Step 23 to Selling Your Home: The Final Walk-Through

The final walk through usually occurs the afternoon before closing or the morning of closing and is a chance for the buyer and the buyer’s Realtor to walk through the property and make sure it’s in the same condition as it was during the inspection. Generally, the walk through takes about 15 minutes and I attend in case any problems come up. It’s best if you are completely moved out and the home has been thoroughly cleaned by the time the walk through occurs.

Here’s what the final walk through is:

• A second chance for the buyer to make sure all of the appliances are still working
• An opportunity to make sure you didn’t damage anything while moving out 
• A time to make sure the property is clean
• When we explain to the buyer what day the trash is picked up, where the mail box station is, etc.

Here is what the final walk through IS NOT:

• It’s not a time to have the buyer’s parents, friends, etc. come look at the property or for contractors give them estimates, etc. All of that can wait until the next day once they’ve officially bought the property.  
• It’s not a time for the buyer to begin moving boxes or other items into the property. That has to wait until after closing.
• It’s not when the buyer receives the keys. Instead, we will typically give the title company a key at the signing and leave all other keys, garage door openers at the home.   Once we have closed and recorded at the courthouse, the buyer’s or buyer's Realtor will pick up the key from the title company.