Down to the Wire. . ..

The Walk-Through Inspection

Within 24-48 hours before the closing you need to schedule a final walk-through inspection of the house. In fact, the closer to the moment of closing, the better. You want to check that the property is the same as when you signed the initial contract. This is your time to make sure the sellers are keeping their end of the bargain before money exchanges hands.

For instance, if you negotiated for light fixtures, window treatments, or other items within the home to remain in the home as part of the contract, you need to go to the home and confirm that they are still physically there before you close.

Tip

While you can sue for removal of such items, it will save you time and money to check the place out before you close.

Just because the sellers seem like "nice" people, doesn't guarantee they are. Some otherwise intelligent home buyers have forgone the pre-closing inspection only to open the door to their new home and see bare windows, torn up flooring, scratches in the walls from moving and no appliances that were all supposed to convey. This is a good time to be skeptical and check up on the sellers. Look at the home prior to closing to make sure it is exactly the way it was when you last saw it.

Tip

For safety's sake, you may want to have the locks changed immediately after moving in. Sure the sellers may have given you all the keys, but are you willing to take that risk? What about the key they gave to cousin Mike who is short on cash and sometimes has a drinking problem? Do you want anyone to have a key to your new home you don't know about? Having locks changed is easy and fairly inexpensive.

Think & Do Reminder

Walk-Through Checklist

• Turn on every appliance
• Open every door.
• Make sure nothing new is broken.
• Be certain all conveyance items are there
• Be certain all conveyed items are in the same condition.
• Be certain there is no new damage from the seller's move.

If the home is new construction, make sure the builder included everything that was promised. Be sure to check if the appliance and fixture models are the correct ones you requested. If there are things that still need to be included or fixed, have your contractor create a punch list and have it entered into the closing. This way you are ensured that the items on the punch list will be completed.

If you find something wrong with the house, call your attorney immediately. He or she can present a list of items to the seller's attorney that need to be fixed or ask for a credit so you can repair those items yourself after the closing.

Drum Roll, Please!

Assuming you find everything as expected during your walk-through inspection, in a VERY short time you will discover that (Ta-Da!) you have suddenly-finally become the proud, owner of your very own castle, with all of its attendant rights, responsibilities and pleasures. Congratulations!

To Sign or Not to Sign, That's the Question...

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