Home Buying Walkthrough Checklist

A final walkthrough is an opportunity for home buyers to inspect the house before the official closing. The final walkthrough allows the buyer and their real estate agent to go through the house room by room.

home buying walkthrough checklist

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Ask the seller for the warranties or repair receipts for all work they did on the home. Know who to call if something breaks again after you move in. This can save you money, as most home repair companies offer limited-time warranties that include free fixes. Then, check inspection repairs off your checklist.

Ensuring that all of your appliances work before closing can save you money on repair bills after closing. Are you buying the home as-is? Write down what needs to be replaced or repaired. This will make it easier to fix up your home later.

Buying a house with mold can become a large and expensive problem even between the time the homeowner moves out and when you move in. It can spring up in as little as a few days, so carefully inspect moist areas like the bathroom and kitchen. Here are some checklist items for you:

Purchasing a home is an exciting journey. But, before getting the keys to the new property, buyers need to go through a final walkthrough checklist and ensure that all elements of the property are in good condition.

Every real estate walkthrough checklist is different because all homes have a unique combination of wear, features, and additional enhancements. By creating a checklist, you can keep track of all relevant variables and mark the areas that have been inspected to track your progress.

Creating a house walkthrough checklist is a personal process that only buyers and their agents can participate in. As long as you take the time to understand the different elements you need to evaluate and work with an experienced agent, you should be able to create a checklist that includes all of the essentials.

The final walkthrough inspection checklist should be completed two to three days before closing. So, buyers can back out if they want to. The most common reasons for this include an inspection that revealed too many issues and declined mortgage applications.

Along the journey to close on a home, the final walkthrough can feel like a bit of a wild card. While they usually go off without a hitch, problems can occur during a final walkthrough that can cause headaches for both the buyer and seller, delay closing or even kill the deal altogether. Read on to ensure a smooth process.

For those who are unacquainted, the final walkthrough before closing on a house is one of the last steps to buying a home. The final walkthrough is typically completed after the seller has moved out and allows the buyer to confirm that agreed-upon repairs have been made, and that there are no new issues.

The short answer is yes. Buyers can always back out of a sales contract. While usually, this will happen during the home inspection phase, buyers may encounter a new major issue that deters them from moving on with their purchase during the final walkthrough.

• Typically, you'll do the final walkthrough after the seller has moved out, about 24 hours prior to closing. It's designed to be a final chance for you to check that the home is delivered in the condition you expected before you sign off at the closing."}},"@type": "Question","name": "What can buyers demand at a final walkthrough?","acceptedAnswer": "@type": "Answer","text": "You can't raise new issues at the final walkthrough that are not already part of the sale contract. You've already worked through the inspection and any contingencies earlier in the process. At the final walkthrough, you are simply ensuring that all expectations have been met and the home is delivered in the condition you previously agreed to.","@type": "Question","name": "How long does a final walkthrough take?","acceptedAnswer": "@type": "Answer","text": "A final walkthrough can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours, depending on the size of the home and the issues you may discover. Remember that this is one of the biggest purchases you'll ever make, so it's important not to rush the walkthrough."]}]}] .cls-1fill:#999.cls-6fill:#6d6e71 Skip to contentThe BalanceSearchSearchPlease fill out this field.SearchSearchPlease fill out this field.BudgetingBudgeting Budgeting Calculator Financial Planning Managing Your Debt Best Budgeting Apps View All InvestingInvesting Find an Advisor Stocks Retirement Planning Cryptocurrency Best Online Stock Brokers Best Investment Apps View All MortgagesMortgages Homeowner Guide First-Time Homebuyers Home Financing Managing Your Loan Mortgage Refinancing Using Your Home Equity Today's Mortgage Rates View All EconomicsEconomics US Economy Economic Terms Unemployment Fiscal Policy Monetary Policy View All BankingBanking Banking Basics Compound Interest Calculator Best Savings Account Interest Rates Best CD Rates Best Banks for Checking Accounts Best Personal Loans Best Auto Loan Rates View All Small BusinessSmall Business Entrepreneurship Business Banking Business Financing Business Taxes Business Tools Becoming an Owner Operations & Success View All Career PlanningCareer Planning Finding a Job Getting a Raise Work Benefits Top Jobs Cover Letters Resumes View All MoreMore Credit Cards Insurance Taxes Credit Reports & Scores Loans Personal Stories About UsAbout Us The Balance Financial Review Board Diversity & Inclusion Pledge View All Follow Us

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Budgeting Budgeting Calculator Financial Planning Managing Your Debt Best Budgeting Apps Investing Find an Advisor Stocks Retirement Planning Cryptocurrency Best Online Stock Brokers Best Investment Apps Mortgages Homeowner Guide First-Time Homebuyers Home Financing Managing Your Loan Mortgage Refinancing Using Your Home Equity Today's Mortgage Rates Economics US Economy Economic Terms Unemployment Fiscal Policy Monetary Policy Banking Banking Basics Compound Interest Calculator Best Savings Account Interest Rates Best CD Rates Best Banks for Checking Accounts Best Personal Loans Best Auto Loan Rates Small Business Entrepreneurship Business Banking Business Financing Business Taxes Business Tools Becoming an Owner Operations & Success Career Planning Finding a Job Getting a Raise Work Benefits Top Jobs Cover Letters Resumes More Credit Cards Insurance Taxes Credit Reports & Scores Loans Financial Terms Dictionary About Us The Balance Financial Review Board Diversity & Inclusion Pledge Mortgages & Home Loans Homeowner GuideTips for Doing the Final Walkthrough Before Closing on a HomeDon't miss this opportunity for a last-minute inspectionByElizabeth WeintraubUpdated on June 15, 2022Reviewed byLea D. UraduFact checked byAriana ChávezIn This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleVacant Home IssuesWhy a Final Walkthrough MattersWhat to CheckWhen the Home Is OccupiedFrequently Asked Questions (FAQs)When is the final walkthrough?What can buyers demand at a final walkthrough?How long does a final walkthrough take? Photo: The Balance / Marina Li

Typically, you'll do the final walkthrough after the seller has moved out, about 24 hours prior to closing. It's designed to be a final chance for you to check that the home is delivered in the condition you expected before you sign off at the closing.

You can't raise new issues at the final walkthrough that are not already part of the sale contract. You've already worked through the inspection and any contingencies earlier in the process. At the final walkthrough, you are simply ensuring that all expectations have been met and the home is delivered in the condition you previously agreed to.

A final walkthrough can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours, depending on the size of the home and the issues you may discover. Remember that this is one of the biggest purchases you'll ever make, so it's important not to rush the walkthrough.

If anything on your new-construction walkthrough checklist falls short of what it should be, have your real estate agent contact the builder immediately. He or she will be able to create an itemized list of fixes to be done and work with your builder to come up with a solution.

As a real estate agent, your buyers are putting a lot of trust in you. Being organized and doing a thorough walk-through of the home will surely help you get some rave reviews! We highly recommend bringing a copy of the home inspection report, inspection repair amendment, as well as a phone charger, so you can use it to test the outlets. Having the walk-through checklist on a clipboard will also make it easy for your buyer to walk around, make notes, and check things off the list.

Buyers should always try to make sure that homes meet the conditions set forth in the purchase contract. If an issue comes up during a final walkthrough, sellers must work with buyers to find a solution that returns the home to the original condition or compensates the buyer for the repair.

As you can see, there is a lot more involved in a walkthrough than just taking a quick stroll through the home before closing. We hope this will help you be more prepared as a real estate agent and ensure that you have a happy and successful closing day! 041b061a72