Walkthrough Inspection
Learn what a walkthrough inspection is in Canadian real estate, when it happens, and how it protects buyers before taking possession of a new home.
May 22, 2025
What is a Walkthrough Inspection?
A walkthrough inspection is a final viewing of a property by the buyer before closing to ensure that it is in the expected condition and that agreed-upon repairs or inclusions are in place.
Why Walkthrough Inspections Matter in Real Estate
In Canadian real estate, walkthrough inspections usually occur within 24–48 hours before possession. They are not as detailed as a home inspection but serve to confirm:- The home has not been damaged since the offer
- Appliances and systems are still present and functional
- Any negotiated repairs have been completed
If problems are found, buyers may request remedies before closing or have their lawyer negotiate holdbacks.
Understanding walkthrough inspections gives buyers a final chance to confirm that what they agreed to is what they’re receiving before completing the purchase.
Example of a Walkthrough Inspection in Action
During the walkthrough, the buyer notices a missing light fixture that was listed as an inclusion. Their lawyer arranges for a credit at closing.
Key Takeaways
- Final check before closing.
- Confirms property condition.
- Verifies repairs and inclusions.
- Identifies late issues or damage.
- Can affect closing adjustments.
Related Terms
- Home Inspection
- Inclusions
- Agreement of Purchase and Sale
- Closing Date
- Possession Date
National average resale-price growth and housing-starts growth, smoothed over three months. The comparison illustrates the cycle; it does not establish how much a price change causes construction to change.
Trailing 12-month starts in centres of 50,000 or more remove the usual monthly seasonality. Ownership combines the homeowner and condominium categories; rental is shown separately.
Six-month averages of provincial starts, expressed at annual rates. The smoothing reduces the influence of individual apartment projects.
The same August benchmark compared with two different starting points. Three-month changes are not annualized.
Average sale prices show the difference in purchase costs across markets. They do not measure affordability relative to local incomes or construction costs.
Newfoundland and Labrador remains above its pre-pandemic sales pattern, but August activity was below last year. Historical lines retain their original release vintages.
Average and median describe different aspects of the same month’s transactions. Both are affected by the mix of homes sold.
Category averages compare different homes and locations; the gaps are not estimates of the cost to upgrade an otherwise identical property.
The five categories shown account for 5,000 of the board’s 5,057 sales. The remaining 57 transactions were in other housing categories.
Monthly observations are not seasonally adjusted. Active listings count properties available at month-end; they are not construction inventory.
Average and median prices share one dollar axis. These unadjusted transaction measures do not control for changes in the homes sold.
TRREB’s 416/905 categories compare the apartments sold in each area. The difference does not isolate a location premium for equivalent units.
5680 Oak Street in Vancouver and its surrounding context. (MCMP Architects)
Ground-level renderings of the tower proposed for 5680 Oak Street in Vancouver. (MCMP Architects)
