What is The Final Walk-Through of a House Before Closing?

Taking a final walk-through of your soon-to-be new home is the last thing you'll do before signing your papers and getting the keys on the day of closing. Most final walk-throughs are pretty quick, but that doesn't mean you should breeze through yours or skip it altogether. Read on to learn all about the process.

What happens during the final walk-through?

photo by Rodnae Productions

The final walk-through of the home you're about to purchase is the last opportunity you have to ensure that the home is in the same state or better than the last time you were there. This is your opportunity to make sure the requested repairs have been completed, all the agreed-upon items that are supposed to convey are still present, all systems and appliances function, and that no new repairs or maintenance needs have occurred since the home was inspected.

We all want the final walk-through to go off without a hitch, but the reality is - things do happen during the move-out or while the house sits empty. So, this is the last chance you have to go room-by-room with your real estate agent before you take ownership of the home.

Why do you need to do a final walk-through as a buyer?

While not a requirement by law, the final walkthrough of the home is one of the most important parts of the entire home closing process. This step is your final confirmation that you'll be taking ownership of the home in the condition and terms you agreed upon with your accepted contract. 

Who attends the final walk-through of the home?

photo by Rodnae Productions

Unless otherwise requested, the buyer and the buyer's real estate agent are the only people that attend the final walk-through of the home. In the rare case that the seller is requested to attend or they haven't completed their move-out, yet - the seller's agent should also be present.

The buyer's agent will be able to point out any areas you may miss during the walk-through and provide guidance if any issues arise.

How long does the final walk-through usually take?

This depends on two things: The size of the house and the buyer's discretion. While there's no set amount of time you're obligated to take, it's important to remember that this will be the last chance you have to address any issues with the home before it becomes your sole responsibility. Whether it takes 20 minutes or more take your time and go room-by-room so there are no surprises down the road.

What does the term "Broom Swept" condition mean?

This term will often be used in the sales contract referring to how the seller is obligated to leave the home before ownership changes. Broom swept or broom clean simply means that the home should be completely cleaned out with surfaces wiped down, personal belongings and trash removed, and carpets vacuumed. Unless otherwise negotiated, the home will not be given a deep clean by professional cleaners.

What happens if there are issues with the home during the final walk-through?

photo by Mart Production

For my clients, by the time they do their final walk-through, I've ensured that all the requested repairs have been made and that the items the seller agreed to leave are present according to the purchase contract.

However, issues that come up during the final home walk-through are rare but do occur. If you happen to encounter an issue, it's important to be aware of what your options are before closing. If something you notice can't be quickly solved while you're at the home, there are a few things you can do:

The first thing to do is to communicate your concerns with your real estate agent. They'll be able to speak directly with the seller's agent and explain the issue. Let the agents do their job to work things out appropriately.

For minor issues, you can ask the seller to fix them before closing or negotiate appropriate compensation from the seller to take care of the issues yourself. This could mean withholding the seller's proceeds in an escrow account or being provided credit toward closing costs.

You can delay the closing while the seller addresses the issues.

In extreme cases in which major issues are discovered whether extensive damage or expensive repairs are needed, you may need to back out of the deal or take legal action if the seller refuses to address the concerns.

Conclusion

photo by Rodnae Productions

There's a lot of excitement and nerves before the final walk-through when buying a home and you should certainly be excited! But the final walk-through is your last chance to ensure the house is exactly what you expected before being handed the keys at closing.

So, don't rush through and let things slide. For any concerns you have during the walk-through, make sure to discuss them with your real estate agent to understand what your options are.

It's the next to last step in the closing process and as long as you're thorough, go ahead and get excited! Start imagining where the furniture's going and when the housewarming party is!

Ashley Melton, Realtor®  |  843-670-2333  |  Ashley.Melton@AgentOwned.com