Think of the walkthrough as a confirmation, not a new inspection. Your inspection already happened earlier in the contract, and this visit answers one question: does the home still match what you agreed to buy? The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau puts the buyer task plainly before closing: inspect the home, make sure it is acceptable, and confirm any agreed upon repairs have been completed. In Fairfax, buyers usually do this walkthrough with their agent after the seller has moved out, because an empty home is far easier to check honestly.
Start with the contract, then walk room by room. Confirm the repairs the seller agreed to are actually done, and bring any receipts the agreement called for. Check that appliances, fixtures, and other items included in the sale are still in the home, including window treatments and lighting that were supposed to stay. Then test the basics: run faucets and look under sinks for leaks, flush toilets, open and close doors and windows, and run the heating and cooling so you know both still work. In Vienna, move out damage is the quiet issue to watch for, such as scraped floors, holes from removed mounts, or a garage door that no longer opens cleanly.
Also confirm the home was left as the contract requires. The seller's belongings and debris should be gone, including from the attic, basement, garage, and yard, unless you agreed otherwise. Look for anything new since your inspection: water stains, a leaking water heater, or damage that was hidden by furniture before. In Alexandria and across Northern Virginia, this is also the moment to collect what should transfer at closing, such as keys, garage openers, and appliance manuals, and to note anything missing while both agents can still fix it quickly.
If something is wrong, tell your agent right away, before you sign. Most problems get resolved between the agents with a repair, a credit, or a written agreement on how the item will be handled after closing, and serious issues can be a reason to pause until the contract terms are met. What the walkthrough is not for is reopening old findings: a worn carpet or an older system you already saw at inspection was part of the deal you made. Walk slowly, test everything, and do not rush the last check on the largest purchase you will make.
FAQ
When does the final walkthrough happen?
Usually within a day or two before closing, ideally after the seller has moved out. Doing it close to settlement leaves little time for anything to change afterward, and an empty home makes repairs, included items, and any new damage much easier to verify.
Is a final walkthrough the same as a home inspection?
No. The home inspection was a detailed look at the home's condition during your contingency period. The walkthrough is a confirmation visit: it checks that agreed repairs are done, included items are still there, systems still work, and no new damage happened since the inspection.
What should I bring to the final walkthrough?
Bring your contract and inspection repair agreement, so you can check the home against what was actually promised. Bring your phone for photos if something looks off, and plan to test faucets, toilets, appliances, doors, windows, and heating and cooling while you are there.
What happens if I find a problem at the final walkthrough?
Tell your agent immediately, before closing. Common resolutions include the seller completing the repair, offering a credit, or signing a written agreement on how the item will be handled. Serious problems can pause closing until the contract terms are met, so raising them early gives you the most options.