The Final Walk Through

Many buyers have wondered about the necessity of the final walk through. The logic is that they already know what they are getting, there is little time to organize things with the upcoming move and closing is imminent. Why take the time to go and view the home one more time? Easy. To make sure everything is as it should be. Sometimes things happen to a home during the time that there is nobody there. Do you really want to take that chance?

Let's say that you are purchasing a home and have made it through the offer process and are now awaiting the closing. There were some repairs that needed to be done by the seller and there have been workers in the home seeing to the fixes. What if one of those people caused some damage in the home? Maybe a tap was left on and you now have an indoor pool? This is of course, a worst-case scenario but with such a large purchase can you really afford to take that chance? Here is another scenario; what if the seller was covering up damage with art or wall hangings that you could not see during the previous showings? Because the final walk through is done after the sellers have moved out, any hidden damage will be uncovered and visible. What if the sellers caused damage to the home while moving particularly large objects from the home? You never know what can happen.

You will also be checking to see if all of the subjects of the contact have been fulfilled by the sellers. Hopefully you are dealing with sellers that are above the board, but there is always the chance that something may have been overlooked either by mistake or on purpose and the final walk-through is your last chance to make sure that you are getting the home that you paid for, in the condition that was agreed upon in the sale. Don't sell yourself short and take chances with such a huge purchase. This is going to be your home, likely for many years and you want your home to be safe, clean and in good repair and that all appliances, fixtures and other odds and ends work properly.

Eric Bramlett is a realtor & broker servicing the Austin TX real estate market. Eric provides elite service and information to clients interested in homes and properties in Texas. For more information contact Eric, or visit online at www.ericbramlett.com