What to Look for During a Final Walkthrough

The final walkthrough happens shortly before closing, typically within 24 to 48 hours, and gives the buyer one last opportunity to confirm the home's condition matches what was agreed to in the contract — including any repairs that were negotiated after the inspection. It's a practical check, not a formality to skip.

What the walkthrough is actually for

The walkthrough is not a substitute for the home inspection and isn't the time to raise new concerns unrelated to previously agreed items. Its purpose is narrower: confirming the home is in the expected condition, negotiated repairs were completed, and nothing has changed or been damaged since the offer was accepted.

Checking negotiated repairs

If repairs were negotiated after the inspection, the walkthrough is the time to verify they were actually completed, and ideally to standard, rather than assuming they were handled. Bringing along the original inspection report and repair agreement makes this comparison more concrete than relying on memory.

Testing systems and fixtures

Running through functional checks — flipping light switches, running faucets and checking for proper drainage, testing the garage door opener, running the HVAC system briefly, and testing major appliances included in the sale — helps catch issues that a purely visual walkthrough would miss.

Confirming included items are still present

Contracts typically specify which items stay with the home (certain appliances, fixtures, window treatments). It's worth confirming those items are still present and in their expected condition, since occasionally sellers mistakenly remove something intended to stay.

Checking for new damage

Confirming there's no new damage since the last time the home was seen — from moving out, weather events, or anything else — is part of the walkthrough's purpose. Photos from the earlier inspection can help with comparison if anything looks different.

What to do if something's wrong

If the walkthrough reveals a problem, it's generally better to address it before closing rather than after, since leverage to resolve issues is typically much stronger before funds and ownership actually change hands. Depending on the issue, options include delaying closing, negotiating a credit, or in some cases having funds held in escrow until an issue is resolved.

Where to find a walkthrough checklist

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's closing resources touch on the purpose of the final walkthrough as part of the broader closing process.

Know your numbers before closing day

Walking into closing with a clear understanding of your final payment and cash-to-close numbers avoids last-minute confusion. Use MortgageWise.online's free calculator to double-check your final numbers before you sign anything.

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