How To Buy a House Remotely
How To Buy a House Remotely
Innovation is booming in the real estate market, which is good news if you’re trying to figure out how to buy a house remotely. While walkthroughs, open houses, and contract signings have long been the norm, it’s easier than it’s ever been before to shop for, bid for, and close on homes even when you can’t physically be there.
There are plenty of reasons that might incentivize you to buy a home remotely, and while it may seem challenging, there are also plenty of great solutions available to help you do it. Here’s what you need to know to buy a house remotely, including information on how to close on a house from out of state.
- Hire a Local Agent
It’s important that you work with a real estate agent who knows the area well and who can be your on-the-ground eyes and ears during the process. Look for a local agent who specializes in the market you’re looking to purchase in, and who is confident they can accommodate your needs remotely. A good place to start is with referrals, or just a Google search bar. Check out bios, read reviews, and reach out to about two or three agents before deciding who’s your best fit.
- Know What You Want
You don’t need to have a complete mental blueprint of the property that you’re looking to purchase remotely, but you’ll want to have a good idea of the must-haves and the dealbreakers. This is key, since your agent will be doing lots of the browsing for you. Be clear and concise in identifying specifics around location and property features, and try to provide your agent with all of the information that they need to search on your behalf.
- Go On Virtual Showings
You don’t have to buy a home from pictures alone. In addition to the videos and 360 degree tours that are showing up more often on property listings, your agent will be able to take you on guided showings—just over a screen instead of in person. The process is pretty much what you’d expect: when you find a home you’re interested in and you want to see more of the house, your real estate agent will schedule a time to visit it and walk you through via video chat. Take your time and ask questions as you have them so that you can get the most comprehensive view possible of the property.
- Make Your Offer
Offers can be made, signed, and submitted virtually—and usually are anyway—so when you’re ready to move forward on a home that you really love it’ll just be a matter of having your agent arrange the digital paperwork. As for the offer itself, because your agent knows the area best they’ll have plenty of insight for you on next steps regarding bids and negotiations.
- Close on Your Home
The closing process is the same whether you’re buying next door or out of state. Thanks to the E-Sign Act of 2000, your virtual signature holds just as much weight as your physical signature, so closing remotely is valid and binding. Your agent will walk you through the process, and will provide you with recommendations for home inspectors, etc., to ensure a smooth transaction from contract to closing.
All in all, with the right agent the process of buying a home remotely can be just as seamless as if you were buying in person—and it won’t necessarily take any longer either.
What About Selling a House Remotely?
Selling a house remotely is in many ways the same as buying one, but there are unique steps to be aware of in order to ensure it’s a smooth transition. At the RJ Soens Group, we have decades of experience helping people buy and sell remotely on Seven Mile Island, and we’re happy to help you through every step of the process. Contact us today to get started, and buy (or sell!) your house from wherever you are.
