In this episode of the Realty Terms series, Birdman sits down with Mountain Retreat Realty Experts and Stephanie Crane to explain the importance of a real estate walkthrough. From the very first showing to inspections and the all-important final walkthrough, Stephanie breaks down how walkthroughs protect buyers throughout the transaction. The conversation highlights why a final walkthrough should always happen on the day of closing, what buyers should be looking for, and how skipping this step—or buying sight unseen—can lead to costly problems after closing. With today's advanced photography and AI-enhanced listings, seeing a home in person has never been more important.

A walkthrough is an in-person visit to a property during different stages of a real estate transaction. Walkthroughs allow buyers to visually confirm the condition of a home and ensure everything aligns with the contract.

• Initial Walkthrough:

  This happens when a buyer first views the property, usually before making an offer.

• Inspection Walkthroughs:

  Buyers may revisit the home during inspections or after repairs, depending on the contract and negotiated terms.

• Final Walkthrough:

  The most critical walkthrough, performed on the day of closing whenever possible. This is the buyer's last chance to verify:

  • No new damage or leaks have occurred

  • No changes or alterations were made without agreement

  • All negotiated repairs were completed

  • The property is in agreed-upon condition

By completing a final walkthrough, the buyer is essentially confirming they are ready to close based on what they see in person.

Once a transaction closes, the buyer loses leverage. If an issue is discovered after closing, the resolution process becomes more complicated and can quickly escalate. The final walkthrough gives buyers the opportunity to address problems before ownership transfers.

The opposite of a walkthrough is purchasing sight unseen, which Stephanie strongly advises against. Photos—and especially AI-enhanced images—can be misleading. Today's technology can add furniture, doorways, staircases, or entire features that look real but don't actually exist. Seeing the home in person helps prevent serious and expensive mistakes.

Walkthroughs are a key protection for buyers. They ensure transparency, confirm contract compliance, and help avoid surprises after closing. When it comes to purchasing a home, nothing replaces walking the property yourself—especially before signing on the dotted line. 🔑

House Keys is brought to you by

Mountain Retreat Realty Experts

https://mtnretreatrealty.com

House Keys is produced by Birdman Media™