Best Way - Home Purchase Pre-Settlement Walk-Through Checklist

Home Purchase Pre-Settlement Walk-Through Checklist

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By Paxton J. Sawyer
eHow Contributing Writer

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Before you prepare to close on a new home, you should conduct what those in the real estate industry refer to as a walk-through. The purpose of doing a home purchase pre-settlement walk through checklist is to be sure that your new home is exactly as it was when you placed a contract on it. Examine the home to ensure that expected repairs were made satisfactorily.

Examine the Outside of the House

Take a look around the outside of the house and examine the roof, gutters, garage and fencing. Check for loose shingles on the roof. Make sure the gutters are secured to the house and that the downspout is functional. Check the fencing for missing or loose boards or links.

Examine the Windows and Doors

Examine all the windows and doors to make sure they will open and close easily and that no windows are broken or cracked. Make sure there are no missing latches on the windows or missing hinges on the doors. If the home has any French doors, make sure there are no missing glass panes.

Examine the Floors

Examine the wall-to-wall carpeting to make sure it is laid tight and that all the seams match. Especially check the carpet around entryways to make sure it is not loose or pulling up. Check that hardwood floors have been properly finished if you requested it in the contract. Check vinyl and tile floors for cracks.

Examine the Attic and Basement

Examine the attic for dampness or leaks in the roof. Check for signs of mice, rats or other rodents. Make sure the insulation is at least 4 inches thick and is dry. Check out the basement for cracks in the foundation walls or floors. Make sure you have at least 200 amps of service at your electric panel. As for the plumbing, check all waste and supply lines for signs of water leakage.

Examine the Appliances

Examine all the appliances to make sure they work properly. If it is a new home, make sure they installed the correct appliance colors and models. Turn on the stove and dishwasher, and make sure the refrigerator is running.

Examine Everything Else

Examine the fireplace, and make sure the damper and draft is working. Examine countertops and cabinets in the kitchen and bathroom for cracks, scratches, burns and nicks. Make sure the cabinet doors and drawers function properly. Make sure the doorbell works, as well as the garage door remote, alarm system and intercom system. Take a radio or other appliance with you to make sure all the electrical outlets work. Run the water in all the sinks and showers and flush the toilets to make sure they all work properly and there are no leaks. Make sure the water heater and the heating and cooling systems work.