Posts Tagged ‘vernon hills house’

A Final Walk Through Protects You and Your Future Property

Congratulations.  You found the house, placed it under contract, survived the inspection and are now ready to close on your Vernon Hills dream home.  What could possibly go wrong now?  Well, as the saying goes, you never know.  You need to protect yourself and your future Vernon Hills home  before money changes hands and the best way to accomplish this if for you and your real estate agent to plan a final walk through.  I believe in the “Three W’s” when it comes to the final wall through: Why, When and What.

Why should I schedule a final walk through of my future property?  

A final walk through is very important to all buyers because it’s your last chance to inspect the property before closing.  Even if my buyers don’t have the time to perform it themselves my job as their agent is to perform it on their behalf.   If your sellers have not lived up to the terms of the contract,  you will want to know about it in advance of the closing so remedies (both monetary and otherwise) can be agreed upon before money changes hands. Usually during the initial inspection, I advise my clients to take pictures so there is no misunderstanding as to what the house looked like when seen last. 

When should the walk through take place?

As your agent, I always try to arrange for the final walk through the day or two before the real estate closing.   Additionally, if possible, I do another walk through the day of the closing. 

If you are buying a Vernon Hills  house that is owned by a relocation company, it is required that you schedule a final walk through at least three business days before closing. Typically stated in the relocation company’s addendum, this provision allows the relocation company ample time to work out any issues that might. If something is wrong and you request a credit, many parties have to agree before they will proceed to close.   If you are required to do a walkthrough that far in advance, we will do another walk through right before the closing.

What should I look for during the final walk through?

It is important to check out the condition of the house right before the closing.   We want to make sure that the sellers have completely moved out and that the house is in “broom clean” condition.  In some contracts, I have noted that instead of broom clean the home needs to be professionally cleaned. 

Additionally, we will be checking to make sure that any appliances, light fixtures, built ins, blinds, etc. that are supposed to stay with the house (per the written contract) are still in the house and work properly.  I flush all the toilets and run the water in all the faucets. It is important to check that the pipes are not leaking.  It’s also important to look to see if there was any accidental damage done to the house when the sellers moved out, like a  a scratched hardwood floor or broken storm window.

If the water or the electricity have been turned off and you can’t check the appliances – this needs to be addressed.  During my last closing, the seller turned off the gas too early.  The gas company had to be contacted to turn the gas back on in order for the buyer to test the oven and fireplace.

What should I bring to the final walk through?

During the final walk through, please bring all your paperwork with you.  This should include your sales contract, any addendum(s) to the sales contract and inspection records.  If any requested repair work was done to the home due to the inspection period, this is the time we check to see if it was actually done.  It’s better to raise any objections during the walk through than wait until the closing. If any items are missing or anything has been left behind that should not have been, I would rather address them right after the final walk through.  At the closing, the seller’s attorney should have any necessary receipts and warranties for repair work done, to give to your attorney. 

When all is said and done, you are just steps away from moving into your dream house.  The final walk through with me as your agent will calm any fears that you may have about the condition of the house and address any last-minute concerns you may have. As a local Vernon Hills real estate agent, I will work with you every step of the way from the initial contract to the final walk through to make sure that everything is as perfect as possible for your long-awaited homecoming.

The above post  Vernon Hills Realtor, Judy Greenberg discusses the Importance of a Final Wal through was written by Judy Greenberg and Tara Arnolnd of the Judy Greenberg Group at Coldwell Banker.

If you would like more information about the Chicago Northwest Suburbs,including Libertyville, Buffalo Grove, Lincolnshire, Long Grove, Vernon Hills, and Lake Zurich  please do not hesitate to call me at 847-602-5435 or email me atinfo@buffalogrovehomes.com

My websites, www.movetolonggrove.com , www.buffalogroveareahomes.com,and www.vernonhills.homes-for-sale.com

will provide you all the information regardless as to whether you are a potential buyer or seller!