Most real estate contracts include a provision allowing buyers to complete a walk-through inspection of a property prior to closing. This is best accomplished in the week before a transaction closes.

The walk-through inspection is intended to verify that the property is in roughly the same condition as when a buyer agreed to purchase it. Since most contracts require that the seller maintain the property until they turn it over to the buyer, this is the buyer's change to ensure that this contractual agreement has been complied with.

If the seller has agreed to make any repairs prior to closing of the contract, the walk-through inspection is the time the buyer can ensure this has been completed. If the inclusion of certain appliances was written into the contract, the buyer can again ensure compliance.

The walk-through inspection is the time when the buyer can ensure that all debris and personal property has been removed. This is also a good opportunity for the buyer to secure information from the seller. The seller is a great source of information about the location of the property in question, regular maintenance tasks, neighbors and anything else which might relate to a piece of real estate. Since all the details have ideally been worked out prior to a walk-through, now is the perfect opportunity for a homebuyer to find out specific information.

Sellers can also recommend contractors who have worked on the property. They can tell a buyer about a sticky door, or show them where the spare garage door opener is kept. A thorough walk-through can be completed in around 15 minutes, but the information a buyer can glean about a property can be invaluable.