In the days leading up to the closing of your new home, there's a few items you shouldn't forget to check off your to-do list. One of them being "Do a Final Walk Thru".

A final walk-thru is NOT:

  • a chance to go back and ask for more repairs to be made (assuming no further damage has been done since the inspection)
  • an opportunity to negotiate on any previously negotiated item (price, closing date, etc)
  • a time to decide you really don't like the _________ (paint colors, floor plan, wallpaper, etc) and back out.

So, what IS a final walk-thru for?

  • to verify that all agreed upon repairs have been completed
  • to make sure that the condiiton of the home has not changed since contract signing - for example: the roof hasn't blown off in a storm, a hole hasn't been punched through a wall, paint hasn't been spilled on the carpeting, etc.
  • to allow the buyers a chance to measure for new furniture - like refrigerator spaces in the kitchen, or the length of a wall for a new couch
  • to mentally note where cable/internet outlets are so that they can inform their new service providers of any new outlets they'd like installed.

The best time to do a final walk-thru is as close to closing as possible - but not TOO close. I like to ask the listing agent to have all final repairs completed (with receipts sent to me) at least two days prior to our agreed upon closing date.

If you wait too close to closing - like the morning OF closing - then there may not be enough time to address repairs that were not done correctly. This could lead to a delay in closing and unhappy clients. NOT the way you want to end an otherwise smooth transaction!

 

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Post is included in group: Diary of a Realtor
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53 Comments on Why Should You Do a Final Walk-Thru?

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

APR
16
2012

Final walk-through is extremely important. When I have buyers who do not want to do final walk through, I also get it in writing that they declined.

11:25am • #34

Good points!  Thanks for sharing.

11:33am • #35
166,347 Points 1 Featured Post Attended Rain Camp

Especially like your thoughts here...

If you wait too close to closing - like the morning OF closing - then there may not be enough time to address repairs that were not done correctly. This could lead to a delay in closing and unhappy clients.

At a walk-thru last week where the Buyer walked in (seller already gone), ran upstairs, poked his head in each room and started to leave (His agent wasn't there either).

I asked if he'd like to check any of the appliances or plumbing and he said no, he had to go, bu would see me at the closing in the AM.

Fastest walk-thru I'd ever been thru.  Hope it all worked out for him!  I would have been there to guide my client. Joy

11:42am • #36
1,582,982 Points 429 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Kim

A great overview on why buyers should do a final walk-through and what to look for. I have never had a buyer not do one except when they are out of town. We get a waiver signed if they elect to not do on or can't be present.

Jeff

12:15pm • #37
299,808 Points 7 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Hi Kim, excellent post on the final walk through. Making sure the agent has all that information ready for you really makes a difference.

12:23pm • #38
699,194 Points 39 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Yep, we still hear of people that are too busy to do their walk thru's & then there are 'problems'.

1:16pm • #39
316,094 Points 4 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router Called Shot Master

I find the buyer especially the first time home buyers are so excited to see the home again, they love to do the walk through. Many of the transactions locally are short sales or REO's where there are no repair items to check on but I do believe it is important for the buyers to do the walk through anyways.

2:56pm • #40
856,937 Points 173 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Nice, clear explanation of the walk-through.  I've had a lot of clients who - even after getting a similar explanation - want to ask for credits and other things.

2:57pm • #41
195,312 Points Outside Blog

All good reminders about the importance of the final walk through for sellers and buyers.

3:10pm • #42
871,221 Points 47 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

We like to walk a property when the Sellers have moved out, so it must usually be done the day of closing. Repairs are verified prior to that time, but the best walk is when there is no furniture in the house.

Sharon

5:17pm • #43

I did a final walk-through of a townhouse and learned that the dryer didn't heat and that the dishwasher was leaking water onto the kitchen floor when it was in the wash cycle.  The repairs held up the deal, because it was already owned by a RELO company and they did not have authorization to replace the appliances or give a seller concession.  So, the closing was delayed until the following week and the repairs were made.  Then on the new closing date, I checked the dishwasher and it was still dripping!  They ended up giving a seller's concession and also paid for an emergency repair the previous weekend.  Phew!

 

5:31pm • #44
152,508 Points Outside Blog

Depending on the time of the week, I prefer 3 days before Closing. PLENTY of time to do any unfinished agreed upon repairs and then do a re-walk-thru.

7:44pm • #45
140,313 Points Attended Rain Camp

Dear Kim,

Regarding repairs, I usually check them right after they were completed to make sure, we can call back the vendor, if there are problems. We do the walkthrough right before settlement, because I and a colleague have had a refrigerator walk onto the moving truck, due to a poorly instructed moving company. A diaper pail as well, but the previous owners were not too keen on getting it back after it travelled to Tennessee for three weeks with a ripe load.

7:53pm • #46
1,022,895 Points 15 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Good post on a subject we often do not see covered.  Thanks.

9:14pm • #47
APR
17
2012
3 Featured Posts

I agree that you should make sure you give yourself time to address any issues. Too often agents do the walk through on the way to the closing. This just doesn't leave any time to resolve issues.

6:20am • #48

Kim,

This is great!

I love it!

Great post!

Kevin

10:42am • #49
APR
19
2012
118,017 Points Outside Blog Hit Router

In the world of short sales, a walk thru is also a good time to see if there is evidence of moving going on!

8:43am • #50
APR
24
2012

Hello people!!

 

There is no such word in the English language as "THRU" !!

 

It does not exists!!

 

The correct spelling is "through"

 

It's embarrassing for us agents to misspell simple 3rd grade words.

 

Back to the subject. There were two occasions in the past where my buyer and I performed a final walkthough the day before COE and stopped the closing because of work promised that was never completed. This was a wakeup call to the seller because they were thinking that the deal was done and they didn't have to perform.

 

1:17pm • #51
OCT
20
978,393 Points 114 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

@#51, there's no such word as WTF, but we use it anyway and we know exactly what it means!

Back to the subject, I do the final walk-thru with my clients and they really don't care how I spell it, just as long as we do it.  A very good post with a very thorough explanation of what it is and what it is not.

4:16pm • #52
FEB
14
115,346 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Great post, and all terrific advice for buyers.  I also think it's a good thing to have your home inspector come along if possible to the walk through, as not all repairs can be confirmed with an untrained eye.  Thanks for sharing!

9:37am • #53

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Kim Daugherty, d + b real estate McKinney, TX REALTOR Broker/Owner

McKinney, TX

More about me…

www.RealFamilyRealEstate.com

Address: McKinney, Allen, Prosper, Frisco, Plano, Fairview, Lucas, Celina, Melissa & Anna, "In McKinney's Historic Downtown - on the Square!", McKinney, TX , 75069

Office Phone: (972) 838-5394

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As a McKinney Texas REALTOR I'm proud to say that I live here, work here and play here! My blog will feature real estate information & market activity specific to McKinney, Allen, Frisco, Plano, Prosper and surrounding Collin County cities. Whether you are a local buyer, seller, renter, resident or fellow agent, I hope that this blog will provide insight into what makes McKinney and Collin County so unique!
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