| What an exciting day; the day you close on your | | | | home as close to the closing as possible. I suggest |
| new home! A few days before, your Realtor had | | | | to my clients that we schedule the walk-through |
| called to schedule the date and time of the final | | | | immediately prior to the closing. We meet one |
| walk-through. You thought, "This is great! I needed | | | | hour before at the home to review the condition |
| to check the paint color in the bedroom and | | | | of the property and then go directly to the |
| measure the windows for blinds." But that is not | | | | closing. Any problems are noted and I immediately |
| what the final walk-through is for. This is the last | | | | contact the seller's agent so they have time to |
| opportunity for you to see the home prior to | | | | discuss the situation with their seller before our |
| closing. It is an appointment not to be missed or | | | | arrival. |
| glossed over. It is a time to stay focused on your | | | | The walk-through just prior to closing doesn't |
| investment and examine the condition of the | | | | eliminate every surprise that a new buyer might |
| property one last time. | | | | face. But it significantly reduces the chance of |
| The purchase agreement that you sign in the | | | | closing on an unknown disaster. Here is a quick |
| state of Minnesota requires the seller to warrant | | | | guide of some of the areas to consider during a |
| that the central air conditioning, heating, plumbing | | | | final walk through |
| and wiring systems on the property are in | | | | Final Walk-Through Guide |
| working order on the date of closing. It also | | | | Double Check the Paperwork |
| insures you the rights to a "walk-through" review | | | | **Are all work orders complete? Are you |
| of the property prior to closing. This is not | | | | satisfied with the results? |
| something to forego. | | | | Exterior Review |
| Last year there was a news report of first-time | | | | **Check for any changes to exterior since |
| buyers who headed with all of their belongings | | | | purchase agreement. |
| directly to their new home after closing. They | | | | Plumbing Review |
| intended to move right in and enjoy their dream | | | | **Flush all toilets. |
| home but arrived to find a nightmare. Sometime | | | | **Check all faucets for water pressure and |
| since seeing the home and writing a purchase | | | | temperature. |
| agreement, a pipe had burst and flooded the | | | | **Check operation of all appliances |
| entire home. They had considered the final | | | | Interior Rooms Review |
| walk-through unnecessary since they had just | | | | **Check for any changes to interior since |
| seen the home days ago. Now they were the | | | | purchase agreement. |
| proud but frustrated owners of a huge mess. | | | | Electrical Review |
| Although they do have legal remedies for having | | | | **Check all lights, outlets, bathroom fans and |
| the home repaired, these buyers would have | | | | kitchen fans. |
| been in a much better position if they negotiated | | | | Furnace and Air Conditioning Review |
| with the seller prior to closing. Or in the case of | | | | Attic and Basement Review |
| this extreme damage, the buyers could have not | | | | **Check for changes in any stained, damp or wet |
| signed the final documents to purchase the home. | | | | areas. |
| Every buyer should do a final walk-through on the | | | | |