Adapted from Real Estate Checklists and Systems, Kim Daugherty, Gundaker REALTORS^® , Maryland Heights, Mo.

TIP: Be sure that items that are supposed to remain with the house—such as draperies or light fixtures—are still in place.

For the Advanced Salesperson:
Five Things People Forget at a Walk Through

The final walk-through is the last chance to see the condition of a house before taking possession. Here are six things not to overlook, say David Rathgeber of Century 21 Laughlin, REALTORS^® in McLean, Va., and Tupper Briggs of Tupper Briggs’ Mountain Home Team in Evergreen, Colo.

1. Items identified for repair during the home inspection.

2. Hidden systems, like attic fans and sump pumps.

3. Smoke detectors (test them to be sure they’re working).

4. Exclusions—Be sure sellers haven’t left behind unwanted items at the house. Briggs was recently involved in a sale in which the sellers left an abandoned car in the driveway when they moved out.

5. Inclusions—Be sure items you negotiated to stay—the dining room light fixtures, for instance—remain.

6. Cleaning—Be sure the house is clean. Briggs spells out the definition of clean—wiped counters, empty and wiped cabinets, and so forth—in contracts.