How to Buy a House

Conducting the Final Walk-Through

Verify that all included appliances are in working order. Turn on the oven, the dishwasher, the stove, and the washer and dryer. Don’t forget to make sure the refrigerator works, too.

Turn on every faucet and flush toilets. 

Plug something into each outlet. You’ll want an electrician to repair any broken ones right after you close on the house.

Check the smoke detectors. Light a match by each to verify that they’re in working order.

Test the heat and the air-conditioning. You don’t want to find out that the furnace or the A/C doesn’t work a few months down the road.

Look for water and mold on the ceilings. They could be a sign of ongoing leaks.

Examine for signs of vermin, including excrement (mice) and insect remnants.

Negotiate a closing credit. If you find anything broken or missing, have your broker or lawyer request financial compensation.

And finally the easy part: sign the contract, then move in.