Every Buyer should do a final walk-through the morning of the closing. By that time, the property should be empty. Buyers should be looking for the following things:

  1. The property must be empty of people and personal belongings;
  2. The agreed-upon appliances and furniture should be present and in the same condition as when the contract was signed;
  3. The agreed-upon repairs should be completed;
  4. The overall condition of the property (walls, carpet, floors, etc…) should be in the same condition as when the contract was signed;
  5. Check the faucets, sinks, toilets and showers for proper water flow and draining;
  6. Check the electrical to make sure the lights, ceiling fans, and outlets work properly;
  7. Walk around the exterior of the house to make sure there is no recent damage from high winds, hail, or storms.

This list is not exhaustive but gives Buyers a short checklist of things to do during their final walk-through. Your real estate broker will attend the final walk-through with you and will be able to assist you in working through the checklist.

If there is a problem, contact your attorney immediately to resolve the issue. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon to encounter problems during the final walk-through. In the past these situations could usually be cured by an increased closing cost credit. However, under new TRID guidelines, that is no longer a viable option. The Buyers have a few other options: 1) continue the closing until the repairs are made; or 2) hold back a portion of the Sellers’ proceeds in a repair escrow.