The age of technology we are in has created a significant advantage for homebuyers, especially since 2020 with the Covid Pandemic. Buying a home without ever seeing it in person has become normal. With live walkthroughs, virtual tours, and professional photography, we have made it simple to purchase a home for buyers who are unable to see it in person.
What drove the need for sight unseen home purchases? In my opinion, the pandemic created a highly competitive market, bringing in numerous buyers bidding on the limited properties available. Additionally, the trend of working from home allowed people to live anywhere they wanted.
For homebuyers moving from far away, touring the property before making an offer might not be feasible, especially if there are multiple other offers, leading to purchasing a home sight unseen.
It’s crucial to be cautious when purchasing a home you haven’t seen before. The most important thing is to use a trusted Realtor who can give you a live tour, serving as your eyes, ears, and nose while in the property. If you must purchase a home without seeing it, a home inspection is an excellent way to protect yourself. This ensures that you are aware of any issues with the house, as someone else has assessed it. If possible, attend the home inspection in person to walk through the house.
My most significant piece of advice: do not sign your closing day documents without conducting a walkthrough of the property. You cannot back out on closing day due to preferences like design or layout. However, during the walkthrough, if there is a major defect, you can discover it and ensure you are confident in your investment. Buying a home without ever seeing it can be daunting, but sometimes it is necessary. Do your due diligence and work with a trusted Realtor to minimize future complications.
As always, please let me know how I can assist you!