Buying a Home
What should I know about buying a home sight unseen?
By Steve Lockhart
The short answer
Buying sight unseen is becoming more common, especially for relocating and out-of-state buyers, and it works well when it is done carefully.
Full answer
Buying sight unseen is becoming more common, especially for relocating and out-of-state buyers, and it works well when it is done carefully. The keys are a thorough video tour, a realistic set of comparables so you know the price is fair, and a comprehensive home inspection by a licensed professional you trust, because the photos cannot tell you about condition, smells, or noise. Review the HOA documents, the neighborhood, and the commute on a map. Understand the interior square footage and layout against your real needs, and confirm what is included with the sale. When the timing works, I can do a detailed walkthrough on your behalf with live video so you feel the space before you commit. Done right, a sight-unseen purchase can go smoothly; done hastily, it is a gamble. My role is to close that gap between what you see and what you get.
Go a little deeper
Frequently asked
Questions buyers often follow up on
What is the biggest thing that goes wrong with sight-unseen purchases?
The gap between the photos and the reality: the true condition, the surrounding neighborhood, the noise, the light, the street. You close that distance with a thorough video tour, a licensed inspection, verified comparable sales, and a careful read of the HOA and disclosure package. Diligence on the front end is exactly what narrows the unknown.
Can I make my offer conditional on viewing the home first?
Sometimes. Depending on the seller and the market, you can build in a short window to view in person, and some out-of-state buyers do exactly that. When travel is not possible, I can walk the property with you live on video, coordinate the licensed inspection, and run the comparables for you. The more eyes we put on it, the smaller the going-in risk.
What documents should I review from far away before closing?
The same set you would read in person: the seller's disclosures, the HOA documents, the preliminary title report, the inspection once it is complete, and the final agreement on what is included. With new construction, add the builder's timeline and the site plan. Between the paperwork and a thorough inspection, the distance starts to matter less and less.
The Lockhart Method
The Lockhart Method
Your Home | My Strategy | Proven Results
My strategy: turn a long distance purchase into a checklist instead of a leap. The video, the comps, the report, the packet, and the map all have to pass, and then the purchase is organized and safe.
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