When purchasing your dream home in Alpharetta, there are many steps you must complete until you are handed the keys to the property and you officially claim ownership. One of these steps, which should never be overlooked, is a home walkthrough.
What is a Walkthrough?
A home walkthrough allows the buyers to determine the condition of the property before your closing day and to make sure the home is in the condition that was agreed upon in the offer. While this step is not mandatory, it can save the buyers many headaches and several expensive repairs after the home is officially their own. For example, if damage occurs to a wall as the sellers move out of the home or furniture was hiding mold, these are things that can be found during this process.
What Can I Expect During the Walkthrough?
During the walkthrough, you will work with your agent to schedule a time to walk around the property. The walkthrough takes place as close to the closing day as possible — sometimes the same day. You will want to slowly walk through every room of the home as well as the exterior of the property. You should check all appliances to ensure they are in working order as well as the sinks, toilets, tubs, etc.
Depending on the size of the home, any issues you find, the number of repairs you requested to be fixed, etc. the length of time the walkthrough will take can vary. It is best to talk to your real estate agent for an estimate.
How Can I Ensure I Have a Successful Walkthrough?
A successful walkthrough will not only make you more excited about the purchase of your home, but it will help you feel more confident and put to ease some worries you may have about the transaction. To ensure the walkthrough is successful, you should:
Take a final walkthrough checklist with you. This will help you look at all aspects of both the interior and exterior of the property. It will also prevent you from overlooking small details in and around the home.
Work closely with your real estate agent. If you have hired an experienced agent, he or she has likely been through dozens of final walkthroughs. This means that they know exactly what to expect and what to look for. If issues come up, they also know the proper steps to address the problem.
Schedule the walkthrough for after the sellers have moved out. As the seller moves his or her belongings, damage can occur to the property. Plus, with the belongings out of the home, it is easier to check for mold or water damage, signs of pests, wall and floor damage, etc. Also, you can make sure the home is clean and is not excessively dirty.
At AlpharettaZen, our team of real estate professionals is anxious to help you during both the buying and selling experience. We know that steps such as the walkthrough can be intimidating and we want to help you through it. Contact us today and let’s get to work.