After months of watching your home take shape from the ground up you receive the much-anticipated notice from your builder that it’s time to schedule the final walk-through! Closing can’t be far away, and the final walk-through provides the buyer and builder a block of time to examine the house together, discuss the home’s operating systems, and compile a punch-list of any remaining items that may require attention prior to moving in.
Depending upon the size of the home, your walk-through could take as long as 1-1/2 – 2 hours, so plan accordingly. Arrange for child care and rearrange your work schedule if necessary. Don’t plan to bring an entourage of friends with you. It’s easy enough to get caught up in the excitement of the newly-finished home; eliminate distractions so that you and your realtor and/or partner can focus on the important matters at hand.
Your builder’s rep should mark any noted items needing repair or attention, both in the home with painter’s tape or paper, and on a physical list for you to sign in acknowledgment. Ask for a copy of the list. Most builders will strive to complete as many items as possible on the initial walk-through punch-list prior to closing the home. As you move in and begin living in the home, you may notice additional items needing the builder’s attention. Keep a running list of these items, referring to your builder’s warranty to check if they are in fact covered items. Most builders will schedule a 90-day and/or a one-year warranty visit upon request, and keeping a running list of items of concern will prove helpful to both you and the builder.