Wilmington NC New Construction Walkthrough Checklist

0:00Welcome to Real Stories with Buddy Blake. Today's episode features real estate insights from Buddy Blake Real Estate. Let's dive in. Welcome back to Real Stories with Buddy Blake. Just a quick heads up that this program was created with AI assistance and uses a synthetic narrator. The content was reviewed and approved by Buddy Blake before publication.

0:28Information is believed accurate, but should be independently verified. This program does not provide legal, tax, lending, or appraisal advice. I'm your host, and today we're diving into something that honestly doesn't get enough attention, the final walkthrough on a brand new construction home. And we're talking specifically about the Wilmington area, because let me tell you, there are some things that are unique to our market that you won't find in a generic checklist. So I brought in Buddy Blake to break down

0:56exactly what you need to be looking at and asking about before you accept those keys. Buddy, thanks for being here. Hey, thanks for having me. You know, this is one of those things that people really rush through, and it shouldn't be that way. A final walkthrough on a new construction home in Wilmington is your last chance to catch issues before they become your problem. So let's talk about what actually matters. Okay, so walk me through this. When someone's standing in their brand new Wilmington home

1:25for that final walkthrough, what are the first things they should be documenting? So the basics first, you want to photograph and document everything. And I mean everything, walls, floors, ceilings, appliances, fixtures. Take video walkthroughs of each room. The reason is simple. If something comes up later, you've got proof of what the condition was on day one. Then you move into the specifics. Check all the doors and windows. Do they open and close smoothly? Are there any gaps or drafts? In Wilmington, with our coastal weather,

2:16that's huge. You don't want moisture getting in where it shouldn't. Oh wow, yeah. I hadn't really thought about that angle. So you're saying the coastal climate here actually changes what you're looking for, right? Exactly. Look, humidity and salt air are real. You want to check that weatherproofing is solid.

2:36Check the caulking around windows and doors. Look at the foundation for any cracks, especially if the home's in an area closer to the water or in flood-prone zones. And honestly, that's a question you should be asking the builder. What's the flood mitigation plan for this specific property? What elevation is it at? Those are Wilmington-specific things that matter.

3:00That's really smart. So beyond the physical structure, what else are people missing? Like, are there paperwork things or community things they should be asking about? Oh man, yes. So you want to get clarity on the HOA situation if there is one. What are the fees? What's covered? What's not? In the Wilmington area, you've got developments all over.

3:22Some have strict HOAs, some don't. You need to know before you close. Also, ask about builder warranties. What's covered for how long? Structural issues, appliances, systems. Get that in writing. And then there are the handoff questions. Who do I call if something breaks in month two? Is there a service portal? Do I have a direct contact at the builder?

3:47Right. Exactly. That's the stuff that nobody thinks about until something goes wrong. So, if someone's doing this walkthrough, are there specific systems they should be testing, like HVAC, plumbing, electrical? Absolutely. Test everything. Turn on every light, every outlet. Check that HVAC is heating and cooling properly. And in Wilmington, your AC is going to be working overtime. So make sure it's running efficiently. Run water in every sink, shower, and toilet. Listen for odd sounds. Check

4:22water pressure. Look under sinks for leaks. Inspect the water heater and make sure it's properly installed. Open and close every cabinet and drawer. Test all appliances, oven, range, dishwasher, refrigerator. Don't assume it's all working just because it looks new. I love that you said don't assume. I think people do that a lot with new construction.

4:46Like, oh, it's brand new. It must be perfect. But that's not always the case. Right. New construction has its own set of problems. You've got crews moving fast, inspectors who are checking boxes, and sometimes things slip through. So you're the final quality check. Look at the paint job. Are there drips, runs, or thin spots? Check the flooring for gaps, squeaks, or uneven surfaces. Look at trim work. Is it straight? Are there gaps where there shouldn't be? These details matter because they're expensive to fix later. And if they're not right at final

5:21walkthrough, that's when you push back. So when you say pushback, what does that actually look like? Like, what's the builder's responsibility at that point? So this is where your contract matters. Most new construction contracts have a punch list process. If you find issues during the final walkthrough, you document them, and the builder has to fix them before closing. Or they credit you money to fix them yourself. That's why documentation is so critical. Photos, videos, a written list. Don't just say,

5:59that wall looks weird. Say, wall in master bedroom has a crack running from the corner outlet toward the ceiling approximately 18 inches. Be specific. Be detailed. That's really practical advice. So before we wrap up, is there anything specific to the Wilmington area that someone should know that maybe someone buying in, I don't know, Charlotte or Raleigh wouldn't need to worry about?

6:23Oh yeah. So Wilmington's coastal, which means you've got hurricane preparedness to think about. Ask the builder about storm resistant features. Are the windows impact resistant? Is the roof reinforced? What's the drainage system like? Also, check the lot grading. Water should drain away from the foundation, not toward it. And if you're in areas like landfall, airy gardens, or any of the established communities, ask about community specific requirements or restrictions. Some neighborhoods have specific architectural guidelines or

7:02maintenance expectations that go beyond the standard HOA rules. That's really helpful. Honestly, I think people underestimate how much local knowledge matters when you're buying new construction. This is great stuff, buddy. Thanks so much for walking through this with us.

7:19Thanks for having me. Look, the bottom line is this. A final walkthrough is your last chance to catch problems before they're your responsibility. Take it seriously. Document everything. Ask questions. Be specific. And don't let anyone rush you through it. You're about to sign off on a major investment. Make sure it's right.

7:43Perfect way to end it. We've got a full checklist and more resources linked in the show notes if you want to dive deeper. Thanks again to Buddy Blake. And thanks to you for listening to Real Stories with Buddy Blake. We'll catch you next time. Thanks for listening to Real Stories with Buddy Blake. For more episodes and to learn more, check the show notes. See you next time.