Step 28: Attend the Walk Through

Like mentioned before, once we get the clear to close we will be scheduling your final walk through in your new home. The walk through will typically happen the day before closing, and it gives you the chance to make sure the home is in the same condition as it was during the inspection period. This process only takes about 20 minutes and your agent will be attending with you in case any problems do arise they can help you. If you can’t do it the day before closing, call us and let us know when you will be available to attend.

What you should check during the final walk through:

• Verify that all repairs you asked for on the inspection are completed. Collect paid receipts and related warranties prior to the walk through.
• Check that all appliances are in working order.
• Check to make sure there are no damages made to the home after the seller moved out.
• Make sure all items included in the sale price (fixtures, curtains, etc.) are still in the house. This includes anything that was attached to the wall previously. This could be a tv mount, shelving, lighting fixtures, etc. Double check and make sure the items were not excluded in the contract.
• Make sure any screens or storm windows are in place or at least stored somewhere.
• Test items such as the doorbell, alarm, heater, and hot water to make sure they are in working order.
• House should be clean after sellers moved out.
• Ask when trash pick up day is.
• Get the garage door openers if that applies.
• Find any instruction books or warranty information for the appliances.
• Double check to make sure all personal items or debris are not left by the seller. This could be food in the fridge or clothing in the closets.

This is what the final walk through is not:

• This is not time for friends and family to come and take a look at the property with you.
• This is also not a time for you to bring any contractors in to give you estimates. All of this can wait until closing is completed and you officially own the property.
• Do not start moving anything in to the home since you do not own the property at this point. Wait until after closing and you officially own the property.
• You do not receive keys this day. That will be on the day of closing.

We will coordinate with the listing broker to get the keys from them. This includes the mailbox keys, fobs, and anything else related. From there we will pick up the keys and give them to you after closing.

What happens if you find damage at the walk through or the seller didn’t do one of the required repairs?

If something like this happens you have three options:

1. You can ask to delay closing for a couple days or weeks depending on the extent of what needs to be repaired, and ask the seller to repair what’s damaged.
2. You can ask the sellers for money to cover the repairs at closing into escrow so you can still close on time.
3. You can ask the sellers for a credit to cover the repairs so you can still close on time, but have the funds to pay for repairs after closing.

If the sellers do not agree to do any of the above, you have the right to cancel the contract and walk away. This is a rare case and should only occur if all options have been exhausted.

We are almost through the home buying process!

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