A Realtor's® Checklist For Your New Home Walkthrough

What Your Realtor® Wants You To Look For During A Walkthrough

Bring The Right Supplies
When you do your new home walkthrough, you should bring a physical checklist and check things off as you go. Bringing a notebook or a clipboard and paper is helpful for writing down any concerns as you see them or any answers you are given to your questions during the walkthrough. You may want to take photos, and you may want to take a level and a measuring tape. Not only can you measure if certain items in the house are even and the correct length, but this can also help you know what dimensions might be needed for any furniture purchases. You may also want to bring a small electronic device, such as your phone charger, to test that all of the electrical outlets work properly.

Inspect The Interior
There may be small cosmetic issues left to fix, but you should also look to ensure larger issues are not present. Take the time to look for other potential flaws and to learn more about your home.

• Learn how everything works. Make sure you know how to work any appliances and features such as the thermostat, the fireplace, the electrical panel, the security system, any automated blinds, smart technology in the home, or any other features that require controls. Ask for any available manuals for these features.
• Check the floors. Walk on different areas of the floor to ensure nothing is squeaking or uneven and that no deep scratches or staining has occurred during the previous owner’s move out.
• Test the appliances. Turn the burners on and off, check the fridge, run the taps, flush the toilets. Anything you see in the home that has a switch should be turned on and off to ensure it works well. Ensure that the previous owners did not take any large appliances that were in the contract, such as fridges, washers, and dryers.
• Look at every room. The upstairs, the basement, the laundry room, the spare bathroom, the furnace room, check it all. You should look into every space to ensure that everything is working and there is no damage or other issues, even in the areas you might not access regularly.
• Test all moving parts. The doors, the cabinets, the garage door, the windows; if it is meant to move, make sure it does. All moving parts of the home should work without difficulty. If a door is a bit sticky in the frame, this can indicate that it was not properly installed or that the home has shifted. Make sure to check that doors of all kinds have plenty of space to open.

Inspect The Exterior
While the inside of the home is the main focus for many people, it’s also important that you look at the front and back exterior of the new home as well.

• Check the driveway. Look for any new cracks since your viewing.
• Turn on any outdoor features. Test anything that can be turned on and off such as hoses, grills with natural gas attachments, gas firepits, outdoor lighting, sprinkler systems, or other features.
• Ensure all windows and doors are properly sealed.
• Ask about any items that need continual maintenance. If there is a hot tub or other added feature that may require regular care, ask for a manual.

If you haven’t yet found the home for you, read Advice From A Calgary Realtor: Tips For Buyers to help you with your search for the right home.

Partner With A Calgary Realtor® To Find The Perfect Home

An experienced Calgary Realtor® will ensure that your new home has not incurred damage since the initial viewing and that the previous owners have upheld the contract. With this checklist you can feel certain that the house is ready for you to move in and make it your home.

Whether you are just starting to look at homes or you have been pursuing home listings for a while, it is important to work with an experienced Calgary Realtor® to help you write a contract for purchasing a Calgary home. To partner with a Realtor® who can ensure you get the home you desire, contact the Mel Star team of Calgary Realtors® at 1-403-861-9944 or fill out the online contact form.