What should I expect at the final walk-through before closing?
Reviewed August 2026 by Shannon Miles Group
The final walk-through is your last opportunity to verify the property's condition before closing. You check that the home is in the same condition as when you made your offer, that agreed-upon repairs have been completed, that all systems are functioning, that fixtures are present, and that no new damage has occurred since the inspection. It is not a new inspection. It is not a chance to renegotiate the price. If you find an issue, you should involve your agent and the appropriate professionals promptly.
What to look for on your walk-through.
The final walk-through typically happens 24 to 48 hours before closing. It is usually scheduled with your agent, who will accompany you. The seller or the seller's agent may also be present. Here is what you should check.
What to verify
- Overall condition. The home should be in substantially the same condition as when you made your offer. Walk through every room. Look at walls, floors, ceilings, and windows for new damage.
- Agreed repairs. If you negotiated repairs with the seller, verify that they have been completed. Bring your repair request list and check each item. If a repair was supposed to be done by a professional, ask for a receipt or invoice.
- Systems (brief check). Turn on a few lights, run water in the kitchen and bathroom sinks, flush toilets, and check that the HVAC system turns on. You are not doing a new inspection, but a basic functionality check makes sense.
- Fixtures and personal property. Confirm that all fixtures that were included in the contract (light fixtures, blinds, appliances, window coverings) are still present. If the contract says the washer, dryer, or refrigerator stays, verify they are still there.
- Seller move-out. If the seller has already moved out, verify that the home has been cleaned and that no debris or personal property has been left behind. If the seller is still occupying the home, agree on a plan for move-out timing.
- No new damage. Check for water stains, new cracks, broken windows, or other damage that may have occurred since the inspection. Look in the attic and crawl space if you can access them safely.
What the walk-through is not
- Not a new inspection. You are not re-inspecting the entire home. The walk-through is a quick check, not a thorough evaluation. If the inspection was three weeks ago, do not expect the inspector to have found everything a second time.
- Not a renegotiation. The walk-through is not an opportunity to ask for a lower price or demand new repairs for items that existed at the time of your offer. It is for verifying condition and agreed repairs only.
- Not a chance to test everything. You cannot test every outlet, every appliance cycle, every window lock. Pick a representative sample. If something specific was flagged in the inspection, focus on that.
What to do if you find a problem
If the walk-through reveals an issue such as an uncompleted repair, new damage, or a missing fixture, stay calm and involve your agent immediately. Your agent will communicate with the seller's agent to determine the best course of action. Depending on the severity, the resolution may involve completing the repair before closing, providing a credit at closing, or delaying closing until the issue is resolved. Your contract provides remedies for these situations. Do not attempt to address the issue directly with the seller.
If the issue is minor (a small scuff on the wall or a light bulb that burned out), it is generally not worth delaying closing over. Use your judgment and consult your agent about what is reasonable to pursue and what is normal wear and tear.
Making the walk-through productive.
- Bring your inspection report and repair list. Having these documents with you helps you remember what was flagged and what was agreed upon.
- Take photos. Document the condition of the property during the walk-through with your phone camera. If a dispute arises later, you will have evidence.
- Bring your agent. Your agent should be present for the walk-through. They know the contract terms and can help you assess whether an issue is worth raising before closing.
- Do not skip it. Even in a smooth transaction, a walk-through can catch issues that would be expensive or frustrating to fix after closing. Always schedule it.
- Trust your agent's guidance. If the agent tells you something is a minor issue not worth delaying closing, listen. If they say something is serious enough to pause the transaction, trust their judgment. They have done this before.
We will be with you every step, including the final walk-through.
Call us or stop by our office at 2322 Lamar Ave. in Paris. We are here to make sure your closing goes smoothly.