Fort Lauderdale Pre-Closing Walk-Through Lawyer
All Florida home buyers should schedule a final walk-through before the closing or perhaps the day before. This walk-through will allow you to verify the property is still in the same condition as when you put an offer in on it. If you find problems during the final visit, they can be addressed before closing. If you want until after closing, it’s too late to ask the seller for anything. If you are the seller, it’s best to protect yourself with a final walk-through as well. Having an experienced Fort Lauderdale pre-closing walk-through lawyer present can also eliminate unforeseen problems.
Tips for a Successful Pre-Closing Walk-Through
To make your pre-closing walk-through as successful as possible, consider some helpful tips to keep things running smoothly. Having a checklist can also ensure you won’t miss any crucial details. When creating your own walk-through checklist, consider including these items:
- Open and close all doors and windows to ensure that locks and latches are all functional;
- Test electric outlets and light switches;
- Test air conditioning and heating systems;
- Test all smoke detectors in the house;
- Confirm that all sinks, showers, and tubs fill and drain properly;
- Check the faucets, drainpipes, and water lines to ensure there are no leaks;
- Flush all the toilets;
- Confirm all appliances work as they should;
- Check the exterior of the home to ensure there is no damage;
- Confirm all the landscaping present now is what was present during the inspection; and
- Look at windows, screens, doors, roof, and siding to ensure they are in working order.
You should plan to set aside at least 60 minutes for the walk-through. It’s best if you can do it 24-48 hours before the closing appointment. You should bring a copy of your contract with you to the walk-through so you can confirm all repairs the seller agreed to have been completed. The contract will also spell out all the items the homeowner agreed to leave so you can confirm everything is in order. If you wait until after the closing and find the owner removed items on the contract, it will be much more challenging to resolve.
Problems That Can Arise During a Final Walk-Through
The walk-through can potentially uncover a number of issues. It’s best to be prepared and know what could go wrong before the day arrives. Here’s a look at some common problems that happen during pre-closing walk-throughs:
- Property not empty: You arrive to find that the property is still not vacant. No one wants to buy a house to see garbage and personal property left behind that you are forced to dispose of before you can move your belongings.
- Removed items should’ve stayed. You may also find the opposite problem if the homeowner removed things that were in the contract to remain with the property.
- Repairs were not completed. If the contract stipulated repairs were supposed to be made, and they haven’t been completed yet.
- Appliances or heating/air conditioning not working. If an appliance breaks before closing, it needs to be addressed; otherwise, you are stuck with it once closing is complete.
- Fixtures changed out. Always note what the original fixtures were to ensure nothing was switched out, such as lights, ceiling fans, appliances, etc., unless the contract stipulated they would be removed.
Contact a Fort Lauderdale Real Estate Attorney
If you are purchasing or selling a home, having a Fort Lauderdale real estate attorney can make the process run more smoothly and ensure there are no unforeseen problems. To learn more about how we can help, contact Edward J. Jennings, P.A. today to schedule a consultation.
