Assurance Home Inspection Group, LLC

InterNACHI Certified Home Inspections in Northwest Florida.

Serving the following counties,

Jackson, Bay, Calhoun, Gadsen, Gulf, Holmes, Leon, Liberty, Wakulla, Walton, Washington.

Experienced, Certified, Professional. Your complete Home Inspection Service.

850.209.4370 or 850.209.4405

 

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Your Final Walk-Through

After the Home Inspection and before you close on your new home, you need to do a final walk-through.

Taking the time to carefully inspect areas of concern your Home Inspector has pointed out and areas that have been agreed upon needing attention before closing. 

What It Is and Why It’s Important
Basically, a final-walk-through is just like it sounds.  Shortly before your closing date, typically 5-7 days, you physically walk through and inspect the home you are buying.  The main purpose of this inspection is to verify that the home is being delivered to you in the condition you expect and agreed to in the purchase contract. 

  • Pay particular attention to areas that were specifically identified by the Home Inspector as cluttered, partially and wholly inaccessible. Many times sellers intentionally clutter areas, cover with large rugs or make areas inaccessible knowing most Inspectors will not remove these items to inspect areas behind them. The Standards of Practice most Home Inspectors follow state items will not be moved to inspect.

  • The condition of the property has not substantially changed since you agreed to purchase

  • All required repairs have been completed or are in the process of being done

  • That items that the seller agreed to leave have not been removed and all items that the seller agreed to remove are gone

The final walk-through is extremely important because it is your last chance before the home becomes yours to verify that the sellers have upheld their end of the contract.  If not, this is the time to get any unresolved items addressed.  You lose needed leverage once you close.  It can be difficult to get the seller to comply with what was agreed once you close and they have your money.

What’s Involved?
Start with the outside of the property and work your way through the home from top to bottom.  In addition to looking at condition, repairs, and items remaining or removed, pay particular attention to key areas such as:

  • Major systems and appliances – Confirm that these components that you agreed on, have not been substituted and are in good working order

  • Attic and basements/crawl spaces – Look for discarded items and potential problem areas

  • Walls and floors – Check for any damage that may have occurred when the sellers moved or that may not have been obvious when you originally looked at the home

  • Exterior – Check the condition of windows, doors, sprinklers, gutters, and landscaping

Take your time completing the walk-through.  You do not want to be in a rush and miss something significant.  It is prudent to reference your purchase contract and your Inspection Report as you inspect the property.  That way you are not relying on memory for all of the specified conditions.  Keep in mind that you do not have to do a walk-through alone.  If you are working with a real estate agent, consider having that person accompany you.  You can also determine if it is to your advantage to have your Home Inspector do the walk through with you.

As you inspect, have your report handy, make note of any issues that still need to be resolved in order to meet the conditions in your contract.  Bring this to the seller’s attention NOW and work out remedies that are acceptable to you. Get it in writing! You should try to get everything squared away before you close.  If this doesn’t work out for your circumstances, try not to worry.  It is not uncommon for buyers and sellers to agree on an amount of money to be held in escrow for repairs/remedies to be completed following closing.  Consult with an attorney or your closing agent for advice. This is about you and your family, do what is right for you.

You can see that a final walk-through is an important part of the process and should not be missed or taken lightly.  Make sure you include a clause in your purchase contract that ensures you have the right to complete this step.  Then take the time to exercise that right.

If you find anything that appears to be a major concern, CALL YOUR HOME INSPECTOR! 

A return visit may be necessary.

Assurance Home Inspection Group, LLC.

P.O. Box 471 • Greenwood, Florida 32443

850.209.4370 or 850.209.4405

FAX 850.482.3135