The final walk through during the home buying process is very important. Why? Because this walk through is to help determine that the property is the condition that you agreed to buy it in and that if any repairs that you specified during the contract negotiation have been addressed and no other issues have come up. Make sure the walk through is done and make time to do it right. 

If the sellers have already moved, the walk through is imperative because if a home is vacant for any period of time and number of issues could occur. For example, there could be issues with sewer systems and leaks that could lead to flooded rooms. Plus, a house could take on a new look when vacant. Don't get caught up in buyer's excitement and forgo the final walk through. This is a major purchase and every step, no matter how small, is crucial to a successful purchase. 

If a house is not vacant, the final walk through is a good time to ask questions of the seller regarding the house and taking care of other matters such as exchanging contact information in case you need to get in touch with the seller at any point in the future. Also, the walk through gives a chance to formally meet the parties to the transaction. 

What should happen in the walk through? Here are several tasks that should be performed during the walk through to make sure this last visit before moving in is thorough:

• Check all light fixtures and light bulbs
• Test appliances
• Check all faucets and look for any potential leaks
• Open and close all windows and doors
• Flush all toilets
• Check garage door openers and home alarm systems
• Run garbage disposal
• Check all ceiling fans
• Check heating and air conditioning systems

The final walk through may seem like a tedious task but in the end could be the difference in having your dream home versus a nightmare.