let’s talk: the FINAL WALKTHROUGH
Good Morning!
Today we are talking about something that is relevant to both renters AND home buyers. This past weekend we picked up the keys to our new apartment- woo! As soon as we did that, I walked through the unit and made sure everything was working properly, and took pictures of any item that was not. Let’s talk about what to look for at your final walkthrough before you move in or close on your new home!
SO as we do, let’s talk Real Estate, let’s talk FINAL WALKTHROUGHS…
Let’s break it down by room so that you can carry this with you at your next walkthrough!
Entryway
- Do all locks on the door work?
- Does the door stick when you open or close it?
- Does there appear to be any damage to the door?
Living Room
- Does there appear to be any issues with the flooring, walls or ceilings? Scratches, missing pieces, water marks, etc. Water marks are critical if you are closing on a home because that could be a sign of a much larger issue within the home. The scratches or issue with the flooring are more so important for renters so that you can prove that you did not cause them. If you can prove it was like that before you move in, they cannot charge you for it when you move out.
- Do all light switches work?
- Windows – do any appear to be cracked or broken? Is the wood soft around the window? This could indicate leakage or rotting wood.
If anything appears to be damaged, take a photo or video and document it with the seller, realtor and landlord.
Dining Room
- Does there appear to be any issues with the flooring, walls or ceilings? Scratches, missing pieces, water marks, etc.
- Do all light switches work?
- Windows – do any appear to be cracked or broken?
If anything appears to be damaged, take a photo or video and document it with the seller, realtor and landlord.
Kitchen
- Test all burners on the stove to make sure they turn on.
- Test the oven to make sure it heats up.
- Test the disposal.
- Test the kitchen sink. While you have the sink running, look under the sink for any leaks.
- Test the microwave.
- Test the dishwasher to make sure it runs.
- Make sure the light switches work.
- Does there appear to be any issues with the flooring, walls or ceilings? Scratches, missing pieces, water marks, etc. Water marks are critical if you are closing on a home because that could be a sign of a much larger issue within the home. The scratches or issue with the flooring are more so important for renters so that you can prove that you did not cause them. If you can prove it was like that before you move in, they cannot charge you for it when you move out.
- Windows – do any appear to be cracked or broken? Is the wood soft around the window? This could indicate leakage or rotting wood.
If anything appears to be damaged, take a photo or video and document it with the seller, realtor and landlord.
Bedrooms
- Does there appear to be any issues with the flooring, walls or ceilings? Scratches, missing pieces, water marks, etc.
- Do all light switches work?
- Windows – do any appear to be cracked or broken? Is the wood soft around the window? This could indicate leakage or rotting wood.
If anything appears to be damaged, take a photo or video and document it with the seller, realtor and landlord.
Bathrooms
- Does there appear to be any issues with the flooring, walls or ceilings? Scratches, missing pieces, water marks, etc.
- Do all light switches work?
- Test the toilets by flushing them.
- Test the shower and bathtub. Make sure the water pressure seems okay, and that the hot water is working.
- Run the sink and confirm it works. Similar to the kitchen, check underneath for any leakage while it is turned on.
- Windows – do any appear to be cracked or broken? Is the wood soft around the window? This could indicate leakage or rotting wood.
Basement
- Water heater. Is there any water on the floor around it.
- Windows – do any appear to be cracked or broken? Is the wood soft around the window? This could indicate leakage or rotting wood.
If anything appears to be damaged, take a photo or video and document it with the seller, realtor and landlord.
Utility Closet
- Run the washing machine and dryer if they come with the unit or house. Make sure they both can run. —– We have a washer in our new apartment, when you first turn it on, it appears its working however after 10 minutes it shuts off and blinks “LO FL”. This is something we would have never noticed until we moved in and started to do our first load of laundry! And trust me, the #1 thing I am excited about when it comes to our new apartment is having a washing machine in unit (in NYC this is not a thing), so if we officially moved there and it did not work poor PK would have to deal with me having a full on meltdown.
If anything appears to be damaged, take a photo or video and document it with the seller, realtor and landlord.
Exterior
- Look for any noticeable changes from when you first made the offer. Check out the roof, doors, windows, garage, backyard, etc. If anything looks different, note it and take photos.
If anything appears to be damaged, take a photo or video and document it with the seller, realtor and landlord.
PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THESE ARE ITEMS TO LOOK AT SPECIFICALLY FOR THE FINAL WALKTHROUGH. THERE IS PLENTY MORE WE SHOULD LOOK AT BEFORE WE EVER MAKE AN OFFER (POST ON THAT TO COME)!!
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU ALL LOOK OUT FOR DURING YOUR FINAL WALKTHROUGH?!
Feel free to comment on the blog post HERE and let us know what YOU think!
Happy Wednesday!
Erin
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