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After waiting for your dream home to be constructed from the ground up, it’s the moment you’ve been waiting for. After settling the remaining payments and paperwork, your dream home is turned over to you.
Housing turnover is the perfect time to see the condition of your dream home and check if it is precisely the way you want it, based on your agreement with the builder. This process will ensure that you’ve got your full money’s worth.
To help you with this final step to becoming a homeowner, here’s a house turnover checklist you can refer to before you move in or sign your documents for turnover.
Preparing for the House Turnover
In real estate, turnover is the process of transferring the ownership of a property from the seller to the buyer. It is the final step in the homebuying process.
When you attend your house turnover, it is recommended that the seller, contractor, or designer is with you. It would also help if your real estate agent, plumber, electrician, or carpenter joined you, especially if you have questions when checking the different features of your home. You can also bring a family member or friend to help you if you need suggestions on paint, walls, and other aspects of your home.
Sellers need to declutter and clean the property. Addressing any necessary repairs is also essential to ensure that the home is in good condition and that all legal documents are in order. Knowing about the property’s history also helps.
On the other hand, buyers should be ready to check each nook and cranny of their new home. They should also prepare to negotiate and request repairs or concessions should any problems be found during the inspection.
Before the Turnover Schedule
Before the seller or developer schedules the property turnover, the buyer should meet the following qualifications:
- Full payment
- Deed of Absolute Sale
- Unit Readiness
It is best to exercise due diligence and review your contract again to read the fine print before your turnover date. Familiarize yourself with the specifications and deliverables of your property to know what to expect during your home inspection. Moreover, buyers should settle their payments and keep their necessary receipts to avoid turnover delays.
House Turnover Checklist
You might overlook some aspects of your home if you go to your turnover schedule without preparation. Use this checklist to help you during your inspection:
The Exterior
If you bought a house and lot for sale, check the exterior of your home. Pay particular attention to your walls. If it is painted, take note of any cracks, scratches, chips, and uneven coating. If there are, mark these and consider having them redone. You should also check the roof from the outside. If your property has a gate, ensure it fully opens and closes.
Measure the property if it is consistent with what’s indicated in your contract. If you bought a condo for sale, check the floor plan and measure the floor area.
Doors
When checking the doors, see if they are fully open and close. Check the hinges to see if they are correctly installed, and be alert if there are squeaking sounds when you move the door. Make sure that the doorknobs and locks work fine. Keys and duplicates should be checked to see if they will work on all your houses’ doors.
Windows
Same with the doors; see if the windows in your new home are fully open and closed. See if the window locks are working correctly. Look at your window and window frame to make sure that there are no cracks and broken parts.
Ceiling, Walls, and Floors
Check if your ceiling is even. You can also double-check every corner of your ceiling and make sure that there are no signs of leaks and watermarks.
When inspecting your interior walls, make sure that there are no cracks and air bubbles. See if the paint colors are accurate.
Your flooring should be even. An uneven floor can be a safety hazard, making arranging your new furniture difficult. If your floor is made up of tiles, ensure there are no cracks and that everything is installed correctly.
Electrical Outlets and Cables
If necessary, seek an electrician’s assistance when you inspect your home’s electrical. Inspect the circuit breaker and see if there are any loose connections. Double-check the labels indicated in your circuit breaker.
Check all the electrical outlets and wiring for your other appliances to see if all are working properly. Turn your switches and electrical fixtures on and off to see if they work correctly.
Plumbing and Other Water Fixtures
In your kitchen, check if your faucet is working properly. Check the pipes of your sink to see if there are any leaks.
The same inspection should be done in your bathroom. Ensure your toilet, sink, shower, bathtub, and bidet are tight enough and intact. Flush the toilet and water in the bathtub and sink to see if they hold water and drain properly. Check if the water slides down to your drain to ensure your bathroom or shower area stays dry.
Check if the water pressure is enough. If you have heaters, see if hot, warm, and cold water comes from your water fixtures.
Cupboards, Shelves, and Cabinets
If you have built-in cupboards, shelves, and cabinets, ensure all of its parts are functional. See if their dimensions are also based on your agreement with your builder or seller. See if all are in the places you want them to be and if they are sturdy and built correctly.
Documentation and Paperwork
After inspecting the property from top to bottom, you also need to inspect the contract. Read it carefully and make sure that you understand all that is written. See if there are any costs or fees associated with the turnover.
Do not rush to sign your contract without a thorough inspection. Take your time and check as often what is indicated in the paper and see if it is executed in your home.
Follow this house turnover checklist to avoid any problems you may encounter in your new home. If, upon inspection, you have found issues that need to be repaired, replaced, or modified, let your contractor or seller know and discuss how you can both arrive at an agreement before you move into your new home.
Learn more about home ownership by checking out other relevant articles here.
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