Question about the closing process....

When did you do your walkthrough? Was the house completely empty or in process out moving out?

We are closing (hopefully next week) and unless the movers pack the truck the night before and we pay for storage and stay in a hotel there is no way the house will be empty in time for the walk through.

What do you do in this situation? I have 2 kids and a cat so staying in a hotel is not easy!!!!


Also, the buyers asked us to remove all nails and repair the holes from pictures and the outside window boxes they don't want (I offered to leave them.) Do i HAVE to repair the holes? I've bought 3 houses and never had anyone do that for me lol

Message edited 7/5/2011 8:44:06 AM.

Re: Question about the closing process....

The house I bought, at the walk through the seller was not moved out. But then again, she was staying in the home for 3 days after we closed. So we did one walk through before closing (obviously sort of a waste) then they held money in escrow for us. So when she moved out, we had to walk through and then call our attorney to have her release the funds in escrow.

About what your buyers want...I think it's being nitpicky. Did you ask your attorney or realtor about this? I have never had to do that, nor did I ask for it. I think they want you to do all the work for them and are being nitpicky. Honestly with moving, etc...I dont see how you will have time to do that. you will have to spackle and then do they expect you to paint that patch? Totally rude IMO for them to want that.

Re: Question about the closing process....

Usually buyers want to do the walk through as close as possible to the closing. So if it's an afternoon closing, it is done earlier in the same day, and if it's a morning closing, it's usually done the night before.

The last deal I had, the closing was scheduled for 1 pm, and the walk through started at 11:30.

Assuming you did not negotiate to stay in the house beyond the closing date, and the buyers will be taking possession at closing, you are going to need to be out by the time you go to the closing table. If there's no way you can get out before hand, then I would see if you can schedule an afternoon closing. Then, I would just have the movers come very early, and do the walk through as close as possible to the actual closing. It may be a very hectic day for you, but I think it can be done.

If you haven't moved out when they do the walk through, I think a buyer would be concerned that something could get broken or damaged (e.g., walls, windows, doors) in the process of the movers taking your furniture out, and then they wouldn't be aware of that damage until post-closing.

Re: Question about the closing process....

Also, as far as spackling the nail holes and all of that --- I would talk to your attorney, but that seems above and beyond. Usually the contract just says that the house will be turned over to the buyers in "vacant and broom clean condition." I don't interpret broom clean condition to mean walls in perfect condition. I think that's just normal wear and tear on a house. I guess most people don't care because they plan to re-paint the walls anyway...

Re: Question about the closing process....

My final walk through is tomorrow after 6pm and we close this Thursday!!! As far as I know the seller has everything packed up and they are having their moving company to pick up their stuff today, so the house will be empty for us tomorrow.

Re: Question about the closing process....

our walk through was the night before. we closed the next day at 3pm. there was a LOT of things left during our walk through but dh and i didn't say anything, we thought it was normal.
after we closed (keys in hand) and we went right to the house, our realtor called to check in and to make sure it was all cleared out. he said it was pretty unusual that so much stuff was left behind but didnt want to worry us! lol