So you’ve got an offer on your home and the contract is running along smoothly. You’ve been busy racing around getting your house packed up for the big move. Two weeks left until moving day and you get a call from your agent to make an appointment for a final inspection. You shrug it off, say to yourself, ‘no worries, everything will be fine’, and think no more about it. Now that’s where the problems can start.
Most sellers consider that the ‘Final Inspection’ is just a routine look around by the buyer and usually occurs a few days prior to settlement. However, it’s designed for buyers to double check that everything in and outside of the house still looks and works the same as when you accepted their offer. In quite a few cases something does go wrong and even if it’s only minor it can cause everyone a few headaches and sometimes cost the seller time and money fixing things up.
Here are a few tips on how to prepare & survive a final inspection and come out of it smiling on the day.
- Do your own final inspection on your house at least 2 weeks before the settlement date.
- Walk around your home, inside and out, with the buyers shoes on. Buyers are super critical at final inspections. It’s their last opportunity to reassure themselves that they made the right decision to buy your property.
- List everything you notice and fix the problems straightaway. Most common problems are burnt out light globes, keys missing for windows and doors, leaking taps, fans not working, unhealthy looking gardens, reticulation not working, blocked gutters, etc. Buyers want to be especially sure that anything of electrical, mechanical or plumbing nature is in good working order. They will want to turn on taps, open windows, test the hot water and so on - even the blinds should open and shut properly.
- If you find a major problem talk to your agent or settlement agent for advice.
Following these tips could end up saving you a lot of money. Don’t let the final inspection cause a delay in settlement or you may be up for penalty fees.
