How To Buy A Home Sight Unseen

Posted by Lauren Schneider on Wednesday, May 1st, 2019 at 10:42am.

How to Buy a Home Sight UnseedWhen military families receive their orders, they are often faced with the task of researching a new town and its neighborhoods without ever stepping foot in the city, and ultimately buying a home sight unseen. It can seem daunting to make the largest purchase of your life without even stepping foot in the home before closing on it, but we have several tips to make the process less stressful and even enjoyable!

Buying a home sight-unseen is something that many PCS-ing families simply have to do to ensure they have a home upon their arrival in a new town. As a hotspot for military families, it will likely come as no surprise that a number of homes in Colorado Springs are purchased without the buyer ever setting foot inside. Just like you would shop for clothes, groceries or find an excellent deal online, the entire process of buying a home can be facilitated through online channels, all you need is an informative website and a great real estate agent to get started.

Here's everything you'll need to buy a home sight-unseen in Colorado Springs: 

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

Find an Agent You Trust

A good real estate agent will help you negotiate a good price on a home, but a great real estate agent offers so much more; they're your personal advisor, educator, ambassador, negotiator, and friend who will take a personal approach to your home search.

So, how do you find an agent who's that dedicated to your needs? First, look them up on Facebook and Google to see what people are saying about their service. Then, give them a call and ask them a few questions to see if they'd be a good fit for you.

As a home buyer, utilizing a Realtor does not cost you anything, as the seller covers that expense. Take advantage of a Realtor's knowledge and ask as many questions as you can about the bases' surrounding areas and amenities.

Engage a Lender

Even if you are undecided in terms of renting vs. buying, get in touch with a lender who specializes in VA loans. Going through the prequalification process will help give clarity and an apples to apples comparison of the out of pocket costs and monthly costs associated with both options. Most often, buying a home with a VA loan involves significantly less out of pocket costs and a lower monthly cost than renting.

Set Up an Online Home Search

From virtual tours and YouTube videos to listing descriptions and HD photos, there are so many great resources available to homebuyers that allow you to glean pretty much everything there is to know about a property online. With the added insight of a trusted agent, you'll have everything you need to make an informed purchase—no matter where you are. 

Use MilitaryHomeSearch.com as your online home search resource. The website has a direct feed to the MLS, and is updated instantaneously with inventory changes. You also have the option to set up "instant" alerts so you are notified via email as soon as a new property hits the market.

Our site has everything a relocating military family needs included on each listing page. Find out exactly how far the property is from the base, what amenities are nearby, and where the best schools are near the home. 

First, find out how much you can afford to borrow. If you're a veteran, get in touch with a VA loans expert to find out how much your BAH will give you each month. Then it's time to start your home search. Here's how MilitaryHomeSearch.com can help you find a home

  • Create an account to unlock advanced search features.
  • Setup your preferences in the Command Center to tailor your search experience.
  • Search how you want, when you want. You can search by base, community, price range, home size; the sky is the limit.
  • Click on the listings to find out more about their features, including schools, nearby amenities, distance to your base, and so on.
  • Click the Inquire tab to connect with an agent and they'll attend a showing on your behalf. If requested, they'll take videos of the home and let you know about any benefits or drawbacks they encountered on their tour.
  • If you like what you've heard and seen in the home, your agent will then negotiate an offer and arrange a home inspection so there are no surprises when you're ready to move in.

Do Some Neighborhood Reconnaissance

Buying a home is about more than buying a house, you're buying into the community too. If you can't visit in person, you can use Google Maps' street view to get a feel for the neighborhood and check out GreatSchools to learn more about how the nearby schools stack up to one another. Dig even deeper by reading local blogs and asking friends who may already live in the area for their favorite areas.

Ask For Pictures and Video

Ask your Realtor to take pictures and video footage of homes you are interested in, especially if there are not many pictures available online. Leveraging modern technology is key when buying a home sight unseen.

Maintain an Open Dialogue

Call, text, and email the Realtor and/or Lender you have engaged to help you with the home buying process. Get payment estimates, ask questions about the market, and feel comfortable communicating as often as you need to with your home buying team.

At MilitaryHomeSearch.com, we help many military families purchase properties sight unseen, and we take pride in making the experience easy and enjoyable. Please read our client reviews on our company's Google+ page and Facebook page for feedback on their experience with MilitaryHomeSearch.com. We hope to earn your business and work with your family soon!

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

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