The Final Walkthrough: A Buyer's Last Look Before Closing

Most buyers are ready to be done by the time the final walkthrough arrives. Closing is close, the boxes are packed, and nobody wants to find a problem at the last minute.

Still, this is not the time to rush.

The final walkthrough is one of your last chances to speak up before the home officially becomes yours. You aren't trying to make the sale harder; you're making sure the house is in the condition you agreed to buy it in.

What the Final Walkthrough Is For

The final walkthrough usually happens a day or two before closing. It isn't another inspection and isn't meant to reopen every concern from earlier in the process.

The point is much simpler: You're checking that the home hasn't been damaged since your offer, that any agreed-upon repairs were completed, and that the items included in the sale are still there.

That last part gets overlooked. A seller may assume they can take a light fixture, a garage remote, window treatments, built-in shelving, or an appliance they planned to keep. Sometimes it is an honest misunderstanding. Sometimes it isn't. Either way, it's much easier to deal with before closing than after the deed has transferred.

Take Your Time in Each Room

Bring your purchase agreement and any repair addendum with you. Those documents tell you what should stay with the home and what work should have been completed.

Start with the basics. Run the faucets. Flush the toilets. Flip the light switches. Test the heating and cooling. Check the water heater. Turn on the dishwasher long enough to make sure it starts and runs. Look under sinks for signs of active leaks.

Then look at the areas that may have been hidden during showings. Floors can look different once rugs and furniture are gone. Walls can get scraped or dented during a move. Windows and exterior doors should open, close, and lock properly.

If keys, manuals, garage door openers, mailbox keys, or remotes were supposed to be left behind, make sure they are there.

Speak Up Before Closing

This is where buyers sometimes freeze. Everyone wants the closing to happen, and nobody wants to be the reason it slows down.

But ignoring a real issue doesn't make it go away.

Your agent can contact the seller's side and work through the next step. The seller may fix the issue before closing. Money may be held in escrow until the work is done, or the parties may agree to a credit. In some cases, closing may need to be postponed.

That may feel stressful in the moment, but it's better than finding the problem after you've signed. Once the home is yours, your options are usually much more limited.

Look for What Sellers Leave Behind

An empty house tells a different story than a furnished one. You may notice a stain that was under a rug, water marks behind a bookcase, broken blinds, or wall damage that was hidden by artwork.

Not every issue is worth delaying closing over. A few nail holes or small scuffs may simply be part of the move-out process. But you should know what you're walking into before you sign.

Make the Walkthrough Count

The final walkthrough isn't just a formality; it's your last chance to confirm that the home, the repairs, and the included items match what you agreed to purchase.

Move slowly. Use your contract as a guide. Ask questions. If something is missing or damaged, say so before you get to the closing table.

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