What a final walk-through is for
The final walk-through is your last visit to the home before you sign, usually within 24 hours of closing. It isn’t another inspection and it isn’t a chance to renegotiate. You’re checking three things: the home is in the condition it was when you agreed to buy it, agreed repairs were done, and everything included in the sale is still there.
When to schedule it
As close to closing as possible, and after the seller has moved out if you can. Move-outs cause damage, and an empty house shows what furniture was hiding. Allow 30 to 60 minutes and bring your agent.
What usually goes wrong
- Repairs not finished, or done poorly.
- Belongings, trash or old paint cans left behind.
- Appliances or fixtures swapped or removed.
- New damage from movers, or from a storm since the inspection.
- Something that worked at the inspection and doesn’t now.
If you find a problem
Don’t skip it to keep the closing on schedule. Your agent can ask the seller for a fix, a credit, or money held back in escrow until the work is done. Delaying the closing is the last resort, and check your rate lock before you do.
New construction
Builders hold their own walk-through and write a “punch list” of items to finish. Get dates in writing. See the closing day checklist for everything else to line up that week.
Questions buyers ask
What is a final walk-through?
A last visit to the home, usually within 24 hours of closing, to confirm it’s in the agreed condition, repairs were made and included items are still there.
What happens if something is wrong at the final walk-through?
Tell the seller’s side in writing through your agent. You can ask for a repair, a credit, money held in escrow until it’s fixed, or a short delay of closing.
Can I back out after the final walk-through?
Only if the seller has failed to meet the contract, such as not making agreed repairs or damaging the home, and won’t fix it. Otherwise backing out at this stage usually costs your earnest money.