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The Pitfalls of Pre-close Walkthroughs (I'm Not a Fan)

Writer's picture: Karri FlatlaKarri Flatla

If you buy a home in Lethbridge, your lawyer will expect you and your REALTOR® to do a ‘pre-close walkthrough’ before the money is released to the seller’s lawyer. Contrary to popular belief, this is a local convention that is not practiced or legally required in most jurisdictions.


Unfortunately, pre-close walkthroughs have created false expectations for both homebuyers and agents who believe walkthroughs are a final opportunity to beat up the seller for deficiencies.

In any given week, there are dozens of agents and their buyers lounging about homes, hours prior to closing, measuring for furniture and drapes, nitpicking for dents on walls, and hand-wringing over less than perfectly clean toilets or (gasp!) un-cut grass.


The thing to understand is that walkthroughs don’t have any legal teeth. They simply buy the lawyers time to do a little horse trading if the condition of the property is not as expected. If the seller has truly breached contract by way of unexpected damage to the property, litigation is the more likely scenario.


For the buyer, a walkthrough might sound kind of fun… one last hurrah before the home is legally theirs. For a seller, though, walkthroughs can be a nightmare, as they’re only trying to ensure the home is packed, clean and ready for final closing. The homeowner rightfully believed ‘showings’ were DONE once the sale went final.


Watch my video below to better understand the pros and cons of pre-close walkthroughs and why they can create frustration and delays before closing!



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RE/MAX Real Estate Lethbridge

376 1 Ave S #110

Lethbridge, AB T1J 0A5

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Associate Broker & REALTOR®

RE/MAX Real Estate Lethbridge

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1154001 Alberta Inc

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