Buying a Home Sight Unseen Needn't be Spooky!

Now that the days are growing cooler, are you spending more time inside dreaming about a new home? Unsure how to best go about it? As concerns about the coronavirus linger, some home buyers and sellers are choosing to go virtual. In fact, many properties are going under contract without the buyer ever stepping foot inside until the deal is done. So how does this work? 

Sight unseen sales are nothing new, but up until recently they were used mostly for foreign buyers, investors, or long-distance home shoppers. These types of remote deals have become more mainstream in the wake of the pandemic, and there's evidence to suggest they're more than a passing trend. 

A survey from 2018 showed that about 20% of homebuyers had made an offer on a home without seeing it first. A more recent survey influenced by COVID-19, however, found that 45% of homebuyers in the last year had made an offer without touring the property in person. In April of this year, Realtor.com found that, "24% of 1,300 consumers surveyed said they'd be willing to buy a home without first seeing it in person." 

If you think purchasing a home sight unseen might work for you, here are a few tips:

Take advantage of technology
Online listings with 3D home tours are up by more than 600% since the pandemic hit. Listings that have this functionality are likely to rise to the top because they give buyers a better feel for the layout of the home. Remember, whether you're looking at a slide-show of images or a 3D tour, it still is not the same as "boots on the ground." That's where I can help!

Let me be your eyes and ears
It will be my pleasure to preview your favorite properties for you. Not only will I examine the home both inside and out, I can also take you along with me for a video walking tour. That way, we can discuss your questions and concerns in real time and decide what next steps you wish to take.    

Request a floorplan
Today's savvy sellers frequently provide a floorplan image or online access to the original blueprints. While video tours share a sense of how a home feels and flows, detailed floorplans help to ensure that your needs will be met and your furniture will fit. Knowing the full layout of a home will provide more insight into what day-to-day living may be like there. For example, that new home office you're so excited about may share a wall with a noisy family room. Uh-oh!  

Order an appraisal and a home inspection
Even in cases where an appraisal or home inspection are not required (such as a cash purchase) it would be risky to skip these crucial steps.  Hiring experts to provide objective documentation regarding the value and condition of the home is more important than ever in a sight unseen purchase. Always remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! 

So if you're ready to begin your next real estate adventure,  please give me a call and let's get started! 

There is no place like home!          
Ginger