Final Walk-Through Checklist for Guelph Home Buyers

By Carmen Lombardi, REALTOR® Broker · Published July 2026 · Updated July 2026 · 12 min read

You have secured your financing, completed the home inspection, satisfied the conditions in your offer and started planning your move. Before the keys to your new Guelph home are officially handed over, however, there is one more important step: the final walk-through.

Also called a pre-closing visit, the final walk-through gives you an opportunity to return to the property shortly before closing and confirm that it remains in the condition you agreed to purchase.

It is not simply a chance to measure rooms or decide where the furniture will go. It is your opportunity to check that the seller has fulfilled the terms of the Agreement of Purchase and Sale and that no significant problems have appeared since you last visited the home.

To make the process easier, download the printable checklist below and bring it with you to the property.

What is a final walk-through?

A final walk-through is a scheduled visit to the property before the transaction closes. During the visit, the buyer should confirm that:

• The home is in substantially the same condition as when the offer was made
• Items included in the purchase are still present
• Agreed-upon repairs have been completed
• The major systems and included appliances are functioning
• The seller has removed their belongings and has not left unwanted items behind

The Real Estate Council of Ontario describes a pre-closing visit as the buyer’s last chance to verify the home’s condition, test appliances and major systems, confirm that included fixtures remain in place and check that agreed-upon repairs have been completed.

The number and timing of pre-closing visits are normally established in the Agreement of Purchase and Sale. These visits are negotiable, which is why your Realtor should address them when preparing your offer. If you are still early in the process, it is worth reading the buyer guide before you write one.

Is the final walk-through the same as a home inspection?

No. A final walk-through is not a replacement for a professional home inspection.

A home inspection usually takes place before the buyer’s inspection condition expires. The inspector examines the home’s visible components and identifies possible defects, maintenance concerns and safety issues.

The final walk-through happens later, usually close to the closing date. Its purpose is to determine whether anything has changed and whether the property is being delivered according to the purchase agreement.

You are generally not reopening negotiations simply because you notice an older feature or maintenance item that existed when you purchased the property. Instead, you are looking for new damage, missing inclusions, incomplete repairs or material changes.

When should Guelph buyers complete the final walk-through?

Ideally, the final visit should take place close enough to closing that it provides a current picture of the property’s condition. The exact timing will depend on:

• The wording of your purchase agreement
• When the seller plans to move out
• Your closing date and time
• The availability of the property
• Whether repairs must be verified
• Whether additional visits were included in the offer

When possible, completing the visit after the seller has removed most of their belongings makes it easier to see the walls, floors and areas that were previously hidden by furniture.

Your Realtor can coordinate the visit with the listing brokerage and ensure that access is provided in accordance with the agreement.

What to bring to your final walk-through

• Your final walk-through checklist
• A copy of the relevant terms in your Agreement of Purchase and Sale
• A list of agreed-upon repairs
• Photos from the listing or previous visits
• Your phone for photographs and video
• A phone charger to test outlets
• A small night-light or outlet tester
• A measuring tape
• A flashlight
• Notes about appliances, fixtures and other inclusions

The PDF checklist provides dedicated space to record observations and covers repairs, walls, ceilings, floors, electrical systems, plumbing, appliances, HVAC, windows, doors and exterior features.

What to check during your final walk-through

1. Confirm that agreed-upon repairs were completed

Start with any work the seller agreed to complete before closing. Do not rely solely on a verbal confirmation. Look at each repaired area and compare it with the agreement, amendment or written commitment.

Depending on what was negotiated, this could include:

• Roof or shingle repairs
• Plumbing repairs
• Electrical work
• Replacing damaged fixtures
• Servicing heating or cooling equipment
• Repairing drywall or water damage
• Removing unwanted items
• Completing professional cleaning

Where applicable, confirm that invoices, receipts or other agreed documentation have been provided.

2. Look for new damage

Walk slowly through every room and look at the:

• Walls
• Ceilings
• Floors
• Stairs
• Railings
• Doors
• Trim
• Cabinets
• Countertops

Pay particular attention to areas that were previously hidden behind furniture, rugs or stored belongings. Watch for new scratches, broken tiles, holes, stains, water marks or moving-related damage. A small mark may not justify action, but significant new damage should be documented and reported promptly.

3. Test the plumbing

Turn on the taps and allow the water to run long enough to check both hot and cold water. Confirm that:

• Faucets operate properly
• Water pressure appears normal
• Sinks and tubs drain
• Toilets flush
• There are no visible leaks
• Shutoff areas beneath sinks are dry
• The sump pump is present if included
• The water heater has not been removed or substituted

Look inside the cabinets beneath sinks, as a slow leak may not be immediately visible from above.

4. Test lights, switches and outlets

Turn on lights throughout the home and test accessible switches. Check that:

• Permanent light fixtures remain in place
• Ceiling fans operate
• Bathroom exhaust fans work
• Exterior lights function
• Included smart-home equipment is still present
• Outlets appear to be operational

You do not need to conduct a full electrical inspection during the walk-through. You are checking for obvious changes or failures that were not present previously.

5. Check included appliances

Test every appliance included in the transaction, such as the:

• Refrigerator
• Stove and oven
• Dishwasher
• Microwave
• Washer
• Dryer
• Freezer
• Range hood

Confirm that the appliances are the same ones that were present when you purchased the home, unless a substitution was agreed to in writing. Check that the refrigerator is cooling, the burners and oven turn on, the dishwasher starts and the washer and dryer power up. Avoid beginning a lengthy appliance cycle that you will not have time to supervise and stop.

6. Check heating and air conditioning

Depending on the season, test the furnace or air-conditioning system using the thermostat. Confirm that:

• The thermostat responds
• Air begins moving through the vents
• The furnace, air conditioner or heat pump is still present
• No new warning messages appear
• Included remotes or controls remain with the property

Avoid repeatedly switching a system between heating and cooling, particularly during extreme temperatures.

7. Open and lock windows and doors

Test a reasonable selection of windows and every exterior door. Make sure that:

• Exterior doors close and lock
• Windows open and close
• Window locks work
• Screens have not been removed if included
• Patio doors operate
• Garage doors open and close
• Garage-door remotes are available
• Interior doors have not been damaged during the move

Also check that keys, remotes and security-system information will be left as agreed.

8. Verify the inclusions

Review the inclusions listed in your Agreement of Purchase and Sale. These may include:

• Appliances
• Window coverings
• Light fixtures
• Bathroom mirrors
• Garage-door openers
• Water softeners
• Central vacuum equipment
• Shelving attached to the walls
• Outdoor structures
• Pool equipment
• Security devices
• Smart thermostats

A seller may take an item that appears removable, while a buyer believes it was included. The purchase agreement is what matters, so compare the property against the actual wording in your contract.

9. Inspect the exterior

Weather and season permitting, walk around the outside of the property. Look for:

• New exterior damage
• Damage caused by moving trucks
• Missing gates or fixtures
• Changes to landscaping
• Removed plants or shrubs that were supposed to remain
• Damage to decks, patios or fences
• Problems with the garage
• Pool or irrigation concerns, where applicable
• Unwanted garbage or discarded materials

In Guelph, winter conditions may limit what can be examined outside. Record anything that cannot reasonably be verified because of snow, ice or access restrictions and discuss it with your Realtor.

10. Confirm the home is being left in the agreed condition

Unless your agreement contains more specific wording, cleanliness expectations can sometimes be interpreted differently by buyers and sellers. At minimum, look for belongings, discarded furniture, construction materials or garbage that should not remain at the property. Check the:

• Basement
• Attic access area
• Garage
• Storage rooms
• Closets
• Garden shed
• Side yards
• Space beneath decks
• Garbage and recycling areas

It is easier to address an abandoned sofa or a garage full of debris before closing than after you receive the keys.

What should you do if you find a problem?

Do not panic, argue with the seller or attempt to create your own solution. Instead:

• Take clear photographs or video
• Write down the location and nature of the problem
• Tell your Realtor immediately
• Review the applicable terms of the purchase agreement
• Allow your Realtor and real estate lawyer to determine the appropriate next step

Depending on the issue and the wording of the agreement, possible solutions might include completing the work before closing, providing documentation, arranging access for a repair or addressing the matter through the lawyers.

Do not assume that discovering a problem automatically gives you the right to refuse to close. Your legal options depend on the contract and the circumstances, so serious concerns should be referred to your Ontario real estate lawyer.

Final walk-through tips for Guelph buyers

Leave enough time for a careful visit. Rushing through the house in 10 minutes makes it easy to miss an issue.

Work systematically, beginning outside or at the front entrance and moving through the property room by room. Check off each item as you go and use the notes section of the checklist to record anything requiring follow-up.

Most final walk-throughs are uneventful. Their value comes from catching the occasional problem before it becomes a stressful surprise on moving day.

Buying a newly built home instead? A Pre-Delivery Inspection is a different, formal process — see Tarion’s PDI information for how that works.

Download the free final walk-through checklist

Buying a home is exciting, but the details leading up to closing matter. Use this printable checklist to stay organized as you inspect the property’s repairs, walls, plumbing, electrical systems, appliances, HVAC equipment, windows, doors and exterior.

Frequently asked questions