What Happens at Final Walkthrough When You Buy a Home

When buying a home, one of the last things you will do is your final walkthrough. At Streamlined Properties On-Market, brokered by eXp Realty, we are always looking to set the expectations of our clients so they are prepared for everything in advance of closing.

Your final walkthrough will happen on the day of the closing, or if the closing is early, it will be the night before. You are doing this walkthrough to make sure the house is in the same condition as when you agreed to buy it and that nothing has been left in the home that you didn’t agree to keep. Unfortunately, problems do arise. Here is what to watch out for.

It’s very important that you check things like toilets, showers, and stoves, as well as making sure the things that were supposed to be repaired as part of your inspection repair requests were actually repaired. However, you should have proof of all repairs prior to doing your final walkthrough.

Sometimes sellers try to be helpful by leaving things for buyers. Some items that I think are ok to leave are:

• extra tiles that match the existing tiles
• extra paint that matches the paint in the house
• yard equipment that is in working condition

You can at least see with these that a seller was trying to leave things of value to the house. However, if you arrive for your final walkthrough and there is garbage inside, the house has not been broom swept, and/or there is furniture remaining, this is something the photograph and immediately relay to your attorney.

You can still close, but you may be able to hold money in escrow until the issue is resolved, meaning some sum of money will be set aside and not disbursed to the seller until the error is remedied. Once confirmed, the money is released. However, that doesn’t make it easier to move in if there is a room full of furniture left.

You should note though that your final walkthrough is not a new fishing expedition to see what’s wrong. When people move, things happen, they forget things. You have to be reasonable about everything, especially since it’s supposed to be a happy day. Almost anything can be junk hauled or cleaned within a day so most things can be taken care of very quickly to make sure the home is ready for you to move in.

In the end, your real estate agent will be there with you at the final walkthrough to make sure all of your expectations are met and if something comes up, they will handle it, in cooperation with your attorney. And remember, once the walkthrough is done, it’s time to head to the closing, sign your papers, and get the keys to your new home.