One of the biggest oversights I see with a lot of buyers, sellers, and Realtors is the final walk-through prior to closing. The long journey is nearing completion. With all that time spent searching for the perfect property or having your home on the market, negotiating terms and price, arranging financing, and doing a home inspection, it’s easy to get caught up in the working parts of your real estate transaction- but don’t forget about the final walk-through! Here are a couple tips to make sure it goes smoothly and the deal closes.
Most buyers choose to have a home inspection done during the sale process. Just before the final walk-through is usually when buyers will send their home inspector back to the home to check items that came back defective on the first inspection. This is truly the “make or break” moment of the transaction. It’s quite surprising how many times a seller will agree to fix these items, but then the re-inspection occurs and we find several items that are still not repaired. It can be frustrating if a buyer tries to nickel and dime a seller into fixing every little thing, but that’s not what I’m talking about. Oftentimes, major items are not fixed and unless there is a final walk-through, they will be missed and the buyer will not know. I’ve had situations where we have had the home inspector come out to the property three times before everything was finally fixed! And once the deal is closed, good luck getting a seller -who no longer owns the house-to fix anything! It’s not going to happen.
Sellers- remember that you are always “selling” your home throughout the process. Give your house a good cleaning for the final walk-through. Some buyers say they can overlook cosmetic issues and the way some people live, but most people can’t. That’s why it’s very important to freshen up your place and present it in the best way possible! This walk-through is the last step in closing the deal. 
Sellers – Clean that home and honor your word! If you say you’re going to fix those items then make sure you do. Even if the buyer decides not to do a final walk-through, you don’t want to leave a bad taste in anyone’s mouth. You never know who you’ll run into around town. Operating from an honest, ethical place is always the best way to go. Buyers- be firm but don’t get caught up in all the minuscule things. Good luck!
Need help Selling, Buying, or with Property Management? Gabe and Gulf Pointe Properties are glad to help: Contact Gabe directly at: 239.825.2234, Gabe@GulfPointeProperties.com or www.GulfPointeProperties.com Gabe Mellein is the broker of Gulf Pointe Properties, He is a member of The Naples Area Board of Realtors, Bonita Springs – Estero Association of Realtors, Realtor Association of Greater Fort Myers and the Beach, The Florida Association of Realtors, The National Association of Realtors, and is nationally certified in Feng Shui for Real Estate.
