The final walkthrough is one of the last steps before you close on a home, and it's one that buyers sometimes treat as a formality. It isn't. It's your last real opportunity to confirm that what you're buying is what you agreed to buy — and that nothing has changed since you signed the contract.
Most walkthroughs happen 24 to 48 hours before closing. You're typically there for 30 to 60 minutes. Here's how to use that time well.
Confirm the Home Is in the Same Condition
Your offer was based on the home in a specific condition. Between contract and closing, the sellers have been living there, packing, and moving out — and things can change. Your job during the walkthrough is to verify that nothing has been damaged in the process.
Walk every room and look at the floors, walls, and ceilings. Check for scuffs, holes, or damage that wasn't there before. Look at doorframes and baseboards — these often take hits during a move. If you notice something new, document it with photos before you leave.
Pay attention to what's missing too. Sellers occasionally remove light fixtures, built-in shelving, or other items that were supposed to convey with the home. If a chandelier you loved is gone, that's a conversation to have before you sit down at the closing table.
Test Every System and Appliance
This is not the time to be polite. Turn things on. Run them.
Go through the home and test the following: the HVAC system — run both heat and air conditioning, even if it's a mild day. Check that air is actually coming from the vents in each room. The water heater should be set and functioning. Turn on every faucet and let it run long enough to check pressure and drainage. Flush every toilet. Run the dishwasher through a short cycle. Turn on the oven and all burners. Check the microwave if it's included. Test every light switch and outlet you can find, including outdoor fixtures, the garage, and any finished basement or attic space.
If something doesn't work, you want to know now — not after you've signed.
Verify Agreed Repairs Were Completed
If the seller agreed to make repairs as part of your negotiation, the walkthrough is when you confirm they were done — and done properly. Don't just look for a visual patch. Ask to see receipts or permits for any work that required a licensed contractor.
A repair that was done hastily or incompletely can become your problem the moment closing happens. If a repair is missing or clearly inadequate, that needs to be addressed before you proceed.
Check That All Included Items Are Present
Review what was listed as included in your contract — appliances, window treatments, garage door openers, mounted televisions, outdoor equipment, pool equipment if applicable. Walk through that list and confirm each item is there.
It sounds tedious, but this is also the step where buyers most often discover that something expected didn't stay. Sellers don't always remove items out of bad faith — sometimes it's a miscommunication — but catching it now is far easier than trying to resolve it after closing.
Look for Any New Moisture or Leaks
Check under every sink. Look at the ceilings for any water staining that wasn't there during your inspection. Go to the basement or crawl space and look for standing water or new damp spots, especially if there's been rain recently. Water issues can develop quickly, and the period when a home is being vacated — with systems being turned off and on and appliances moved — is a common time for leaks to appear.
What to Do If Something Is Wrong
If you find a problem during the walkthrough, don't panic — but don't ignore it either. Take photos of everything and contact your agent immediately. Depending on what it is, your options typically include requesting a repair before closing, negotiating a credit at the table, or in more serious cases, delaying closing until the issue is resolved.
The vast majority of walkthroughs are uneventful. But the ones that aren't are exactly why the walkthrough exists.
If you're buying a home in Northern Virginia and want an agent who will walk through this process with you step by step, our team at The Redux Group is here to help. Reach out at thereduxgroup.com.
