What You Need to Look Out for in Your Final Walk Through

Once you’ve found the right home to fit your needs you want time to go fast so you can move in. But first you need to wait until your mortgage goes through, your home inspection and home appraisal are completed, and your title insurance policy is in your hands. After all these things are done, you need to go give the house one final walk-through. Usually, this happens a few hours or a few days before the closing. It’s your last opportunity to make sure that all of the repairs you negotiated have been completed and everything is as stated in the contract. Here are some things you should look out for.

Be prepared:  Before you go to perform your final walk-through, you need to prepare yourself. Bring with you your contract to verify that all the terms and requirements have been met, a notepad to take some notes, and camera (your phone is fine) to take photos just in case you find some uncompleted repairs or damages. You should also bring your phone charger with you to try out the electrical outlets. Lastly, your real estate agent should also be by your side to guide you and answer all your questions.

Completed repairs: The first thing you should check is that all the repairs you previously agreed upon with the seller are complete. Verify that the quality of the work is good and that it won’t break as soon as you move in. Ask the seller for warranties for all the jobs. Don’t be embarrassed about asking for what you want.

Plumbing system and bathrooms: You need to flush every toilet and open every faucet to make sure everything functions. Also, check that there’s hot water and that no faucet leaks when you close it. Pay close attention to any sign of mold. Mold can grow in a matter of days.

Electrical system: You can’t live in the dark! Be sure to verify that all the electrical systems are fully functioning. Turn the switches on and off. Make sure that the circuit breaker is clean and working. Finally, be sure to plug in your phone chargers in all electrical outlets to confirm they’re safe and working. If the sockets are not functioning, there might be a problem with the wiring.

Issues with the title: The state of the title has nothing to do with the physical shape of the house, but by this point, you need to know if there are any liens placed on the property. Once the house is under your name you’re responsible for any legal situation it’s involved in. You need to get your title insurance before the closing so the seller can work out any issue concerning the title. Contact Advanced Title Company- Title Insurance Agency at to learn all you need to know about title insurance in Grand Junction, CO.

Doors and windows: You don’t want to live in a house where the windows and doors don’t shut properly. You must test them out to make sure they close completely and that they’re not making any squeaky or creaky sounds. And don’t forget to check the window screens as well.

Major appliances: If your contract includes any major appliances such as a stove, garbage disposal, a dishwasher, or something like that, you need to make sure they’re in full working condition. Turn them on to check they’re functioning. If they’re not, let the seller know. While testing the appliances, test the heating/air conditioning system as well. Repairing those systems can end up being very costly, better make sure they work so you don’t have to deal with them.

Cleanliness: Don’t expect a picture-perfect, clean home waiting for you to move in. The house should at least be free of debris and furniture when you go for the final walk through. Most real estate contracts state that the house should be left just “broom clean.” Unless your contract says so, you can forget about finding the place in pristine condition. Get ready to do some cleaning.

Check for new damage: It’s possible that the previous owners accidentally caused some damage while moving out. Check out for any new holes in the drywall, scratched floors or walls, and let the ex-owners know so they can fix the problem.

Be sure that your home title is safe and you won’t have to deal with unexpected owners claiming your home. Call Advanced Title Company-Title Insurance Agency at (970) 255-7677 to get your title insurance process started.