Other Important Considerations
This Is Not a Full Inspection: The walk-through is your chance to confirm the home's condition hasn’t changed since your last visit, not to perform a detailed home inspection. You’re looking for new damage, incomplete repairs, or missing items, not minor cosmetic issues that were already present.
Don’t Expect a Deep Clean: The seller is generally expected to remove personal belongings but not necessarily to deep clean the home unless specified in the contract. Some contracts require "broom clean" condition, meaning the house should be free of trash and debris but not spotless. Similarly, the seller is not required to patch or paint minor holes unless specified in your contract.
Confirm Repairs, But Don’t Assume Perfection: If the seller agreed to make repairs, verify they were completed properly and request receipts if needed. However, keep in mind that even if the quality of the seller's repair may not meet your standards, as long as the repair has been made you might not be able to demand additional fixes at this stage.
Expect the House to Feel Different: An empty home can feel different than when it was staged or furnished. Minor scuffs, wall marks, or faded paint where pictures once hung may become more noticeable.
Don’t Rush, But Don’t Delay Closing Either: Schedule the walk-through as close to closing as possible (ideally the same day or 24 hours before) to avoid surprises. If serious issues arise (like major damage or missing agreed upon items), work with the listing agent or seller to resolve them before closing, but small issues shouldn’t necessarily delay the process.
Be Ready to Problem Solve, Not Just Identify Issues: If you find a problem, consider practical solutions. For example, negotiating a credit at closing rather than demanding last minute repairs. Some issues might not be worth holding up the purchase, especially if they can be easily fixed after you move in.
