Follow up key in new home walk-through

April 4, 2018

Every home builder knows the drill: The new home is sold, but then comes official closing day. The builder or his or her agent walks the buyer through the house to check all the details.
But, cautions consultant Carol Smith of Home Address, the devil is in the details.
A buyer walk-through need not result in a long list of ‘must-do’ issues, she cautions.
Homebuyers will not listen when they are noticing item after item that needs attention. “Avoid this agony by presenting a home that is move-in ready,” Smith advises.
“It will not help your position or reputation to bring buyers back out to look at a long list of still-incomplete items. Real progress is critical,” she notes in a recent report.
Smith recommends acting quickly to address any concerns.
“The quicker you communicate with trades and skilled personnel, the more likely you can clean up those few last-minute details before possession. Document each company or person you contact.”
But, she notes, problems will be magnified if salesperson or the superintendent does not follow up with the trades.
“The essential final step is to confirm by personal inspection that the corrective work was done, and done right. Service technicians quickly learn that when the superintendent asks for something, she means it.”
For more advice on service to new homebuyers, visit www.cjsmithhomeaddress.com/