Congratulations, you are almost at the finish line and the owner of real estate in Northern VA. You are excited to finally get your keys and move in to this new place you will call home and live your life.

You have two one more hurdle to clear before crossing the finish line. You still have to complete the final walkthrough. This is your last chance to make sure everything is in place and in the right condition before you sign and hand over the cash. It’s a critical step in the home buying process so it can still be a bit nerve-wracking. Your goal is to make sure that the house is in good condition before it can be called yours.

You and your real estate agent want to make the final walkthrough smooth sailing, with no large concerns or problems. There may be a few small hiccups, small items to overcome or look past, so here are some tips before you reach the finish line.

• The home should be in broom clean condition as per the Northern VA Sales Contract.

• All the appliances included in the sale should be in place and functioning properly.

• All the negotiated repairs have been completed, with proof of PAID receipt validating that the work was completed by a licensed professional.

• All fixtures, such as doorknobs, cabinet handles, lighting, and plumbing fixtures should be in place unless it was indicated in writing that they will be the property of the seller and do not convey. 

• If you're buying a new construction home, make sure to look for defects and other cosmetic issues.

• Open and close doors and windows and make sure they lock correctly.

• Test out both heating and cooling using the HVAC system and see if they’re working satisfactorily.

• Turn on and off all the light switches and ceiling fans.

• Check out all walls, ceilings, and floors to check if there’s any damage that wasn’t there before, especially in spaces where there used to be furniture.

• Run the garbage disposal.

• Run the exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathrooms.

• Test all faucets to make sure they have both hot and cold water.

• Check the bathrooms and make sure they’re free from any leaks, and water damage.

• Flush toilets to check for leaks.

• Test out all garage doors, doorbells, and any smart security systems.

• Make sure that all garbage, debris, personal belongings, and other items have been removed.

• Who should attend the final walkthrough? Your Northern VA realtor should accompany you and will be your “human checklist” while going through the property. Hopefully, the seller has already moved out so you and your agent can have all the freedom to inspect the home thoroughly and without pressure.

• The final walkthrough is not a home inspection. It's to make sure that the home is in an acceptable and livable condition, free from any surprise damages that weren’t there when you last saw it. It’s also your chance to make sure all repairs you and the seller agreed in writing have been completed before finally getting your house keys.

• Take your time. Remember that this is your last chance to give the property a full look over before it’s all yours. Whether it takes a few minutes or an hour (depending on the size of the property).

• Don’t be tempted to pass on this opportunity! Just because the transaction closing date draws near doesn’t mean you should skip the final walkthrough. It’s never a good idea since many issues can come up and you don’t want to be surprised after you have gone to settlement. .