Buyers: Don't Skip the Final Walk-Through!

Congratulations! You're about to close on your dream home. It's spacious, beautiful, and it has that luxurious screened in porch you've been dreaming about for years. You can't wait to move in and begin unpacking everything! With so many exciting things to think about, performing a final walk-through of your new home is usually the last thing on any buyer's mind. You've seen the house plenty of times; why do you need to inspect it again?


The final walk-through is not another inspection, though. It's a chance to make sure everything is in the condition you and the previous owners agreed upon. A thorough walk-through should be performed 2-3 days before closing. After you close, any problems you discover will be your responsibility to fix, not the previous owners.

Final Walk-through DOs and DON'Ts
DO:
  • Flip on all the light switches to make sure the lights work
  • Turn on all appliances (dishwasher, washing machine, etc) and make sure you get the owner's manuals for each
  • Flush the toilets
  • Open and close all windows and doors to make sure that they all function smoothly, that there are no broken screens, etc
  • Run the heating, air conditionering, exhaust fans, and garbage disposal
  • Check ceilings, walls, floors, and doors for any scratches/damage that may have occurred as the previous owners moved out
  • Check basement, attic, closets, etc to make sure the owners have removed all of their belongings
  • Run the water in all showers, sinks, and baths to check for leaks
  • Make sure all the breakers are labeled - that alone will save you many headaches in the future!
DON'T:
  • Hesitate to ask the previous owners any questions about the home, such as what repairs (if anything) they never got around to
  • Get distracted imagining where you're going to put your furniture - there will be plenty of time for that later!
  • Hurry. Give yourself as much time as you need to be confident that you have checked everything thoroughly.
What Happens If You Find Something Wrong?
Taking the time to critically evaluate the condition of your new home ahead of time will help prevent any surprises after you move in. Conducting the final walk-through before the closing gives you time to make any necessary repairs while the seller is still involved. Contact your real estate agent and let them know of any damages, and they will help you get everything worked out. After move in day, you'll be able to focus all your attention on decorating and organizing your dream home!

Now is the perfect time to buy a Lake of the Ozarks condo or home.  For real estate at Lake of the Ozarks, contact the eXp Realty team. We feature lakefront homes, condos, lake lots, and commercial real estate at Lake of the Ozarks. For more information on properties for sale at the Lake of the Ozarks area visit our website to check out all the available properties!


2011 REALTOR Salesperson of the Year
Missouri Association of Realtors

752 Bagnell Dam Blvd., Suite A
Lake Ozark, MO 65049

Office | 573.365.1555
Fax | 573.365.1766

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