Step 31 To Selling a Home: The Final Walk Through

The final walk-through usually occurs the night before closing or the morning of closing and is a chance for the buyer and the buyer’s REALTOR® to walk through the property one final time prior to closing and make sure it’s in the same or better condition as it was during their first viewing. The walk-through is usually fairly quick; it can take about 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the size of your home. It’s best if you are completely moved out and the home has been thoroughly cleaned by the time the walk-through occurs; however, if the.

Here’s what the final walk-through is:

• A final chance for the buyer to make sure all of the appliances are still working 
• An opportunity to make sure you didn’t damage anything while moving out 
  
• A chance for the buyer to check any repairs that we agreed to do as part of the negotiation associated with their inspection(s) during the due diligence period
• A time for the buyer to confirm that the property is, at a minimum, broom-swept clean and there is no garbage, debris or personal property (other than what we have agreed in the contract to leave) left at the property

Here is what the final walk-through IS NOT:

• It’s not the time for the buyer's parents/other family and friends come look at the property or for contractors give estimates; this is not a time for additional parties to visit the home. All of that can wait until the next day once they officially own the property.  
• It’s not a time for the buyer to begin moving boxes or other items in to the property. That has to wait until after closing.
• It’s not when the buyer receives the keys. The buyer will receive keys/access instructions at the end of the closing.

What happens if the buyer finds something that isn't right (for example, a mover damaged something or something was taken from the property that should have been left) during their walk-through?

Mistakes can happen. The chaos of moving day sometimes means that a mover accidentally packs something that we agreed to leave or damages a wall or something similar. Don't panic (and we hope the buyer's REALTOR® is telling them the same thing) -- everything is fixable.

If it's as simple as an item that was packed and removed, we can arrange for it to be brought back or for you to compensate the buyer for the item (this is usually a very simple fix and everyone can pretty easily come to an agreement).

If damage has been done and a repair is needed, we have a few options:

1. We can delay closing by a few days and work as quickly as possible to get the repair done.
2. We can offer to put funds from your proceeds into escrow to cover the cost of the repairs so you can still close on time (if the buyers's lender and the closing attorney will allow) and then you can pay for the repair to be done after closing from those funds.
3. We can offer to provide a credit to the buyer to cover the cost of the repairs so you can still close on time, but then the buyer will take responsibility for the repairs being done after closing (again, if the buyer's lender and the closing attorney will allow).

Regardless of which option ends up being the best choice for all parties, it's important to remember: everything is fixable. We've come this far, and we will get to closing, even if there are a few unexpected steps thrown in at the very end!

Please let us know if you have any questions regarding the final walk-through. We’re almost there!