A pre-sale home is the perfect fit for a homebuyer who prefers a brand new, ‘move-in-ready’ home with personalized interior design accents. It’s crucial to understand the process of buying a pre-sale home so that it runs smoothly, and that all surprises are avoided. This guide will focus on the key things to look out for, what questions to ask, and what you need to know prior to the deficiency walkthrough of your new home.

What is a deficiency walkthrough?

The deficiency walkthrough is the crucial last step in your home-buying process before taking ownership of your pre-sale home. Prior to completion, you should receive a “Notice of Completion Date” from the developer’s agent. This is usually 10 days prior to completion, but the timing can vary. Homebuyers have the right to do a walkthrough of the home prior to its completion, which can only occur if construction is complete and the city issues an occupancy permit to the developer. Most developers schedule the date of a walkthrough over the course of several weeks, but don’t be surprised if your walkthrough is only one or two days before completion. The developer will have either a customer service representative or one of their agents — or both — join the walkthrough. Afterward, they will present you with a list of any noted deficiencies for you to acknowledge. It is always recommended that you bring your realtor along to review the list with you prior to signing.

What to bring to the walkthrough

While it’s recommended to bring your realtor and even a trusted friend to function as a second and third set of eyes, it’s also crucial to have your sales documents and deficiency checklist on hand. Having the sales documents with you means you can make sure that all paint colours, upgrades and finishes are what you selected in the sale process. The deficiency checklist helps itemize and outline deficiencies for you to look out for.

Key things to check for during your walkthrough

As a first step, make sure you check that the functions listed below are working correctly to avoid disappointment and back and forth navigation.

• Landscaping and ground surfaces: The outside of your home is as important as the inside. Are the grass and plants to your liking? Are the porch, deck and patio areas what you expected? Check any paving, as it should also be level and free of cracks and chips.

• Doors and windows: All windows and doors should be opening and closing smoothly and securely, with pristine glass.

• Faucets, showers, appliances, electric: All of these elements should function properly and be damage-free.

• Cabinets, walls, floors: Check all of these surfaces for chips and/or cracks. Additionally, there should be no condensation gathering anywhere.

Go back and check your contract

Once the walkthrough is complete, compare your findings to your contract to ensure that what you requested to be finished is indeed spoken for. We understand that things can be missed, but it’s in your best interest to do your due diligence and cross-reference your list to make specific notes if your requests were not considered.

Next steps

The next step after your walkthrough is to take note of anything missing, as your home warranty is still in effect. If anything is noticed, a plan will be put in place by the developer and realtor to execute any changes needed. Always remember, it is not unreasonable to see a few deficiencies in your home upon closing. While the goal is always to avoid deficiencies, individual tastes and unit considerations mean that there are often a couple of items that will require your attention.