How to do a Final House Inspection Before Closing

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Before closing a contract to buy a new home you will need to do a walk through inspection. This inspection is very important, and skimping on time and detail would be an expensive mistake. Generally speaking the final inspection happens on closing day, which is likely to be a stressful day, so it pays to be prepared. The purpose of the inspection is to insure that repairs scheduled to have been completed as a result of the original Inspector’s report have been carried out and that the seller has not damaged the property since the time of the original report. There can be moving damage so look out!

Things you need:

A Property Inspector
A copy of the Inspector’s report
Photographs from the previous visit.
A digital camera.
A notebook and pen.
A cellphone

Step 1

The final inspection takes place before closing. Often this happens on the closing day itself so the buyer gets to take a final look before committing to the property.

Step 2

Walk through the house preferably with the Inspector who carried out the original inspection. You are on the look out for evidence that the repairs that came to light earlier have now been completed as agreed. You need to go through the “snag” list item by item. Tick the repaired items off your list and leave incomplete work for later discussion. It will be a good idea to photograph the areas in dispute.

Step 3

Check to see that the condition of each room in the property has not altered significantly since the original inspection. Check particularly for moving damage such as scuffed walls or ripped rugs.

Step 4

Next you need to insure all the appliances are working properly. Turn on the heating, the hot water and the air conditioning. Test the stove and the dishwasher, Look to see that furniture and fixtures the seller agreed to leave behind are still there and that he has cleared all areas of junk. Look carefully in the garage, attic and basement for left behind rubbish.

Step 5

Don’t rush this final inspection. It might take a lot of time but it is worth it.

Step 6

If you find damage or repairs undone you will have to speak immediately to your lawyer to find a way of resolving the dispute. Various solutions present themselves like the seller putting money in an escrow account so that the repairs can be completed. Or else the selling price could be reduced to take into account the additional costs. The final resort is to delay the completion. This is likely to cause myriad complications and expenses, but it is not unreasonable to expect the seller to foot the bill.

Tip

Bringing the Inspector back to supervise the final inspection might seem like an unnecessary expense, but it isn’t as it is likely to save you a lot more than you will spend.

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Filed Under Home Buying, Home Inspection 

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