Although a final walk-through is not a home inspection, you need to treat it as such. This is your last chance to ensure that the home you are buying is exactly what it should be, so you don’t want to sell yourself short.
The purpose of this walk-through is to make sure the home is in the condition that you and the seller agreed upon. If you find anything that comes up short, you can then work with the seller to ensure that it’s taken care of before the closing.
While there is a lot to check during your final walk-through, here are a few things you definitely want to do:
- Test appliances to make sure they’re working
- Check for leaks under the toilets and sinks
- Flush all the toilets
- Open and close the doors and windows
- Check that the garage door (if there is one) is operating
- Test both the AC and heating units
- Inspect the floors, walls and ceilings
- Inspect the basement for leaks
As you do these things you may come to find other details that deserve your attention. You aren’t in a rush, so make sure you take your time and check every last detail on your list.
Unfortunately, there are times when things aren’t the way they should be during the final walk-through. If this happens to you, don’t go to the closing table just yet. Instead, make note of what’s wrong and then work with your agent to communicate this to the seller. You have legal rights as a buyer, and you need to protect yourself at all times.
Source: The Balance, “Tips for Doing the Final Walk-Through Before Closing,” accessed March 27, 2018