Final Walk through Inspection

Every homebuyer should plan on their final walk through inspection of their new home before closing to make sure the conditions of the property are the same as when you signed your contract.

Take the walk through early and check to see that repairs have been done. Don't put off this inspection because if a problem still exists then you have time to get it resolved. Try to take the inspector who did the original inspection with you. Even though you do an early walk through it still should not take the place of the final walk through.

Do your final walk through after the seller has moved out, but do it before you go to closing. At this time, you have already inspected the repairs; you just want to make sure the home is in the same condition as when you signed the contract. Look at the walls and around the door frames for any rips gouges. Check to make sure all the systems are working. Test the appliances and the furnace and air conditioning. Make sure that any items the seller agreed to leave are there. Make sure all the items the seller agreed to remove are gone.

If the conditions of the home are different that when you made your offer then bring these problems to everyone's attention before the final paperwork is signed. At this point negotiations for repairs or replacements can be done. An alternative to negotiations could be a flat amount paid at the closing. Or, you may want to possibly delay closing all together.

The final walk through is not the inspection, it is the time when you need to make sure this is the home you agreed to purchase.

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