How to Conduct a Final Walk-Through Before Closing
The final walk-through is one of the last and most important steps before you close on your new home. It is your final opportunity to inspect the property and ensure that it is in the condition you agreed to buy it in. This is not a time for a casual stroll; it requires a detailed and methodical inspection.
Here is a guide on how to conduct a thorough final walk-through to protect your investment.
What is the Purpose of a Final Walk-Through?
The final walk-through is typically conducted 24 to 48 hours before your closing appointment. Its purpose is to verify that:
- All agreed-upon repairs from the home inspection have been completed satisfactorily.
- No new damage has occurred to the property since your last visit.
- All items the seller agreed to leave behind (like appliances or window treatments) are still in the home.
- All systems and appliances are in working order as they were when you signed the contract.
This is not a time to conduct a new home inspection or to raise new issues. It is simply a verification of the property’s agreed-upon condition.
Your Final Walk-Through Checklist
Bring a copy of your inspection report and your purchase agreement with you. Go through the home room by room and check the following:
Systems and Appliances
- Turn on the furnace and the air conditioning to ensure they are working.
- Run all faucets (hot and cold) and check for leaks under the sinks. Flush all toilets.
- Turn on all major appliances that are included with the sale (oven, stovetop, refrigerator, dishwasher, washer, dryer).
- Test all light fixtures and ceiling fans.
- Test the garage door opener.
Repairs and Condition
- Carefully check that all repairs the seller agreed to make have been completed. Bring your inspection summary so you can check them off one by one.
- Look for any new damage that may have occurred during the seller’s move-out, such as dents in walls or scratches on floors.
- Ensure all personal property belonging to the seller has been removed and the home is reasonably clean.
- Check that all fixtures included in the sale (chandeliers, window treatments, etc.) are still in place.
What if You Find an Issue?
If you find a problem, contact your real estate agent immediately. Do not wait until the closing table. Depending on the issue, your agent can negotiate a solution, such as having the seller pay for a repair or holding a portion of the seller’s proceeds in escrow until the issue is fixed.
Why Domidocs is an Essential Tool for Your Walk-Through
Documenting what you find during your walk-through is critical, and your smartphone with the Domidocs app is the perfect tool.
1. Create a Time-Stamped Photographic Record
As you conduct your walk-through, use your phone to take pictures and videos of everything. If you find an issue—such as an incomplete repair or new damage—take a clear, detailed photo. You can upload these images directly into a dedicated “Final Walk-Through” folder in your Domidocs vault. This creates a time-stamped, indisputable record of the property’s condition just before closing.
2. Organize All Your Closing Documents
The photos and notes from your walk-through can be stored in the same secure platform where you will store all the documents you receive at closing, like your deed and settlement statement. This creates a complete, organized history of your home purchase from day one, which can be invaluable if a dispute ever arises.
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