Final Walk-Through Inspection Checklist and Tips for Home Buyers

A final walk-through inspection checklist helps ensure that home buyers remember what to look for as they perform the pre-closing walk-through. Your North Carolina real estate agent will arrange a time to take one last look at the North Carolina home you are purchasing. Ideally, this will be held on the day of your closing, before signing paperwork and taking possession of your new home. Use these final walk-through tips and checklist to identify any last-minute problems that should be taken care of before settlement.

Bring These Items to Your Final Walk-Through Inspection

On the day of your walk-through, you and your real estate agent will want to have a few specific items on hand. Buyers should take a copy of their contract, the home inspection report and the seller’s’ property condition disclosure form. Also, make sure you have something with you to jot down notes and take pictures. Your smartphone or a tablet should work just fine. Optional items to bring to the walk-through are an inexpensive electrical tester for checking outlets and thermometer to check air temps at HVAC vents.

Goal of Your Pre-Closing Walk-Through Property Inspection

A buyer’s primary goal for the final property walk-through inspection is to make sure the property is in an acceptable condition so that the closing can proceed as planned. Home buyers and their agent will check to see that all agreed-upon repairs have been made, that everything in the home is in working condition and that all other terms of the contract have been met. If there is an issue, this is the time to address it and find a resolution before the settlement.

Walk-Through Inspection Checklist for Home Buyers

Below is a list of steps and items for your pre-closing walk-through property inspection. Keep in mind that they are listed in no particular order.

• Check all appliances to ensure they are working
• Turn all light switches on and off
• Flush all toilets and look for leaks
• Use electrical tester to check outlets
• Open and close doors and windows
• Turn on and off all faucets and showers and look for leaks
• Check disposal and kitchen exhaust fans
• Run air conditioning / heat and check temperatures at vents
• Inspect exterior of home
• Visual inspection of interior walls, ceilings and floors
• Test home security keypads and other remote/keypad systems
• Turn ceiling fans on and off
• Check functionality of automatic and manual garage doors
• Any other items your real estate agent recommends

Besides the final walk-through checklist items listed above, buyers should also check to make sure all agreed-to repairs and upgrades were not only completed but completed to your satisfaction. Make sure no fixtures were removed, and any items the sellers agreed to leave to the buyer were left at the property as per the contract. Also, check to see that the sellers did not leave behind personal items not listed in the contract and that the home is clean.

Problems Found During Walk-Through Inspection

What happens if you find issues or discover the seller has not followed through with repairs or adhered to some of the terms in the contract? The action you take often depends on the severity of the problem. You may be able to overlook two missing window screens while a leaky water heater that is causing water damage needs to be addressed immediately.

In the case of significant and potentially costly problems, you and your agent should contact the sellers’ agent and negotiate a solution to the problem. Remember, the seller has the option to refuse, and you have the option to walk away from the deal. This is why, at times like this, you want an experienced, proven North Carolina real estate agent by your side to offer you advice and help you make informed decisions.

Have any other questions about the final walk-through inspection checklist or process? Contact us, and we’ll be glad to help. Ready to start your search for your dream home? Remember, the best way to buy your next home in Raleigh, Chapel Hill, and Durham is to buy your home with Red Door Company – the best real estate company in North Carolina.