About this guide: This New Home Walkthrough Checklist for Las Cruces NM guide is written by Manny Patino, Qualifying Broker, and Gilbert Patino, Listing & New Homes Specialist, at Patino Real Estate / NewHomes101. Manny is a top-rated real estate agent in Las Cruces NM with 9+ years licensed, 900+ families served, $90M+ in homes sold, and 100+ five-star Google reviews. As one of the top realtors in Las Cruces NM, Manny Patino regularly publishes new construction guides like this for buyers.
The pre-closing walk-through is your last chance to catch builder issues before closing on a new home in Las Cruces NM. Once you sign and close, anything you missed becomes a warranty claim, slower, with more friction. Use this 47-point checklist on every Hakes Brothers, French Brothers, KT Homes, Edwards Homes, Desert View, Arista, or MD Homes walk-through.
Exterior (10 points)
- 1. Foundation: walk perimeter looking for cracks, settling, exposed rebar
- 2. Roof: tile/shingle alignment, no missing pieces, vents sealed
- 3. Gutters and downspouts: properly installed, no gaps, downspout extensions
- 4. Siding/stucco: no cracks, even color, sealed at corners and penetrations
- 5. Windows: open/close smoothly, lock properly, weatherstripping intact, no condensation between panes
- 6. Doors: open/close smoothly, weatherstripping, threshold sealed, deadbolts working
- 7. Garage door: opens/closes smoothly, safety reverse works, remote programmed
- 8. Driveway and walkway: no cracks, even surface, drainage slope
- 9. Landscaping: per contract (irrigation working, sprinkler heads correct)
- 10. Fence: complete per contract, gates working
Interior (37 points across systems)
- 11-15. Electrical: every outlet, every switch, every light fixture works. GFCI in kitchen/bath/garage trips correctly.
- 16-20. Plumbing: every faucet runs hot and cold, every drain runs clear, no leaks under sinks, water pressure consistent.
- 21-24. HVAC: heat works in every room, AC works in every room, all vents push air, thermostat programmed.
- 25-28. Appliances: stove burners light, oven heats, dishwasher runs, refrigerator cold, microwave works.
- 29-33. Finishes: drywall smooth (no patches visible), paint even, trim caulked, flooring transitions tight, baseboards complete.
- 34-37. Cabinets and counters: doors close evenly, drawers slide, no chips, counters sealed, no overhanging gaps.
- 38-41. Bathrooms: tubs hold water, showers drain, toilets flush, vanity drawers work, mirrors mounted level.
- 42-45. Bedrooms: closet doors work, ceiling fans balanced, windows seal, every light tested.
- 46-47. Final: smoke/CO detectors installed and chirping. All warranty paperwork received.
