Final House Flipping Checklist for Investors

House Flipping Checklist hero image: woman with baseball cap standing on ladder and cleaning windows

Purchasing a real estate asset can be a truly exhausting ordeal, so fix & flippers can benefit from creating a standardized house flipping checklist.

Much of the buying process can prove to take a lot of time because investors and sellers haggle over price, repairs, and other points of contention before closing.

However, after all the time and energy spent on finalizing these details, it can be understandably tempting for inexperienced flippers to try and wrap up the closing process as fast as possible—even if it means cutting a few corners along the way.

Unfortunately, doing so could end up costing you significantly down the road. Importantly, that’s why you should do a proper inspection of the property with a house flipping checklist before signing on the dotted line of the purchase agreement.

Luckily, Express Capital Financial has years of experience providing insight and advice to real estate investors. Consequently, we’ve assisted countless individuals in completing property walk-throughs and have compiled the following checklist to help you get the most out of yours.

Additionally, you can also peruse RentRedi for other rental inspection checklists if you decide to rent out your flip!

Inspections are an Essential Process

Following the completion of all agreed-upon repairs, the buyer is given the opportunity to conduct a final inspection with a house flipping checklist of the property.

Accordingly, this enables them to confirm that the seller has fulfilled all their contractual obligations and that the work is up to par. Now, keep in mind that this is not the time to propose any additional repairs or terms. The goal is to validate that the property mirrors what you initially agreed to purchase. Critically, it is important to not rush the walk-through.

Performing your due diligence proactively now will save you loads of time and money in the long run. Essentially, the final walk-through is your last chance—prior to taking official ownership of your investment property—to ensure that:

All requested repairs are satisfactorily completed
No new repair or maintenance concerns have arisen since the inspection
All fixtures and furniture detailed in the contract are still present
All systems and appliances are fully functional

What to Bring

Importantly, make sure you have the following items when you show up for the final walk-through:

The original purchase agreement, indicating the terms that both parties agreed to
The inspection report summarizing needed repairs
Any additional written agreements between yourself and the seller
A notebook to record notes
Camera or phone to document any issues
A plug-in cord to check outlets are functioning

Final Walk-House Flipping Checklist

Here’s a handy checklist to help make sure you cover all the major areas of the property during your walk-through and help you track estimated renovation costs for the project:

Walls & Floors

FEATURE	REPAIR NEEDED	QUANTITY	COST
Window Panes & Screens
Window Latches
Doors & Locks
Trim
Walls & Paint
Flooring

Bathroom

FEATURE	REPAIR NEEDED	QUANTITY	COST
Toilets
Faucets
Sinks
Tub & Shower
Mold & Water Damage
Plumbing
Fan

Kitchen

FEATURE	REPAIR NEEDED	QUANTITY	COST
Oven & Stovetop
Refrigerator
Dishwasher
Microwave
Garbage Disposal
Sink
Mold Damage
Cabinets
Countertops

Electrical & HVAC

FEATURE	REPAIR NEEDED	QUANTITY	COST
Wiring
Light Switches
Outlets
Ceiling Fans
Circuit Breaker
Doorbell
Security System
Garage Door
HVAC

Exterior

FEATURE	REPAIR NEEDED	QUANTITY	COST
Siding
Deck
Landscaping
Driveway
Irrigation
Fencing
Downspouts
Roof
Foundation

Laundry & Storage

FEATURE	REPAIR NEEDED	QUANTITY	COST
Washer & Dryer
Utility Sink
Heating Ducts
Support Beams
Attic
Crawl Space

Miscellaneous

Why house is being sold?
Local Crime Rate?
Time on market?
Competing Offers?

Ready to start your real estate investment journey?

Express Capital Financing offers efficient and accessible ground-up construction loans geared towards real estate investors looking to optimize their business. We have the experience and resources to get you the money you need when you need it.