You accepted a cash offer. The paperwork is moving. And now the buyer wants to come do a walkthrough. If this is your first time hearing that term, you might be thinking it sounds like a big deal. Honestly, it does not have to be. A 15 minute home walkthrough is one of the simplest steps in the whole process, especially when you are selling to a cash buyer. But knowing what to expect can make a real difference in how prepared you feel.
What Is a Home Walkthrough Anyway
The Basic Idea Behind It
A home walkthrough is when the buyer visits the property one last time before closing. They want to make sure everything looks right, nothing has changed, and the home is in the condition they agreed to buy it in.
This is not a home inspection. Those happen earlier in the process and involve a professional going through every detail of the house. A walkthrough is much lighter than that. Think of it as a quick once over, room by room, to make sure the basics are in order.
According to Rocket Mortgage, a final walkthrough for a smaller property can take as little as 15 minutes. For larger homes with more to check, it may run 30 to 60 minutes. But for a standard residential home, 15 minutes is totally normal.
Who Shows Up and Who Does Not
In most cases, the buyer and their agent come to the walkthrough. The seller and the listing agent usually do not attend. This gives the buyer space to look around freely without feeling watched or pressured.
If you sold to a cash buyer directly, the walkthrough may just be the buyer themselves. Cash buyers are often investors or companies that have done this hundreds of times. They are not going to panic over a scuff on the wall.
What the Buyer Is Actually Looking At
A Room by Room Check
The walkthrough follows the home from front to back. The buyer is looking for a few specific things, not trying to find new problems to negotiate over. They already agreed to the purchase. Now they are just confirming nothing major changed.
Here is what typically gets checked during a walkthrough:
- All rooms are empty and the seller has moved out (or is close to it)
- No new damage has appeared since the initial viewing or inspection
- Appliances that are part of the sale are still in place and working
- Plumbing works, toilets flush, and there are no obvious leaks
- HVAC system and heating turn on properly
- Light switches and electrical outlets are functioning
- No signs of pests, mold, or water damage that were not disclosed
- The home is reasonably clean and free of junk left behind
For a cash buyer, this list is even shorter. They typically buy properties as is, so they are not coming in with a checklist of repairs they demanded. They just want to make sure the home is there and in roughly the shape they expected.
Cash Buyers Walk Through Differently
Here is something most sellers do not realize. Cash buyers move faster and ask for less during the walkthrough than traditional buyers do. They are experienced. They know what they are buying. They are not going to stress over minor issues.
As noted on a walkthrough guide from A-List Properties, cash buyers often buy homes in any condition and handle repairs themselves. That means the walkthrough is more of a formality than a gate they need to pass through before they will close.
This is one of the reasons so many California homeowners choose a cash sale when they want to move fast. There is less to worry about during the walkthrough, and the whole process stays simple. If you are thinking about what a cash sale looks like from start to close, you might also find it helpful to read about how LA homeowners are turning equity into cash.
A Simple Breakdown of the Walkthrough Process
What to Expect From Start to Finish
If you have never been through one before, here is a simple timeline of what a 15 minute walkthrough typically looks like:
| Step | What Happens | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Arrival | Buyer and agent arrive, seller may or may not be present | 0 to 2 min |
| Exterior Check | Quick look at the outside, yard, garage, entry | 2 to 4 min |
| Main Living Areas | Living room, dining room, kitchen checked for damage or missing items | 4 to 8 min |
| Bedrooms and Bathrooms | Doors open, plumbing tested, appliances confirmed | 8 to 12 min |
| Final Confirmation | Any last questions, buyer confirms they are satisfied | 12 to 15 min |
What Can Slow It Down
Sometimes the walkthrough goes a little longer. This can happen when there were repairs agreed upon and the buyer wants to check that they were done. It can also happen if the seller left a lot of personal belongings behind, which makes it harder to inspect rooms clearly.
The best thing you can do as a seller is make sure the home is cleared out, reasonably clean, and that all utilities are still on. That way the buyer can test everything quickly and you both get out in no time.
If you have already used a cash sale to fund a property move or exchange, you know how smooth the process can be when both sides are prepared. For more on that topic, our post on using a cash sale to fund your next 1031 exchange is worth a look.
How to Prepare for Your Walkthrough as a Seller
Simple Steps That Make a Big Difference
You do not need to stress about this. But a little prep goes a long way. Here is what I recommend doing before the buyer shows up:
First, make sure all your belongings are either out or clearly being moved. An empty home is easier to walk through and leaves nothing for the buyer to question. Second, keep all utilities running until after closing. The buyer needs to test lights, water, and the HVAC. If the power is off, they cannot do that, and it can delay things.
Third, do a quick walk through yourself first. Open every door, flush every toilet, flip every light switch. If something is broken, it is better to know before the buyer gets there. You can address it ahead of time or at least be ready to talk about it.
For sellers dealing with complicated situations, like selling a property that is also tied to a rental or liability issue, it helps to have the right information going in. Our post on rental property liability and transitioning to passive income covers some of that ground.
What If the Buyer Finds Something
If the buyer spots something during the walkthrough, it does not automatically kill the deal. Most issues at this stage are minor. The buyer might ask for a small credit, request that something be fixed before closing, or just note it and move on.
For cash buyers especially, minor issues are rarely deal breakers. They are buying the home as is and plan to handle repairs on their end. So do not panic if they take a photo of something or jot down a note. That is just part of their process.
According to the Bankrate final walkthrough guide, even traditional buyers are advised that most final walkthroughs go off without a hitch. The more common outcome is that the buyer walks through, everything looks fine, and you are both headed to closing.
If you are ready to start the cash sale process or want to know what comes next, we are happy to help. Reach out through our contact page and we will walk you through every step.
Conclusion
A 15 minute home walkthrough is not something to dread. It is one of the last checkpoints before you close and move on. When you are selling to a cash buyer, this step is usually quick, low pressure, and uneventful. Just make sure the home is accessible, the utilities are on, and your personal items are out of the way. Do that and the walkthrough will fly by.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a cash buyer still do a walkthrough?
Yes, most cash buyers still do a walkthrough before closing. It is usually shorter and less detailed than what a traditional financed buyer would do. Cash buyers are often buying the home as is, so they are not looking to renegotiate. They just want to confirm the home is in the condition they expected.
Can I be home during the walkthrough?
You can be, but it is generally better if you are not. Buyers feel more comfortable looking around when the seller is not standing in the room watching them. If you need to be there, stay out of the way and let them move through freely.
What if I have not fully moved out yet?
That is okay, but try to have as much cleared out as possible. A home with belongings still in it is harder to inspect and can slow the walkthrough down. If moving out before closing is not possible, communicate that with the buyer ahead of time so everyone knows what to expect.
What happens if the buyer finds a problem during the walkthrough?
Minor issues are usually handled quickly. The buyer might ask for a small credit or request a fix before closing. If you are selling to a cash buyer, they typically buy as is and are less likely to make requests over small issues. Serious problems are rare at this stage, especially if the home was already inspected earlier in the process.
How long before closing does the walkthrough happen?
Most walkthroughs happen within 24 hours of the closing date, sometimes on the morning of closing itself. The goal is to schedule it close enough to closing that nothing has time to change in between.