Final walk-through checklist: What to look for

The final walk-through is your last chance to verify that the home's condition aligns with your purchase agreement. During this inspection, you'll confirm all agreed-upon repairs have been completed, systems and appliances remain in working order, and no new issues have emerged since your offer.

To make sure you have the most complete walk-through possible, you can use this guide as a reference.

What is a final walk-through?

A final walk-through is a crucial step when you buy a home. It's your opportunity to carefully examine the home and do an inspection before the official closing. 

During this process, you and your agent can go through the house, room by room, to make sure it's in satisfactory condition.

The final walk-through before closing and the home inspection are different steps. The inspection is performed by a licensed professional who carefully checks every part of the home's interior and exterior. This includes the structure and systems.

The final walk-through is your chance to look at all the elements of the house. It's not a time to bring up new issues. Rather, it's to make sure the condition of the house matches what it was when you signed to buy the house in your purchase agreement.

When does the final walk-through take place?

As for timing, the final walk-through usually happens as early as a few days before closing day or on the actual closing day.

The walk-through should take place after the seller has moved out of the house. That way, you can accurately assess the home's condition and see what state the property will be in when you close on the house and get the keys. If you agreed to buy the house as is you may not be able to request a lot of repairs or changes, but if your contract contains contingencies, you may be able to ask more of your seller.

Who attends the final walk-through?

The walk-through is usually attended by the buyer and the buyer’s real estate agent. Your real estate agent is there to help you through the process and may have a better idea of what to pay close attention to during the walk-through. Your agent can ensure everything is carefully checked.

The seller and their agent don’t typically attend the final walk-through. If they do attend, it's usually because the buyer has requested they be there. In the case that the seller is present, the seller’s agent should also be there. 

Final walk-through checklist: What to look for

Keeping a final walk-through checklist before closing can confirm that nothing gets missed.

Overall home checklist

When performing your final walk-through, here are some of the key, big-picture things to look for:

• Verify that all agreed-upon repairs from the inspection have been made.
• Ensure that no major changes have been made since the last time you viewed the property.
• Confirm anything that should have been left behind is at the property. For example, if the seller agreed to leave behind the window treatments, double-check that they’re at the house.
• Copies of warranties and paid bills are on site.
• Check that no garbage or personal items have been left behind.

Home interior checklist

When examining the home’s interior during the final walk-through, you’ll want to look over everything on this list and add other things, depending on the type of property or your own personal concerns:

• Test all appliances.
• Inspect the walls and ceilings.
• Inspect the doors, windows, and locks.
• Inspect the flooring.
• Check the basement, attic, and crawl spaces.
• Test all plumbing fixtures, including faucets, showers, and toilets.
• Test the HVAC system.
• Test the electrical system.
• Test all lights and light switches.
• Test all fans.
• Test all outlets.
• Run the garbage disposal.
• Look for signs of water damage or mold.
• Look for signs of pests or pest damage.

Home exterior checklist

Here's what to look for when it comes to the home’s exterior during the final walk-through:

• Inspect the roof and gutters.
• Inspect the house’s siding.
• Test the garage doors.
• Inspect the deck, patio, and pool.
• Inspect the landscaping.
• Test the irrigation system.
• Test the doorbell.
• Look for signs of pests or pest damage.
• Check that trash and left-behind items have been discarded.
  
  

What to bring to the final walk-through

Have these items handy when you perform your final walk-through:

• The inspection report, which outlines all necessary repairs. You'll want to ensure all necessary repairs and maintenance have been tended to. Anything missed can result in issues later or a delay in closing.
• Any notes or documents outlining repair agreements between you and the seller. If the seller missed anything in your repair agreement, this is the time to point it out. That way, repairs have been completed before you buy the home.
• A notebook to take notes about any issues in the home. This can help you jog your memory later.
• A camera or phone to document problems.  Alongside your notebook, having a device to verify any issues and help you recall what you saw can help you double-check that nothing is missed.
  A flashlight. A flashlight can help you better see and inspect dark, unlit spaces such as basements, attics, and crawl spaces. Also, having an additional source of light handy can help you more thoroughly inspect crevices in the home.
• A phone charger to check outlets. You might want to bring several different ones with varying power requirements.

What to do if you find issues during the final walk-through

Ideally, you would find the home in top condition during the final walk-through. That's not always the case.

If a few issues pop up during the final walk-through, here are some options:

• For minor problems, ask the seller to fix them before the closing.
• To give the seller sufficient time to fix the problems, delay the closing.
• You can negotiate to withhold money from the seller’s proceeds to pay for the repairs.

In extreme circumstances, such as if there’s major damage or an expensive fix that the seller failed to repair, you might have to walk away from the sale or take legal action.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about final walk-throughs on the sale of a home.

Is the final walk-through required?

While the final walk-through isn’t required by law, it’s a good idea to ensure the home is in good condition before closing.

What’s the difference between a final walk-through and a home inspection?

A home inspection is when a licensed professional evaluates every aspect of the home, including its structure and systems, to spot any issues. The final walk-through is a chance for the buyer to see the home and check that the home is in the same condition as when they agreed to purchase it. This is done in the final days before closing.

How long does a final walk-through take?

The final walk-through can take anywhere from 20 minutes to 1 hour or more, and depends on the size, condition, and complexity of the property. It's best not to rush the final walk-through. It's critical that you take the time to identify any issues before the closing.

Can a buyer back out after the final walk-through?

Yes, you can back out of the sale after the final walk-through if there are issues in the home, providing the contractual agreement allows you to do so. For example, if the seller violated the agreement by failing to complete certain repairs or by damaging the home, or if the contingencies of the contract were not addressed, the buyer may be able to walk away from the sale without penalty. If you don’t include these items in your contract, you can risk losing your earnest money by walking away. You could even face legal action from the seller.

Be sure to carefully consider including the contingencies in your contract that you need before signing it. You could also seek guidance from a real estate professional.

The bottom line: The final walk-through is vital

The final walk-through is your last chance to address any issues and check that the seller has completed all agreed-upon repairs. This is the time to thoroughly review your checklist and report anything that concerns you to your real estate agent right away. After your walk-through checklist has been met, you’ll have peace of mind knowing you took the time to carefully address any problems before taking possession of the house.

If you're ready to buy a home, you can start the mortgage approval process today with Rocket Mortgage.