After weeks of house hunting, negotiating, and packing, the time has finally arrived to close on your new home. It's an exciting time! But before signing your closing papers and receiving your keys, a few important details remain, including ensuring that the condition of the home you’re about to purchase has not changed substantially.

Most sales contracts allow buyers to inspect the property shortly before closing, commonly called a final walk-through. Smart buyers use this opportunity to ensure that everything in the home is in working condition and that the sellers have adhered to the conditions of the sales contract. In the vast majority of cases, no new problems arise at this stage of the transaction.

Your buyer’s representative can assist you in this process. Some of the most important points to cover include:  

General

☐ Have all agreed-upon repairs been completed?
☐ Has the associated paperwork been submitted?
☐ Have the sellers removed any contents that are supposed to stay?
☐ Is the home relatively clean and ready for new occupants?

Walls, Ceilings and Floors

☐ Are there signs of new damage? (water damage, gouges, stains, etc.)

Electrical

☐ Do all light fixtures work?
☐ Does every outlet have power?

Plumbing

☐ Test each faucet. (On/off? Water pressure? Hot/cold water?)
☐ Check under sinks for leaks
☐ Do all toilets flush properly?
☐ Are any drains clogged?

Windows/Doors

☐ Do all windows open, close and lock properly? Do they all have screens (if applicable)?
☐ Do all exterior and interior doors open and close properly?
☐ Do the locks work?
☐ If there's an electric garage door, is it operational?
☐ Do all cabinet doors/drawers open/close?

Appliances
Do all appliances included in the home operate correctly?

☐ Refrigerator
☐ Dishwasher
☐ Stove, cook-top, oven, microwave
☐ Garbage disposal
☐ Other specialized kitchen appliances (e.g., warming drawers, wine coolers, trash compactors)
☐ Exhaust fans (kitchen and bath)
☐ Heaters (bath)
☐ Ceiling fans     

HVAC

☐ Test the furnace and/or air conditioning system
☐ Are any vents blocked?

Exterior
Has there been any damage to:

☐ exterior walls or roof
☐ driveway
☐ landscaping
☐ other structures on the property