Short answerConfirm the house is in the condition you agreed to buy. Check that agreed repairs are done, systems run, nothing new is damaged, items included in the sale are still there, and the seller's belongings and trash are gone. Run water, heat or cooling, and appliances. Raise any problem before you sign closing documents.
Checklist
- Agreed repairs completed, with receipts.
- Furnace and air conditioning run.
- Faucets, toilets, and the water heater work; no leaks under sinks.
- Appliances included in the sale are present and work.
- No new damage from moving out.
- Garage door openers, keys, and codes.
- Basement or crawlspace dry.
Frequently asked questions
When does the final walkthrough happen?
Usually within a day or two of closing, as your contract allows.
What if I find a problem?
Tell your agent right away, before you sign. It may be fixed, credited, or held in escrow.
Keep reading
Looking at a house and not sure what you are getting into?
Ask for a free Before You Offer review. Send me the listing. I look over the photos, the seller's disclosure, and recent sales, then flag likely condition issues and planning cost ranges before you write an offer.
Request a Before You Offer reviewOr call or text (812) 525-5489, or email [email protected].
The Before You Offer review is a REALTOR® and contractor review of the listing, not a home inspection. It is for buyers who are not already working with an agent. If you have an agent, please bring these questions to your agent.
Written by John Long, REALTOR®, 1 Percent Lists Indiana Real Estate. Working contractor who has priced hundreds of home inspection repair requests. Former labor relations negotiator for a major manufacturer and U.S. Coast Guard veteran.
John Long, REALTOR® · 1 Percent Lists Indiana Real Estate · (812) 525-5489 · yourpropertynegotiator.com
This page is general information, not a substitute for a professional home inspection, and not legal, tax, insurance, or lending advice. Ask a real estate attorney about contracts and disclosure, a CPA about taxes, your lender about loan rules, and a licensed inspector or tradesperson about your house. Nothing here guarantees a sale price, net proceeds, repair cost, payment, timeline, appraisal, inspection result, or loan approval. Cost figures are planning estimates, not bids. I own Wardmark Property Operations LLC, a contracting company. You are always free to use any contractor you choose.