What To Know Before Your Final Walkthrough
September 29, 2021
For Buyers & Sellers
For homebuyers, the final walkthrough is one last chance to check out all the details of a new home before receiving the keys to their new dream home. For sellers, the final walkthrough is the last hurdle between a home under contract and an actual closed sale.
Understanding what the walkthrough is — and what it isn't — can help both buyers and sellers identify and meet their obligations, and can make sure your home transaction closes without incident. Learn more about what you should know before a final walkthrough.
What Is A Final Walkthrough?
Usually taking place the day of, or the day before, the close of sale, the final walkthrough is intended to allow the purchaser to confirm that the home is in the condition the buyer and seller have agreed upon. If the buyer and seller identified any repairs the seller agreed to make as part of the parties' negotiations regarding home inspection or attorney review contingencies, the buyer has an opportunity to confirm that those repairs have been completed. The buyer can also verify that the seller has not removed any appliances, fixtures, or other items that the parties agreed would be left behind. The walkthrough is usually conducted outside of the presence of the seller, with just the buyer and buyer's agent present. In some markets the listing agent will attend as well.A Walkthrough Is Not An Inspection
Part of understanding what a walkthrough is is understanding what it isn't. A final walkthrough is not a second bite at the inspection apple. By the time the walkthrough occurs, the inspection has taken place, and the buyer and seller have had a chance to negotiate any repairs, replacements, changes, or price adjustments based on the issues identified in the inspection. The walkthrough is not an opportunity to identify new issues or reopen contingencies that have long since been waived. Instead, this is an opportunity to ensure that no major damage has occurred since the inspection, especially if the home has been vacant. Buyers should also confirm that all repairs the parties negotiated about have been completed, and should make sure everything works as it should, including lights, drains, and appliances.What Should Buyers Look For?
As a buyer, it's good to come armed with a checklist. It can be easy for buyers to get caught up in looking around, particularly if the home is empty, but the walkthrough is not a time to think about couch placement or changing the window treatments. The walkthrough is serious business, and a checklist can help you make it more productive. Some things to put on your checklist include:- Check light fixtures and wall sockets. A receptacle tester, available for under $10, can help you do this, but a phone charger will work in a pinch. With the furniture removed, this is the time to test outlets that will usually be located behind furniture or other items. Ensure that any light fixtures are still in the home.
- Run water and check to make sure all drains are draining, making sure you look for leaks under sinks. Test the hot water, making sure that all sinks and showers have hot water running to them.
- Test all appliances. Make sure the fridge is cold, the stovetop heats up or lights properly, the microwave and dishwasher start up properly, and that the washing machine and dryer are functional. Ensure that the oven heats up and, if it's a gas appliance, that it does not smell like gas.
- Make sure the garage door opener and all remote controls are present and in good working order.
- Open and close all doors and windows, making sure that all locks are in working condition.
- Flush the toilets.
- Inspect ceilings, walls, and floors, checking for signs of pest infestation, mold, and water damage.
- Run the garbage disposal and exhaust fans.
- Turn on the heating and air conditioning systems.
- Check for debris outside the house.
- Don't forget the yard! Check yards, patios, and balconies for signs of disrepair. Ensure that any outdoor items that were sold with the house, including storage sheds or landscaping, are still in place.
- Ensure that all fixtures, including toilet paper holders, towel racks, window treatments, and light fixtures, are still present.
- Check that the seller's belongings are gone, and that debris is removed. Common missed spots are the attic, a loft in a garage, or kitchen drawers.
- Ensure the home has been swept or vacuumed — most sale contracts will specify that the home must be "broom clean," meaning that it must be free of debris but not cleaned to a professional standard.
How Should Sellers Prepare?
Although sellers aren't usually present for the final walkthrough, they aren't entirely off the hook. Sellers do have a much shorter walkthrough checklist, though. A few items to remember:- Leave the power, gas, and water on, even after you've moved out. Even though you may not be living in the home any longer, the buyer will need to test the functionality of appliances, outlets, faucets, and drains. A good rule of thumb is to cancel utilities a day or two after closing, to ensure that the buyer has time to set up utility service in their own name. While it may feel counterintuitive to pay for an extra day or two of utilities, few things get the heart racing like trying to get the utility company to restart services a couple hours before a home seller intends to close on the sale of a home..
- Complete any agreed-upon repairs. Generally, either in the sale agreement or as part of negotiations over contingencies, the buyer and seller will agree to a list of repairs. As the seller, make sure that the repairs are complete and satisfactory before the date of the walkthrough.
- Leave copies of any receipts or other documents related to the repair work. If there are problems down the line with a repair — for example, if the fixed roof still leaks but the buyer doesn't find out until the first big downpour — leaving a paper trail will help the buyer resolve the issue down the line.
- Ensure that all personal items, including furniture, are removed, and that the home is broom clean — cleared of any trash or debris and swept or vacuumed. Even if the buyer chooses to deep clean when they move in, you still have an obligation to make sure the home is not dirty.
- Leave any fixtures, storage sheds, and appliances you've agreed will stay with the home. A good rule of thumb is that if something is attached to the home, the parties assume that it will stay there. But if you're not sure whether, for example, the refrigerator is part of the deal, speak to your agent sooner rather than later — negotiation over a removed fixture or appliance can lead to closing delays.
When Home Means More, You Need A Team With More To Offer
Home is about so much more than just four walls. Buying or selling a home is a big deal, and our homes have never been more important. That's why your local Baird & Warner agent is with you at every step of the way, from finding the perfect home to connecting you with local experts in mortgage and title. Whether it's the beginning of a story or the end of a chapter, we're here to help.Tags:
