What to Check During Your Final Walkthrough Before Closing

The final walkthrough is your last chance to make sure the home you are buying is in the condition you agreed to. It usually happens a day or two before you sign the final papers and get the keys. This is not a formal inspection. It is a simple visit to confirm that everything is still as it should be. The seller should have moved out, cleaned up, and left behind only the items that are part of the sale. If anything looks wrong, you can ask your real estate agent to address it before you close.

Start with the big things. Turn on the main water valve and check every faucet in the house. Let the water run for a minute in the kitchen and each bathroom. Look under sinks for any puddles or drips. Flush every toilet at least once. Make sure they fill back up properly and do not run continuously. Check the water heater. If it is making strange noises or leaking, that could be a sign of trouble. Go outside and look at the gutters. Are they attached firmly? Is there standing water near the foundation? These are things that might not have been a problem during the inspection but could have changed since then.

Next, test all the lights and outlets. Bring a small nightlight or a phone charger. Plug it into every outlet in every room. If an outlet does not work, it might be a simple fix, but you should know about it before you own the home. Flip every light switch. Look for bulbs that are burned out. While you are at it, open and close every window. Make sure the locks work. Check the sliding glass doors. They should slide easily and lock securely. If a window is stuck or a lock is broken, you want to know now.

Walk through the entire house and look at the walls and floors. Are there any new stains or holes that were not there during your last visit? If the seller agreed to make repairs after the inspection, this is the time to confirm they did the work. Check the areas that were supposed to be fixed. For example, if the inspector found a leaky pipe under the bathroom sink and the seller promised to repair it, turn on that faucet and look for leaks. If the repair was supposed to patch drywall, make sure the patch is smooth and painted to match. If the seller agreed to replace a broken window, open and close that window to make sure it is new and functional.

Do not forget the appliances. If the sale includes a refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, or microwave, open each one. Turn on the oven or run the dishwasher through a short cycle if you have time. Open the refrigerator door and make sure it feels cold inside. Check for any food left behind. The seller should have cleaned out all perishable items. If there are leftovers or trash in the kitchen, that is a sign the seller did not fully vacate. You can ask them to come back and clean it up.

Go into the basement or crawlspace if the home has one. Look for any new moisture or water stains. If it has rained recently, check for puddles or damp spots on the floor. The same goes for the attic. Shine a flashlight around and look for signs of leaks or pests. If you see droppings or holes in the insulation, mention it to your agent. The seller may need to address it before closing.

Outside the home, walk the property line if you know where it is. Check that all outdoor items left behind are actually included in the sale. Sometimes a seller will take a flower pot or a garden hose that was supposed to stay. If the contract says the swing set or the shed stays, make sure it is still there. Look at the driveway and walkways for any new cracks or damage. If there was snow or debris covering the driveway during the inspection, you might see cracks now that were hidden before.

Finally, bring your Closing Disclosure with you. This is the document that itemizes the final costs of the loan. Look it over for any fees or numbers that seem different from what you expected. The walkthrough is not the time to negotiate the closing costs, but if you see a major error like a loan amount that does not match your agreement, you need to speak up before you sign. Also, confirm that the seller has turned over all keys, garage door openers, mail keys, and any codes for alarm systems. If the house has a security system, ask your agent how to get the code or reset it after closing.

Remember, the final walkthrough is not meant to be a second home inspection. If you find small issues like a light bulb that is out or a smudge on the wall, those are usually not deal breakers. But if you find a major problem like a broken furnace or a leaking roof, you have the right to pause the closing and ask for repairs or a price reduction. Work with your real estate agent. They have handled walkthroughs many times and can help you decide what is worth pushing for. The goal is to get into your new home without surprises. Take your time, be thorough, and do not be shy about pointing out anything that seems off. This is your last chance to make things right before the house becomes yours.