Getting Your Home Ready For
The Final Walk-Through
If House Selling Is a Wedding, Then you’re Bridezilla:
No one is ruining your day!
Selling a home can be a stressful process, especially when preparing for a potential buyer’s walk-through. You don’t have to worry if you have no idea where to begin. Your final home walk-through will be a breeze if you follow this checklist!
Walk-Through
An inspection of a home is the last chance for a buyer to find problems before the closing date. The purpose of this inspection is to ensure that the property is in the same condition as it was when the purchase agreement was signed as when it was inspected. In most cases, the final walkthrough takes place after the previous owner has moved out, but before closing.
When the buyer performs a final walk-through, he/she ensures that the seller has completed all the repairs as noted in the agreement and left behind everything the seller has agreed to leave behind.
Use this checklist to ensure that your final walk-through goes smoothly!
Checklist for Home Walk-through
A final deep cleaning should be completed
It’s probably not that you’re living in the house you’re trying to sell at this point, but if you are, remove and destroy any evidence of your occupancy. A potential buyer should not be distracted by the mattress and clothes in their future house. After moving out, ensure you remove all the dust bunnies and cobwebs that accumulated while you were away. When potential buyers are looking to buy a clean new home, seeing signs of dirt and debris can be a stress factor. Your buyer does not want to see a mess you left behind.
Make sure the trash is taken out in advance
The way you dispose of trash and debris while cleaning the house is important. To ensure no trash is present on the day of the walkthrough, plan your deep clean around garbage day. If the date of the walk-through changes, have your trash picked up a week before the scheduled pick-up!
Verify That Everything Is Working
Before your buyers arrive, test all appliances, fixtures, and mechanical equipment to ensure they are in good working condition. In addition, you should check your HVAC system, electrical system, and plumbing system. Try to act like you’re a prospective home buyer and visit every room in the house.
- Make sure all appliances are tested.
- A/C and heating should be turned on.
- Each light fixture should be turned on.
- The fan should be turned on.
- Check under sinks for leaks by running each faucet.
- Make sure the garbage disposal is running.
- Make sure the toilets are flushed.
- Floors, walls, and ceilings should be inspected.
- Windows should be opened and closed.
Gather manuals and keys
Start gathering keys now in preparation for closing and the move-in of your buyer. Make sure you gather garage clickers, keys to doors around the house, and anything else that may require a key. Safely store them in labeled bags to keep them organized.
Also, if you have any user manuals or warranties for your appliances, you should gather them.
These items probably won’t be handed over to the buyer until the final paperwork is completed, but gathering them together and showing them to the buyer is still a good idea.
You should wait to cancel utilities
One of the biggest mistakes sellers make is canceling their utilities before the walk-through. The purpose of the final walk-through is to verify that the utilities are working, which can be accomplished by testing them. When canceling utilities, wait until after closing to be on the safe side.
Ensure necessary repairs are made
Maintain things if something breaks or you agreed to make repairs in the negotiation. Keep receipts as proof. In order to truly impress buyers, make other repairs, such as filling holes in the walls or repainting some areas. Your extra effort and hard work will be appreciated by buyers!
Leaving behind items that have been agreed to be kept by the buyers
Prior to the final walk-through, be sure to discuss what will stay and what will go with buyers. The items must be added to the purchase agreement after this discussion has taken place. A homebuyer might be shocked to find that the refrigerator has been removed during the final walk-through if the refrigerator was not present. There is a possibility that a problem like that could delay the closing of the home.
Additionally, ensure that all items are in the same condition as when they were accepted by the buyer.
- Appliances that are large
- Furniture that is built-in
- HVAC system and water heater
- Fixtures for lighting
- Switches and dimmers
- Locks and doorknobs
- Holders for toilet paper
Items excluded from the agreement should be removed
Items left behind that weren’t part of the agreement could have two effects. The buyer would either think you’re giving them more items or their eyes would be distracted by your mess while they are looking at their future home.
For instance, if you wanted to keep the washing machine but left it behind, the buyer might think you were gifting it to them and be upset if you tell them you are keeping it. You could also upset the buyers if you left behind a raggedy old chair and left them to dispose of it themselves.
You might not be able to show off the full potential of the space to buyers if you leave all your boxes in the attic or garage. The buyers might also worry about the moving time if you leave your stuff laying around.
In all of these situations, there may be problems between you and the buyers, which could cause a delay in closing. To be safe, make sure you remove everything before the final walkthrough!
The interior should be staged
It doesn’t mean you can’t stage the house if you’ve removed your personal items. When leaving items for future owners, make sure they are organized and tidy. You might even want to leave out some snacks or a scented candle! If you were to see your future home for the final time before closing, try to envision what you want it to look like.
The exterior should be primed
Some buyers spend so much time inspecting the interior of a new home that they overlook the exterior. Mow, weed, water, and trim your yard and make sure the sprinkler system is working. Ensure that the exterior looks just as good as your interior if you agree to make any adjustments or repairs.
Relax and breathe deeply
The preparations for a walk-through have been completed, so let’s prepare ourselves for what lies ahead. You have completed all the preparation work needed for the walk-through. Getting ready for closing takes just a few minutes now after you answer any questions the buyers might have. It’s taken you this long, so you can relax now. Your goal is just around the corner!