Nolo's Essential Guide to Buying Your First Home (92 page)

Other.

 

NOTES:

Final Walk-Through Checklist (New Home)

 

Use this checklist to walk through your new house and make sure everything inside and out (from flooring to landscaping) has been finished and is in good shape. Then, create a ʺpunch listʺ of what remains to be done. Work out with the developer how and when needed changes will be made and how this will affect your closing date.

Construction and finishing work is complete, with no missing trim, hardware, or paint, no exposed wires, and all water gutters pointed away from the house.

The landscaping is complete, with grading sloped away from the foundation (no trenches right next to the house). All agreed-upon trees have been planted (often the last thing to be done).

No damage, scrapes, or gouges are visible on counters, walls, floors, appliances, or other surfaces.

All fixtures, carpets, and appliances are the ones you specified.

The keys fit in the locks, keys have been provided for every door, and you know how to use them.

The lights and fans work when you turn switches on and off.

The faucets turn on, no leaks are evident under or around the sinks, and all toilets flush.

The stove, oven, refrigerator, garbage disposal, dishwasher, microwave, and all other appliances work.

The garage door opener works.

The ceilings, wall, and floors are in the condition you expected.

The heating and air conditioning work.

The sump pump, if there is one, works (to turn it on, you’ll normally need to fill the pit with water.)

All windows open and close, and all doors and cabinet doors are hung correctly and open and close smoothly.