Homebuyer Question: What do we do on the final walkthrough?
/by Brian Huie on 6/25/2024
In short, the final walkthrough is your chance to check the home’s condition to ensure you are receiving it in the same condition as when you made your offer.
Often times, sellers have moved out of the home before they out it on the market. And, they may have hired stagers. If the home was staged when you initially viewed the home and made your offer, you’ll want to walkthrough each space to check for things like damaged drywall that could have occurred while the stagers were removing their furniture. Things like nail holes from hanging wall art are not considered during this process, as this is considered normal wear and tear. But, if they put a large hole in the wall while going around a corner with the sofa, this is something that is the seller’s responsibility to fix before we close on your home.
Were there any repairs agreed upon in the sales contract (either in your initial offer, or as part of an inspection contingency)? If so, this is your opportunity to make sure they completed all agreed upon repairs.
Additionally, this is an opportunity to make sure everything that is supposed to come with the home is indeed still there. For example, appliances. In our market is is pretty standard for all, or most, major appliances to be part of the sale, and are listed in the sales contract. And, there may be some other non-permanent fixtures in the home that you have requested as part of the sales contract. Or, perhaps, the seller originally intended to keep some special fixtures, and the home was marketed as such- for example, if the seller had an expensive light fixture that they loved, they may market the home as not including that fixture. However, if your offer requested this light fixture remain in the home as part of the sale, and the seller agreed to those terms; then they must leave it behind. During the walk through look for all attached and non-attached items that were marked to be included in the sale in the contract.
In rare situations, new damages that are not the “fault” of the seller may occur during the weeks that the transaction is pending. Although the seller may not have caused the damage, the sales contract stipulates that they are to turn the home over to you in the same condition as when you made the offer, and therefore they are responsible for returning it to that condition. If you notice any issues such as a new leak coming from an appliance, signs of burglary, or other new issues, we will notify the seller’s agent so that they can fix them before closing. If the issues can no be fixed in time for closing, we can requested a delay in closing from escrow.
It is not common that we will encounter an issue during the walk through. However it is for your benefit that the right to a final walk through exists, and knowing what to to look out for will help you to have a smooth closing and key hand off.