The final walk-through is the last step to take just before
the home-buying process is complete, and it is a crucial step.
The final walk-through is not a home inspection. But it is the opportunity to
ensure the condition of the house hasn’t changed since your last visit, and
the chance to ensure you’re getting the same house and amenities you agreed
to purchase. It’s also the time to confirm that any previously agreed-upon
repairs have been made and the terms of your contract are all met.
It’s tempting to cruise through a final walk-through, or even skip it
altogether, especially when you’re pressed for time. But that’s never a good
idea. A buyer’s walk-through not only gives you confidence in your purchase,
but it can pinpoint any lingering problems that need to be settled before
closing. Remember, once you close on the home, the previous owners are not
obligated to fix any new damages.
Here are four steps to be aware of for a final walk-through:
The right timing.
Timing is important when it comes to the final walk-through. It’s often
suggested to schedule the walk-through 24 hours in advance of closing, but no
more than 48 hours before to ensure enough time to address any potential
problems that could arise. Put aside an hour to conduct the walk-through,
enough time for you to be extremely thorough.
Double check conditions and repairs.
The final walk-through is your chance to verify all promised and negotiated
repairs with the seller were met. Include your inspector or general
contractor if you have any concerns about the condition of the property. It
is sometimes recommended to request receipts from the sellers for any items
that have been repaired, along with the contact information for contractors,
to prove the work was done.
What to look for.
Take your contract with you to refer to during the final walk-through.
Have a list of items that are staying with the house, and make sure that all
items that should have been removed have been done so satisfactorily. Make
sure there is no new damage – especially those that could have occurred when the
seller was moving out – and check the yard, garage, attic and basement
thoroughly for unwanted items.
Make sure everything works.
It’s good to have a checklist as you go through the house room-by-room. Check
that all light fixtures, faucets, and appliances are functional. Make sure
all doors and windows open, close, and lock properly and no screens or storm
windows are missing. Check to see that all electrical outlets are undamaged,
and that circuit breakers are properly labeled. Turn the heat and/or air conditioning
on and off and flush all toilets. Don’t ignore the outside of the house,
walking the perimeter to look for leaks, checking lights and the garage door.
Pay special attention to issues that could have previously been hidden,
inside and out.
Taking action.
If you do identify problems, you have options, including walking away from
the deal. But be cautious of walking away due to problems that are not
significant. You can choose to postpone the closing, and you do have legal
recourse for issues that were negotiated to be fixed. Make any defects or new
issues known to your Realtor.
