ensure that nothing has been missed. Some items on your list may include the following:

• Make sure all debris and garbage has been removed from the property.

• Check the working condition of all appliances (oven, stove, refrigerator, garbage disposal, microwave, washer/dryer, etc.).

• Check bathrooms (ventilation fan, hot/cold water, faucets, toilets flush).

• Check all light fixtures (go through every room turning them on and off).

• Check for any holes or cracks in the walls or ceilings.

• Check that the garage door openers work.

• Check heating and air conditioning.

• Check that all doors and windows are closed and locked, including any out-buildings. You never know what might have taken up residence in a garage or storage building.

• Check that all agreed-on repairs have been dealt with.

If the home is still occupied right up to closing, do a walk through with your real estate Agent and the seller. The seller can inform you of any quirks about appliances, electricity, plumbing, the neighbor’s dog, etc. Ask the seller for a forwarding address in case you need to contact them about the property for some reason in the future.

If you do find that there are to-dos for the seller to accomplish prior to you owning the property, make sure that you have them listed by your real estate Agent and have the seller sign an addendum to the contract listing the items to be done. You and your real estate Agent can forgo a formal agreement on the items, but if it’s not in writing, and the seller moves out without doing them, it will be next to impossible to have them come back after the fact.

Think about it for a second. Moving, in and of itself, is a major chore, and life seems to become chaotic and difficult through the entire process. People also develop a careless or carefree attitude when they are removing themselves from a situation. The seller won’t care about you and what is now your house anymore. Also, if you have all the items listed and signed off by the seller, the copy you give the seller will act as a gentle reminder of things yet to be finished.

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