‘Walk-Through’ The Eyes Of Agents and Buyers

As a society, we rarely see things eye-to-eye. We were told as children that no two snowflakes are alike, and therefore neither are humans. This is especially true of how we view things. Two strangers can walk into a home, look at all the same rooms, and not view it in the same manner. Think of it as the real estate version of Rashomon. The classic 1950 Japanese film of the same name, created a new term known as the Rashomon effect. In the film, the accounts of the witnesses, suspects, and victims of a rape and murder are all viewed differently. Granted, that’s a pretty serious scenario compared to the way a realtor and prospective client might view a home, but the contradictory interpretations of the same event by different people still applies here. Welcome to the walk-through.

One of the concluding moments that a buyer has before closing is that final walk-though. The walk-through is also the last chance that the realtor has to seal the deal before the official closing. Some buyers see this final walk-through as an inspection, but it isn’t. A home inspection would have taken place a long time before the last walk-through. Sure, the buyer will inspect the property with their own eyes one final time, while the realtor will make sure the property is in the same condition as when it was first seen, but this is not an official home inspection. There should also be some sort of checklist on the completion of any negotiated repairs and/or replacements that were agreed upon. Both sides are after the same thing, even if they don’t see it in the same manner. An agent and buyer have come a long way from the initial contract offer. After all the talk of financing, inspections, and appraisals, this last checkup is crucial before all the documents are signed and keys are handed.

If it sounds like both sides are walking on eggshells, it’s because they kind of are. Both parties have a lot on the line here. The agent has made sure the home looks just right for the soon-to-be buyer. They have arranged every last detail for this ultimate walk-through, and it’s up to the buyer to cross every “t”, dot every “i”, leave no stone unturned, and every other cliché that you can think of. Agents will remind sellers to be moved out by at least three days before the closing. The house needs to be vacant by the time the buyers are ready for the final walk-through. It’s up to the realtors to make sure the home has been left thoroughly spotless by the sellers. In a worse case situation, you can hire professional cleaners to take care of the carpets, floors, stove, oven, cabinets, and anything else that has become grimy and unappealing to the eye. Not a single unwanted item can be seen during the buyer’s final walk-through. If the seller hasn’t taken care of tossing away all their junk, the agent will have to.

Once this is all taken care of, in the agent’s eyes, this house is perfectly ready for it’s new owners. But not so fast. Remember that the buyer isn’t looking through the eyes of a realtor during the walk-through. For some buyers, a final walk-through can feel extremely rushed. This event is taking place right before the closing and they have a million thoughts running through their mind. One area where an agent’s view of the last walk-through might match the buyer’s, involves the sellers. If possible, the two parties can arrange a time to meet with the sellers prior to closing. This way they can familiarize the buyers with the house and all the little things that will make it feel like a new home.
When it’s all said and done, the agent and buyer may have viewed the walk-through differently, but as long as it leads to papers being signed, this story will have the same ending.