Going Through My Walk Through (real estate, apartment, new home)

[Tisquato]

Hey hey there!

Well I'm going through my final walk through on my new construction home on 4.21. Any advice to give me? Questions to ask? What to look for? We do have an independent inspector, but I respect your opinions too!

[BigJon3475]

Check everything and don't allow anything to be overlooked....easier to get them to do it before you take the home then after in some cases. Seems obvious I guess but sometimes you get caught up in the moment.

[Kari Strong]

Check everything very carefully. It's best to have more than one set of eyes as well. Check the little things, like floors, crownmolding, doors, windows open and shut properly, look in cabinets, everything. And my advice, which I am sure your real estate agent told you, I wouldn't close until it is all fixed. Again just advice.

[Ready2LeaveLI]

Just want to congratulate you on your new home. Sorry no advice. (not a homeowner yet).

[sstarrx3]

Originally Posted by Tisquato

Hey hey there!

Well I'm going through my final walk through on my new construction home on 4.21. Any advice to give me? Questions to ask? What to look for? We do have an independent inspector, but I respect your opinions too!

Check all the door frames. The tops of door frames are out of site and they often will not caulk and more than likely a half inch of drywall dust will be sitting on top of them. Subcontrators will try to do as little as possible. Make sure they caulk around the shower stalls, those are often higher than eyesight as well. Take a close look at the walls and make sure the drywall is straight. Studs made of wood will sometimes bow and push out the drywall.

[BklynGal2476]

Here's some things that we did (or wish we'd done) when we had our final walkthrough:

Make a checklist of all the things you feel are important: windows and doors operating properly, plumbing is ok, toilets don't rock, cabinets close, etc. Make the checklist on a room-by-room basis. If you don't have any ideas about what to put on your list, go through the apartment/house you live in now as if it was your new place and think of things you'd check or look for.

Bring with you a list of all the upgrades/changes you requested, and go through the list as you walk through the house, making sure they're all done (or done properly).


Don't forget to walk around the outside of your house too! Make sure there aren't any exposed pipes, cracks in concrete, or things that don't look right or belong.

Ask your realtor to come with you. Bring your husband/wife along. Ask another family member who's handy, or whose judgment you trust. The more eyes you have with you, the better off you are.

I'm not joking now: Get down on your hands and knees and look at the house from that angle. You never know.

[brokensky]

Here are things I have either dealt with or had friends who dealt with (in addition to the items others have mentioned)

Outlets - check to make sure they put in all the outlets you specified.

Kitchen lighting - same here - make sure you got what you expected

Flooring - if it squeaks now, address it now

Closets - make sure they are finished off as you expected

Stairs - if they don't feel solid, you have a problem - check all handrails

Make sure you got the grade of products you specified

Check inside cabinets on workmanship - check all drawers for smooth operation

Grout!!! Take a hard look at all areas w/ grouting

Good luck!!!! And congratulations!!!!

[FLtoNC]

Here are some less obvious things to look for. These are things you may not notice until it's too late.

Correct placement of electrical items (ceiling fan, cable, ethernet, recessed lighting)
Make sure all interior doors stay closed & can lock.
Caulking around window sills, tubs, showers, etc.
Check cabinet door hinges.
Make sure all windows have screens & can open & close properly.

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

Look at all the caulking on all baseboards and tubs. Make sure it is not thin-looking anywhere - it should be even in thickness and height across the wall. Turn on all hot water faucets and make sure hot actually comes out - I had a plumber doing remodelling who crossed the hot and cold lines! Open all windows to make sure they open easily. And get it in writing what they are going to do if you have to clsoe before everything gets fixed!! Good luck!

[BagongBuhay]

Make sure things that are supposed to close tightly do (attic doors, kitchen cabinets, etc.)

Things that are supposed to be plumb are (built in dishwashers, ovens, doors)

Inspect weatherstrips in windows and doors.

If with vinyl siding, check none of them are bowed. Check flashings, downspouts, gutters for loose bolts.

Check how garage doors open and shut. Have them re-oiled if need be.

Check that your sprinkler system is working in all stations at all settings.

If lights burn out too quickly in the same spot (ours did in one or two of 10 canned lights in the kitchen), have them check for loose connections.

Check unusual erosions on hills. Ours did where our AC units are and they have had to replace the entire retaining wall around it lest the units slide down to the neighbors later.

Check that all standard landscaping has been done. We were missing a cherry tree in front and they had to get us a new one.

If they say your ceilings are wired for fans, make sure you have 3 switches in the room. Ask if the fan bracket is underneath that light fixture.