The offer is accepted, conditions are removed, and the moving truck is booked. Possession day is the point where a home purchase becomes real – and where a careful final visit can prevent a frustrating first week in your new home. This possession day checklist for homebuyers is designed to help Kelowna buyers confirm the property is in the agreed condition, document any concerns, and take possession with a clear plan.
In British Columbia, possession usually occurs on the possession date written into the contract, after your lawyer or notary confirms that the transfer and funds are complete. The exact timing can vary, so do not arrive with movers before you have confirmation that keys are available. Your REALTOR®, lawyer or notary, and the listing side should be aligned on the handoff.
Before You Go: Know What You Are Checking
A possession-day walkthrough is not a second home inspection. It is a practical check that the home is substantially in the condition required by the contract, that included items remain, and that the seller has moved out as agreed.
Bring a copy of the Contract of Purchase and Sale, the property disclosure statement if available, your inspection report, and your phone. The inspection report is particularly useful because it gives you photos and notes to compare against if you spot fresh damage or an unfinished repair.
Review the contract language for included items. Appliances, window coverings, garage-door openers, remotes, storage lockers, fobs, sheds, and irrigation equipment are common sources of confusion. If an item was specifically included in the agreement, confirm it is still there before you settle in.
It also helps to have the right expectations. A seller is generally expected to leave the home reasonably clean and free of their belongings unless the contract says otherwise. “Reasonably clean” does not always mean professionally cleaned from top to bottom. Focus first on meaningful issues: missing contract items, damage that was not present before, a home that has not been vacated, or systems that are no longer operating.
Possession Day Checklist for Homebuyers
Give yourself enough time to walk through without rushing. If possible, do the visit before furniture and boxes arrive. An empty home makes it easier to see floors, walls, closets, and storage spaces.
Confirm the Property Is Vacant and Accessible
Start outside. Check that the driveway, garage, yard, sheds, and exterior storage areas have been cleared of the seller’s possessions. Look for unexpected damage to gates, landscaping, fences, exterior doors, and garage doors.
Inside, open closets, cabinets, drawers, the attic access if practical, and any storage room. Sellers occasionally leave paint cans, unwanted furniture, or household waste behind. A few useful manuals or labeled spare parts may be welcome, but large amounts of abandoned property should be documented before you dispose of anything.
For condos and townhomes, verify that the designated storage locker and parking stalls are accessible. If the property uses a parkade remote, elevator fob, mailbox key, or amenity key, make sure these are part of the handoff.
Check Included Fixtures and Appliances
Walk room by room with the contract in hand. Confirm that the fridge, stove, dishwasher, washer, dryer, microwave, blinds, curtain rods, and other included items are present. Test appliances briefly where possible. You do not need to run a full laundry cycle, but it is sensible to turn on the oven, operate the dishwasher, check the fridge is cooling, and run the washing machine through a short function if time allows.
Pay attention to items that can be mistaken for personal property. Wall-mounted televisions may be excluded while the mounting bracket is included, or the reverse may be written into the contract. A freezer in the garage, an outdoor kitchen, security cameras, or a hot tub should be handled according to the specific terms you agreed to, not assumptions made during a showing.
Test Essential Systems
Turn on lights in each room and test a sample of outlets with a phone charger. Run hot and cold water at sinks, flush toilets, and look under cabinets for active leaks. Check that exhaust fans, the furnace or heat pump, and air conditioning respond normally to their controls.
In Kelowna, a few systems deserve extra attention. If the home has irrigation, locate the controller and confirm what equipment remains. If it is a cooler season and the system has been winterized, you may not be able to operate it, but you can still confirm the controller and visible components are present. For homes with a pool, hot tub, or extensive landscaping, review any agreed instructions, chemicals, tools, and service information.
If the home has a gas fireplace, test it only if you know how it operates safely. Likewise, do not climb onto roofs, open electrical panels, or attempt technical repairs during the walkthrough. A possession visit is for identifying visible concerns, not taking risks.
Look for New Damage or Unfinished Work
Compare the home with your last viewing and inspection photos. Fresh wall damage from moving furniture, broken glass, damaged flooring, new water staining, or missing light fixtures should be photographed immediately. Check appliances for dents, floors beneath where furniture sat, and walls near stairways and doors.
If the seller agreed to complete a repair before possession, verify it carefully. Ask for invoices, warranties, permits, or contractor information if those were required by the agreement. A repair that looks incomplete or creates a new issue should be raised promptly rather than left for later.
Do not confuse ordinary wear with a possession issue. A small scratch visible during your inspection is different from a deep scrape created during the seller’s move-out. The key question is whether the property or included items have changed materially since you agreed to buy it.
Gather Keys, Codes, and Important Information
Before the day ends, make sure you have all exterior keys, mailbox keys, garage remotes, alarm codes, fobs, and keys for sheds or storage units. Ask whether there are spare keys, appliance manuals, warranty documents, paint colors, and contact details for current service providers.
If the seller has left smart-home equipment, clarify account access early. Thermostats, doorbells, cameras, smart locks, and security systems may need to be reset and registered under your account. Change passwords and access codes as soon as you take possession, even if the seller is known to you.
You should also arrange utility transfers in advance. Electricity, natural gas, internet, water arrangements, and waste collection can have different setup steps depending on the property and municipality. For a strata property, confirm who manages building access, move-in bookings, elevator reservations, and any required move-in fees.
What to Do If You Find a Problem
Stay calm and document the issue. Take clear photos and videos, note the time, and keep any relevant text messages or paperwork. Then contact your REALTOR® immediately. Your agent can help you compare the issue against the contract and coordinate communication with the other side.
Do not make unilateral decisions about holding funds back, changing locks before authorization, disposing of left-behind belongings, or arranging repairs and expecting reimbursement. Those steps can have legal and financial consequences. Your lawyer or notary is the right person to advise on closing-related remedies, while your REALTOR® can help ensure the facts are communicated accurately and quickly.
Some problems have simple solutions. A missing remote may be delivered later that day, or a seller may return to remove a forgotten item. More serious concerns, such as a significant leak, missing appliance, or failure to vacate, require immediate professional guidance. Fast documentation gives you the strongest starting point.
After You Receive the Keys
Once possession is confirmed, take photos of utility meter readings, change exterior locks or have them rekeyed, and test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Locate the main water shutoff, electrical panel, furnace filter, and any emergency contacts for the property. These small tasks are easier before daily life fills the house with boxes and furniture.
Then give yourself permission to enjoy the moment. A careful possession-day walkthrough protects your purchase, but it should also mark the start of feeling at home. If you are buying in Glenmore, Wilden, the Mission, or elsewhere in Kelowna, clear advice before and on possession day can make that transition far less stressful. Scott Smith, REALTOR® with Royal LePage Kelowna, can help buyers prepare for the practical details that come with a local home purchase.