Final Walkthrough Before Closing in Texas: What Every Dallas Buyer Needs to Know

What should you check during the final walkthrough before closing in Texas?

The final walkthrough is your last opportunity to verify that the seller completed all agreed repairs, that appliances and systems are in working order, and that no new damage occurred during move-out. In Texas, schedule it within 24 hours of closing. The TREC One to Four Family Residential Contract (Paragraph 7F) requires the seller to deliver all built-in appliances, mechanical systems, electrical systems, plumbing, and HVAC in working condition at closing, ordinary wear and tear excepted. If repairs weren't completed or new damage is found, your agent can negotiate a resolution before you sign---or you may have remedies under Paragraph 15 of the TREC contract.

By Paul Blair | October 17, 2026

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Most buyers in Dallas treat the final walkthrough like a box to check. Get in, look around, say everything looks fine, and head to the title company.

That's the wrong approach---and it can cost you.

The final walkthrough is the last legal checkpoint before you wire your closing funds. It's your one chance to confirm that the home you're buying is actually the home you agreed to buy. After you sign, anything that wasn't flagged becomes your problem.

Here's what you need to know---what to bring, what to check, what the Texas contract actually says about seller obligations, and what options you have if something's wrong.

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When to Schedule It

Schedule the final walkthrough within 24 hours of closing. Most Dallas agents prefer the morning of closing itself. That timing gives you the freshest read on the property's condition and still leaves a few hours to address problems before you sit down to sign.

Don't schedule it too early. A buyer on BiggerPockets shared that their walkthrough happened 26 days before closing. By closing day, the seller's AC unit had been stolen from the property. They closed without a second walkthrough and had no recourse. That's a preventable outcome.

The sweet spot is the morning of closing. Confirm with your agent that the home will be empty and utilities will be on.

What to Bring

Come prepared:

• A copy of your purchase contract
• The seller's repair amendment (TREC Form 39-11) if repairs were negotiated during the option period
• Your original inspection report, so you can cross-reference everything the inspector flagged
• A phone or camera to document anything you find

Your lender should have provided the Closing Disclosure at least three business days before closing. That's a separate document---the walkthrough is about the physical condition of the home, not the loan terms.

What to Check

The final walkthrough isn't a second inspection. You're not looking for new defects you missed the first time. You're confirming three things:

1. Agreed repairs were completed.

If the seller agreed to fix the HVAC, replace the water heater, address foundation repairs, or make any other corrections during the option period, now is when you verify that work was actually done. Ask your agent to request receipts and documentation from licensed contractors before closing day---ideally a day or two ahead so there's time to follow up if something is missing.

2. Systems and appliances are in working order.

The TREC contract (Paragraph 7F) requires the seller to deliver all built-in appliances, mechanical systems, electrical systems, plumbing, and HVAC in working condition at closing---ordinary wear and tear excepted. That's a contractual obligation, not a courtesy.

Test everything:

• Turn on every faucet and flush every toilet; check under sinks for drips or slow leaks
• Run the HVAC---both heat and AC, regardless of the season
• Run the dishwasher through a cycle
• Test the oven, range, and range hood
• Test the garbage disposal
• Check the garage door openers
• Test lights and outlets throughout the home
• Open and close every exterior door and window; check that latches and locks work

If the seller turned off utilities before your walkthrough, stop. Do not proceed to closing until you can verify that systems are functional. Call your agent immediately.

3. No new damage occurred during move-out.

Sellers move out. Sometimes that process leaves damage behind---wall gouges, floor scratches, fixtures knocked loose, or items that were supposed to convey with the home that quietly disappeared. Now is the time to catch it.

Check:

• Walls and ceilings for new holes, gouges, or water stains
• Floors for damage that wasn't there at the original inspection
• Light fixtures, ceiling fans, blinds, and window coverings that were listed in the contract
• The exterior and yard---confirm that plants or trees specified in the contract are still there
• Spaces that were previously covered by furniture or appliances; damage hidden behind a refrigerator or couch often only becomes visible once the seller moves out

What the Texas Contract Actually Protects

The TREC One to Four Family Residential Contract gives buyers specific protections around the condition of the home at closing. Here's what matters:

Paragraph 7 governs the seller's obligation to complete any agreed repairs before closing. Failure to complete repairs is treated as a seller default.

Paragraph 7F requires the seller to deliver all systems and appliances in working condition at the time of closing.

Paragraph 14 covers casualty loss---if the property is damaged by hail, fire, or another covered event between the contract date and closing, the seller must restore the home to its previous condition, or the buyer may be entitled to terminate and recover their earnest money in full.

Paragraph 15 spells out the buyer's remedies if the seller fails to perform. Options include demanding specific performance, terminating the contract and recovering the earnest money, or seeking other damages.

Paragraph 19 is the survival clause: covenants, representations, and warranties made in the contract survive closing. That matters if defects surface shortly after you take possession.

One important Texas-specific note: the TREC contract doesn't explicitly guarantee your right to a final walkthrough. It's standard practice---virtually every Texas transaction includes one---but it's not mandated in the current form language. The Texas Real Estate Commission's Broker-Lawyer Committee has been working on updated Paragraph 7A language that would explicitly authorize buyers and their inspectors to conduct a walkthrough before closing to review completed repairs. For now, confirm the walkthrough is scheduled in writing with your agent, not just assumed.

What to Do If Something's Wrong

Don't close on a problem you're not ready to own.

If repairs weren't completed, your agent can request an extension of the closing date. The contract allows up to 15 days for the seller to complete repairs before you can exercise Paragraph 15 remedies. Use the time---don't let anyone pressure you into closing with unfinished work.

If new damage occurred during move-out, you have options:

• A closing credit to cover the repair cost (the cleanest solution if closing is today)
• Seller completes the repair before closing, with documentation
• An escrow holdback, where funds are held by the title company until repairs are verified after closing
• If the damage is significant, termination and earnest money recovery under Paragraph 14

Your agent should be running point on the negotiation the moment you find a problem. This isn't the moment to handle it yourself.

For a deeper look at how repair negotiations work in DFW---including how to frame what you're asking for and what sellers actually agree to---see what to ask the seller to fix after a Dallas inspection and negotiating repairs after a home inspection in Texas.

And if you want to understand your full range of contract rights before closing, backing out of a Texas real estate contract walks through when and how termination actually works under the TREC contract.

The walkthrough might feel like a formality. It isn't. It's the last moment in the transaction where you have leverage---and using it well is the difference between walking away with the home you agreed to buy and walking into a problem you didn't see coming.

If you're a DFW buyer heading toward closing and want to make sure you're fully covered, reach out. I'm happy to walk through your specific situation before you get to the title company.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the final walkthrough required before closing in Texas?

The final walkthrough is not legally required under Texas law or the current TREC contract language, but it is standard practice and strongly recommended. It's your last opportunity to confirm the home's condition and verify repairs before funds are wired. No experienced Texas agent should allow a buyer to close without one.

What if the seller hasn't completed agreed repairs by the final walkthrough?

Under the TREC contract, incomplete repairs constitute a seller default. Your agent can request that repairs be completed before closing, negotiate a closing credit or price adjustment, or extend the closing date by up to 15 days to allow the seller time to finish. If the seller still fails to perform, you may exercise remedies under Paragraph 15---including terminating the contract and recovering your earnest money.

Can I back out of the contract if something is wrong at the final walkthrough?

It depends on what you find. If the property has been materially damaged or the seller failed to complete agreed repairs, you may have grounds to terminate and recover your earnest money under the TREC contract. If the issue is minor or cosmetic, a simple walk-away isn't automatic---your agent and, depending on the situation, a Texas real estate attorney should advise you based on the specific facts. See can you back out of a real estate contract in Texas? for a full breakdown.

What if the seller hasn't fully moved out by the final walkthrough?

You should still conduct the walkthrough as thoroughly as possible. Note anything you can't fully access due to furniture or boxes still in the home. If you're concerned about the seller's timeline, your agent can address it directly with the seller's representative. Sellers who remain in possession after closing in Texas are typically governed by a Buyer's Temporary Residential Lease (TREC Form 15-6), which your agent can prepare if needed.

How long does the final walkthrough take?

Plan on 30 to 60 minutes for a typical DFW home. Larger homes or properties where multiple repairs were negotiated may take longer. Don't rush it. If you're also getting clear to close in Texas and have a same-day closing, leave yourself enough time to address anything you find before the title company's wire cutoff.

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The final walkthrough isn't the moment to relax. It's the moment to pay attention.

In a Dallas market where transactions move fast and sellers are often juggling their own moves, problems at the walkthrough are more common than buyers expect---repairs not finished, fixtures removed, damage from move-out. The TREC contract gives you protections, but only if you show up prepared to use them.

If you're buying a home in DFW and want to make sure you're fully covered at every step, I'm happy to walk through your specific situation. Reach me at greysq.com/contact or get a home value estimate at greysq.com/home-value.

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About Paul Blair

Paul Blair is the founder and broker of Grey Square, a virtual real estate brokerage representing buyers and sellers across Dallas and Los Angeles. With 22 years in the business and more than $200 million in closed transactions, Paul works the full range of the market, from luxury homes in the Park Cities and Preston Hollow to estates in the Hollywood Hills and across the Westside. Connect with Paul and the Grey Square team at greysq.com. TX TREC #9011505 · CA DRE #01792671.