What is a Walkthrough, and Do I Need One?

July 27, 2022

If you’re reading this, you’re probably getting ready to close on your first home with the help of a top realtor in Victoria BC. Congratulations! You did the hard work and are ready for your home. But before you make it official, there are some things you need to check off your list so you can rest assured that everything is in order before the closing date rolls around. So, what is a walkthrough, and do you need one?

What is a walkthrough, and do I need one?

 

The final walkthrough is an absolutely integral part of the home-buying process. It’s vital to any contract signing because it allows you to ensure that everything is fully functional and that there are no surprises when you move in. The final walkthrough checklist below will tell you what to look out for so the home is ready for you and your loved ones to move into.

 

The Importance of the Final Walkthrough

A final walkthrough ensures that all repairs, including those agreed upon by both parties during a pre-move-out inspection, have been completed and paid for before you leave. It also makes sure that all of your belongings are out of the unit, as well as any furniture or appliances left behind by previous tenants. This saves time and money for everyone involved—you don’t have to worry about whether or not something was fixed correctly (or even fixed at all). Your property manager doesn’t have to worry about chasing down missing items or removing them from their inventory.

 

What To Look For In The Final Walkthrough

Here’s what you should look for during your final walkthrough:

  1. Inspections: If any outstanding inspections need to be completed before closing, ensure they were done. If not, ask why.
  2. Pest Control: Are there any pests in the house? If so, what steps will be taken to treat them before closing?
  3. Appliances: Have all appliances been installed as promised? If not, when will they be installed?
  4. Cleaning: Is the home clean and ready to move into? Are any other cleaning services provided after closing (such as carpet cleaning or window washing)?

Do You Need a Final Walkthrough?

If you’re buying a home, there’s no question that you should get a final walkthrough.

A final walkthrough is your last chance to check the house and ensure it’s in good condition finalizing the sale. If there are any problems, you’ll be able to work with the seller to fix them before closing day.

Certain things could slip through the cracks if you don’t get a final walkthrough. For example: maybe there’s an issue with the roof or heating system discovered during the inspection. Ideally this should be fixed before closing. Or maybe there are some other issues with the house that weren’t discovered until after your offer was accepted. It’s best get these fixed before closing day.

Without a final walkthrough, these things might not get fixed before they become your problem! That could mean going through all this trouble again (and wasting more time and money) when you move into the house after closing day. That’s why we recommend a final walkthrough to ensure everything is ready for your new home!

 

Are you ready to begin? Talk to the best realtor in Victoria BC, Brad Maclaren, for more info on what to look out for in the final walkthrough. Still in the house hunting stage? Check out our page of stunning real estate listings in and around Victoria.

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