A simple guide for YELLOW buyers

Your final walkthrough is the last chance to make sure the home looks the way it should before closing. Most of the time, nothing major comes up. But if you do spot a problem – a repair that wasn’t finished, something that stopped working, or new damage that wasn’t there before – don’t panic. This situation is extremely common, and the process to fix it is straightforward.

Before we get into the steps, it helps to understand one key part of the Florida “As-Is” contract:

The home must be delivered in the same condition it was in when you and the seller agreed to the sale.
That means:
• all systems and appliances that were working must still be working
• the home must be maintained through closing
• no new damage should appear between contract and walkthrough
• any agreed repairs must be completed properly

So if something looks different, broken, or unfinished, you’re not being “picky” – you’re simply verifying the seller met their contractual obligations.

Here’s exactly what to do and what happens next.

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Step 1: Take Photos and a Short Video

Before you leave the home:
• take clear photos of the issue
• record a short video if it helps show what’s happening
• jot down a quick note about where and what the problem is

You don’t need to diagnose the issue – just document what you see.

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Step 2: Send Everything to Us Right Away

As soon as you spot a problem:
• contact YELLOW directly
• send your photos, video, and a quick description of what you found

This gets the conversation started immediately so no time is wasted.

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Step 3: We Confirm What Was Agreed To

We review the standard Florida As-Is Residential Contract to confirm whether the seller was responsible for that particular item. This is usually very straightforward – the contract requires the seller to keep the home in the same condition through closing and to complete any agreed repairs.

We look at:
• your contract
• any inspection repairs the seller agreed to
• any items that are supposed to remain in working condition

This lets us quickly determine whether the issue is covered.

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Step 4: Choose the Best Solution

There are a few ways to handle last-minute walkthrough issues. Here’s how they work – and which option is usually the best.

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Option 1 (Best): Escrow Holdback

This is the most common and cleanest solution.

How it works:
• we help choose a reasonable dollar amount to cover the repair
• that amount is held back from the seller’s proceeds at closing
• the title company holds the funds until the repair is completed correctly
• any leftover money goes back to the seller after the repair is verified

This keeps your closing on schedule and ensures the issue is fixed properly – without the seller rushing through a “quick fix” just to get the deal done.

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Option 2: A Credit at Closing

Instead of holding money after closing, the seller can give you a credit during closing toward the repair.

• you handle the repair after you move in
• the credit reduces the cash you need to bring to closing

This is simple, but the amount must be agreed on ahead of time.

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Option 3: Seller Repairs Before Closing

This is technically possible, but often the least ideal option:

• contractors may not be available on short notice
• sellers tend to go with the fastest and cheapest fix
• rushed repairs can create more problems later

We generally do not recommend this unless the issue is extremely minor and can truly be handled right away.

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Step 5: Closing Still Happens on Time

No matter whether you choose a credit or escrow holdback:
• the title company updates the closing numbers
• you still bring the same cashier’s check
• if the numbers change slightly, the title company writes you a check for the difference

There’s no need to go back to the bank, remake checks, or delay anything.
This is normal – title companies handle these adjustments every day.

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