Walkthroughs: A time well spent before closing on a new home.

When buying a new house, one of the most important steps before finalizing the home purchase is conducting a final inspection – otherwise known as a final walkthrough. Walkthroughs typically occur as early as a few days or as late as a few hours from closing on the home purchase. A home buyer may be cut up in all the home buying excitement and sometimes fail to give a final good look at the home they are purchasing. In the case of a new house, the buyer may have chosen special upgrades or custom details to be installed during the construction time. During the walkthrough, the buyer can then confirm and document any modifications or repairs that needs to be done by the builder prior to closing. n
In order to conduct a proper walkthrough, here are some pointers to keep in mind:

• Checklist: Make a check list of all the items or areas that need to be checked throughout the house, both inside as well as outside the house.
• Sales Contract: Most important piece of document. Bring a copy of the sales contract at the time of the walkthrough to go over the details of your sales contract.
• Home Warranty: Discuss with the home builder any home warranties that may be included in your purchase or have been purchased separately.
• Leaks: Run the water and flush toilets and check for leaks. Do the same whether it is a kitchen or bathroom sink, look under sink cabinets for proper plumbing.
• Fixtures: Check all light fixtures ensuring that there is proper lighting.
• Garage Door: Open and close the garage door and check that it is working properly.
• Pool/Spa: Inspect areas such as the pool and spa and most important make sure the pumps are working correctly and that there is no visible leakage.
• Check attics, crawlspace or basements: These are areas that are ignored many times or omitted during the walkthrough process.
• Debris/Trash: Make sure that all debris and trash are removed from the premises as this will become the buyer’s responsibility once the closing takes place.

The same does not apply when buying a re-sale home:

When conducting a walkthrough, the buyer has to remember that the same rules do not apply when buying a re-sale home. In the case of a re-sale home, it is advisable that once a decision has been made to purchase the property, an immediate inspection by a certified Home Inspection company should be done. With a re-sale home or vacant home, a more thorough inspection should be done during a walkthrough, checking for areas or problems that may arise. This is especially true of homes that have been unoccupied for a certain period of time. In the case of a home that has occupants, the buyer will have the chance to discuss with the current owner any issues that have been spotted during the inspection and have it rectified before the final closing.

Even though the buyer can bypass a walkthrough altogether, it is extremely important as a buyer that a proper walkthrough is done before finalizing the home purchase. It is also a way of making sure that the buyer is not surprised by any problems big or small once they take possession of the home.

Leave the emotions at the door and be focused:

The buyer needs to keep their focus and realize that this is an important step in the home buying process. In spotting issues and getting them corrected, whether is a new home or a re-sale home, the buyer can save potential headaches and expenses in the long run. Nevertheless, the purchase of a new home should be an enjoyable process and one in which the buyer should take pride. Taking steps to make that happen by conducting a proper walkthrough is a wise step on the buyer’s part. n