the complete WALK-THROUGH checklist

Such a cute post!!! well done

i would add also not to forget to check in the closets; sometimes you have pipes in there or unfinished paint work - might as well have that covered.

HI everyone

In the spirit of adding to the list (which can also be found in the post via the link above), here is the check-list we put together -- in a chronological tour format

Anything that we're missing??

Cycle appliances (:01)

1. Turn on dishwasher, washer and dryer to let them run their cycles
2. Smile nicely at the building representative as you proceed, swallowing any words of contempt you might have for the entire purchase process having taken this long

Move to the kitchen (:03)

1. Turn on the oven – let out a yelping sound pretending to get burned to break the ice
2. Test the microwave – you may bring a popcorn bag to check the power and have something to munch on for the rest of the walk-through
3. Check vent and its associated lights
4. Turn on every burner on the stove and smell for gas
5. Check each kitchen cabinet, ensuring the hinges/drawers slides are operable and lined up evenly
6. Run water in the sink and check that it gets hot
7. Test the garbage disposal – throw your favorite organic material in there for full effect; chicken bones usually do the trick
8. By now, some heat should be felt in the oven, so turn it off

Head over to the bathroom(s) (:05)

1. Run water in all available faucets for a few minutes, with bathtub and sink at the same time, humming the “Singing in the Rain” tune; test for heating time, water pressure and leaking under cabinets or around caulking
2. Flush all toilets
3. Should your apartment be so odd to come with a bidet, test it by using it as a drinking fountain
4. Check all tiles for scratches, nicks, cuts, cracks, or chips
5. Check the caulking everywhere to ensure it’s a neat job and no gaps exist

Do a sweep of all electrical outlets and jacks (:10)

1. Bring a night light to check outlets and switches (test by plugging it in the switched outlet and turning the switch on and off) – you may also bring an outlet tester
2. Make sure all device plates are straight and installed tight to the walls
3. Ensure that light bulbs are installed in all appropriate fixtures and in working condition

Check the heating / cooling units (:03)

1. Make sure all local air conditioning and heating units are working properly and in their different modes
2. Test the HVAC system by turning the thermostat high (for heat) then low (for AC).

Do a sweep of each of these things at once (:15)

1. Go through the whole apartment so your eye stays trained on one thing at a time, floors first, then walls – take your time with this one and bring colored masking tape to mark the spots
2. Check that the floors are properly installed and finished with no stains or marks; ask you walk through, feel for any loose boards
3. Should you feel particularly punchy, slide across the wooden floors in your socks like Tom Cruise in Risky Business as you check for board misalignment (pants optional)
4. Check the walls for even paint (particularly between ceiling and walls, behind columns, etc.), ensuring there are no dents, scratches, nicks or discoloration

Exterior facing/related items (:05)

1. Ensure that the door bell is working by ringing it, coming back in, and asking “who is it?”
2. Check that all windows open and close smoothly and are sealed properly
3. Open and close all doors, making sure they don’t scrape the floor and that they close easily
4. Check the intercoms, concierge phone and alarm system without waking up the neighbors

Exchange of materials/items (:01)

1. Kindly turn to the building representative and ask if you have received all of your instruction manuals, directions and warranties (do a quick glance-over, adding “sorry, I just want to check”)
2. Make sure that all the keys are accounted for and ready for delivery after closing

Thanks for sharing this post, Honeycrisp!

Thanks for the gratuitous bump for this marketing vehicle!

Alanhart - Actually, that's precisely why I ended up pasting the full post here, so that people didn't have to click on the link to get the information they needed, if they didn't want to, and to encourage a dialogue

The reason we posted the link initially is because it would be nice to have any additions to the check-list that people might have be housed where the rest of the checklist is housed - no other reason other than having all the information in one place -- then, to encourage the sharing of additional information (and humor), we posted the entire content

Honeycrisp: No need to explain yourself. It's an informative post.

Here's one to add to the bathroom and/or kitchen list. It will add only 10 seconds:

Check the ventilation system by doing the tissue-test: Hold a tissue flat against the vent. It should stick to it when you let go of the tissue.

So THAT'S how you escaped, Truth!

But really, Honeycrisp, you should build your marketing blog by having people who like what they see forward to their friends, not by reposting its contents to discussion boards. Imagine what SE would be like if every blogger spammed this board with links (and full-texting the content makes no difference).

Do you see Curbed reposting its stuff here? Does the NYT post its own stuff on SE? No.

Honeycrisp: But it's O.K. when the gang post comments/start discussions doing just that. Like I said : Look who you were explaining yourself to.

I never escaped. Only slaves need to escape.

Alanhart - I get your point, I really do. Except that the purpose was to give people as complete a checklist as possible, and have them add to it ... to (dare I say it) actually help.
Don't you think intention has a lot to do with it?

I don't see it stated anywhere explicitly that this is a terrific walk-through check-list for a new development that does not (completely) apply to a resale. The way I have always understood it, the purpose of a walk-though in a resale is to establish that (a) the unit is in the same condition it was in when you signed the contract to buy it and (b) that specific contract terms are met (usually, that appliances are in good working order; sometimes, that window treatments are left).

Some of the Apple Items don't apply to a resale unless there is a specific contract term. Lots of kitchens get sold in which cabinets and drawers don't "line up evenly", or bathrooms in which there are nicked or cracked tiles, or wall plates that are not even, or floors that have soft spots, or walls with scratches. If there is a building maintenance issue with (for example) adequacy of bathroom venting (per The Truth), you might find yourself obligated to buy and left with dealing with the managing agent as a shareholder.

It is a useful outline, however. Perhaps one that resale buyers should do before they sign a contract (with a digital camera), so that any nits can be picked up in a contract rider. THX Ms. Crisp.

Yes, I DO think intention has everything to do with it. That's exactly my point.

You can (and did) give people as complete a checklist as possible -- on your blog.

You can (and did) have them add to it -- on your blog.

SMattingly - I'm not sure I've ever been called Ms. Crisp before :) - excellent points - indeed, you're quite right: this checklist is more geared towards new developments, as this is where you have most control for getting things in tip-top shape prior to move-in. In resales, as-is condition is the norm. Thank you for the distinction - it's important for people to understand that

Alanhart - we're just trying to help

please use an electrical tester, they are only $10 etc.

a night light will power on even if wired incorrectly.

Do the checklist before signing the contract and later for walk-through. In resales much can happen in the building (leaks from above apartment, ventilation system problems) and in the apartment (the super messes-up/breaks something inside during his attempt to identify/fix building problem) during that timeframe.

Greetings, Verity.

ah the A.H. is back again within a minute. I was away for a couple of weeks and when I posted a comment when I got back on SE, ah must run to his computer in a frothy state of excitement to troll me.

really like that idea for resales, Truth - do it before to get a complete sense of the "as is" nature of it, and then do it after to make sure nothing's changed

I'll add this and deanc's electrical tester suggestion to the site as well

This was cute and actually less pitchy/more content intensive than most sell-side posts here. I appreciated it. Well done Crisp!

Honeycrisp: O.K. with me.

Hi, Truth!

Within a minute ah the A.H. is here trolling me.

And that's who you were explaining yourself to, Honeycrisp.

Thanks Village - much appreciated

have to say, am beginning to love being called Crisp :)

Truth,

What about prisoners escaping?

Not a deal breaker, but a - damn, this is a surprise - check that you get clear cell phone reception. Dead zones will necessitate a land line.

thatwoman - WHAT a great point! absolutely
i can't believe we missed that one
thank you!

mutombonyc: How's the backyard looking?

Hi, Truth!

ah the AH. just got off. Go wash your hands ah.

If you are buying a coop "as-is" and during the walk through you discover problems that were not visible before because the unit was occupied (eg filthy kitchen cabinets and closets that are in disrepair) are you still able to demand that they be fixed (or that the seller pays for the repairs)? What about non-working outlets? Thanks!