Check the home before closing
The final walkthrough checks the property against the agreement and what has happened since you last saw it. It is your opportunity to raise a condition issue before the transaction is completed.
Plan the timing with your team
Schedule the walkthrough close to closing, ideally after the seller has moved out if that is the agreed arrangement. The right timing depends on access, occupancy, and the contract. Closing-day walkthroughs can be appropriate; a visit days earlier may leave changes unseen.
Bring the relevant contract provisions, agreed repair list, inspection notes, and a way to document concerns. Allow time to communicate with your attorney if something is wrong. A walkthrough is not a new comprehensive inspection.
Use the same route through the house
Look for new damage, water entry, missing included items, or belongings that should have been removed. Check agreed appliances and accessible fixtures where safe and permitted. Confirm keys, remotes, and other access items that are to be delivered.
Evaluate the condition required by the contract. Do not assume it promises professional deep cleaning or replacement of items that were already worn. Separate a new or unresolved issue from a condition you previously accepted.
Verify promised work
Ask for receipts, permits, warranties, or other evidence required by the repair agreement. If the issue requires expertise, discuss reinspection by the appropriate professional. A quick visual look may not show whether electrical, structural, or other specialized work was done correctly.
Make a factual record: location, what you observed, and the agreement it relates to. Photos can help if permitted, but do not put yourself at risk to obtain them. If you suspect a gas leak, leave immediately and call 911 or the gas utility from a safe location. Do not operate switches or stay inside to investigate.
Raise problems before proceeding
Contact your agent and attorney promptly with the facts. The attorney can address the contractual options and any proposed repair, credit, escrow arrangement, or delay. A lender may also need to approve a change.
Do not rely on a casual promise that someone will fix an issue after closing. Any agreed resolution needs appropriate documentation, responsibility, and timing. Ask your attorney what the remaining uncertainty means before deciding whether to proceed.
If something important has changed, tell your attorney before closing—not after you have the keys.
Your next step
Use page 12 of the workbook to record:
- Walkthrough time, occupancy arrangement, and people attending
- Included items, new damage, and removal of belongings
- Agreed repairs and supporting records checked
- Unresolved issues, professional contacted, and written resolution
Further reading
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Ask Tom a questionHow I help buyersEducational guidance by Thomas Brady, Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker, Vintage American Realty, LLC. Updated September 11, 2026. Your lender, attorney, insurer, and other qualified professionals should confirm the requirements for your purchase.