You put a lot of effort into finding the right house, and now that your closing is just days away, you’re finally ready to start calling your new place home. Before this can happen, however, you should do a final walk-through of the property.

WHAT IS A FINAL WALK-THROUGH? 

A final walk-through isn’t a home inspection (that typically takes place in conjunction with your offer). It’s not the time to request new repairs, either. Instead, this is an opportunity to make sure the condition of the home is as expected. Specifically, you’ll want to confirm there haven’t been any unexpected or unwanted changes made to the property.

WHAT SHOULD YOU LOOK FOR? 

Make sure there isn’t any move-out damage and that all your requested repairs have been made. You’ll also want to check that no extra furnishings have been left behind and that everything included in the home price — items like appliances, light fixtures or window blinds — are in place and in good condition. Use a checklist to guide you through this process.

WHEN DOES IT TAKE PLACE? 

The final walk-through can happen anywhere from a few days prior to your closing to just a few hours before.

Finally, be sure to bring a copy of your contract along for reference and consider asking your real estate agent or a home inspector to help you double-check everything and verify repairs. Remember, this is your last chance to give the property a good once-over before you legally claim it as your own.