Is it time for your Buyers to do their final walkthrough? If you’re selling a home we have 10 tips to make sure your final walkthrough is smooth sailing.
Hey there! I’m Lindsay, a proud Anthem resident and your local REALTOR® with the Wise Move AZ Team at Realty ONE Group. If you want to stay up to date on all things Anthem and Real Estate then you need to subscribe to our YouTube Channel. Pro Tip: You’re also going to want to hit that little bell icon while you’re there so that you’re the first to know when our new videos are posted every single Thursday!
The Final Walkthrough
The final walkthrough is an important piece of the home selling process that you need to prepare for. As your Anthem, Arizona REALTOR®, I know just how liberating it can be to hear that all went well with the buyer’s walkthrough. That’s one of the very last hurdles before closing. Yay!
Through this video I’ll share 10 tips to give you the confidence that your buyer’s final walkthrough will go off without a hitch. At the end of this blog post, I will also give you access to a copy of the Arizona Pre-Closing Walkthrough form, so that you know exactly what the Buyer’s will be signing and how it can impact you.
If you’re buying a home, don’t worry, we covered our best tips for buyers in last week’s video/blog post, so feel free to click here to hop over there now.
The Contract Says…
First things first, before we get to our tips, let’s see what the Arizona Residential Resale Purchase Contract has to say about the Final Walkthrough:
“Seller grant Buyer and Buyer’s inspector(s) reasonable access to conduct walkthrough(s) of the Premises for the purpose of satisfying Buyer that any corrections or repairs agreed to by Seller have been completed, and the Premises are in substantially the same condition as of the date of contract acceptance. If Buyer does not conduct such walkthrough(s), Buyer releases Seller and Broker(s) from liability for any defects that could have been discovered”
Okay, I know it’s always a bit dry when we read through the contract, but this is SO important.
Long story short, the point of the walkthrough is to make sure the house is in substantially the same condition and that any agreed upon repairs are completed. It is NOT an opportunity for the Buyer, to negotiate further repairs.
Tips for a Smooth Walkthrough
So, what can you do to make sure your Final Walkthrough goes smoothly:
#1 Make the Home Available
I know you’re busy packing and moving, and it’s not always convenient to let the Buyer in, buy remember that you are contractually obligated to grant them reasonable access. Think about how you would feel if you were buying.
#2 Consider Moving Before
If possible you may want to be fully moved out prior to the final walkthrough. Usually the walkthrough happens 1-3 days before closing. If you’re not already out, you should be close. If the Buyer walks in and it looks like you haven’t even started packing, it can cause some panic. We know this isn’t always possible, and if you can’t be out, just give the Buyer and their agent space and time to do the walkthrough.
#3 Ensure all Repairs are Completed
During the BINSR process you may have agreed to complete some repairs prior to closing. If this is the case, review the BINSR very carefully and check, double, and triple check to make sure you have done everything you agreed to do.
#4 Provide Proof
If you did any repairs send copies of receipts and photos to your agent. They will be able to share them with the Buyer’s agent as proof that the work has been completed. You are not obligated to do this but it’s to your benefit to be transparent about the work done. This one tip alone can make the walkthrough go smoothly.
#5 Test It
Do a quick walk of the property, make sure that everything is in substantially the same condition as when you went under contract. Make sure the lights are working and be sure to leave any remotes or operating instructions out for the Buyer.
#6 Utilities
It is your responsibility to ensure that the utilities are on for the final walkthrough. Don’t cancel them too soon.
#7 Don’t Leave Keys Out
While we encourage you to leave remote controls and other operating instructions for the final walkthrough, we don’t want you to leave keys to the house. Leave the keys for the Buyers after the final walkthrough or make arrangements with your agent. The Buyer is not entitled to the keys until the home has closed, and we certainly don’t want them to be tempted to take them at the walkthrough.
#8 Disclose
This is a good time to make sure all your disclosures are up to date. Often at this point it has been a month or so since the Buyer last saw the house. Did anything happen between now and then? Was there a leak in the roof you had to fix? Did a tree fall down in a storm? If anything material has happened since you went under contract, work with your REALTOR® to properly disclose it. We don’t want the Buyers arriving to a surprise and holding up closing for something that’s already been resolved.
#9 Check on Your Home
If you are still living at the home this is irrelevant, if you are not, check on the home the morning of the final walkthrough. Anything can happen and you don’t want to find out from your agent that the walkthrough went terribly because part of the roof blew off in the storm last night and you didn’t know. If you can’t check on the house have a friend, neighbor, or your agent do it.
#10 Stay Calm
If all agreed repairs are completed and the home is in substantially the same condition you are good to go! Congratulations! The Buyer cannot hold up closing or ask for additional repairs for insignificant things. You should be smooth sailing into closing.
So, there you have it! What do you think? Are you ready to tackle the final walkthrough. If so, give me an ‘I’m ready’ in the comments.
Pre-Closing Walkthrough
As promised, if you would like to download a copy of the Pre-Closing Walkthrough Form we use here in Arizona, you can do that by clicking here.
See YOU, next Thursday!
