It depends.   On the seller.  On the buyer.  On the offer.  On the definition of good.  On the situation.  On the reasons "why" I knew they hadn't seen it.  

As an agent who just represented buyers in this situation recently, I can tell you it did give the listing agent a moment's hesitation until she saw our offer, which was contingency-free and cash, so she knew the buyers were serious.  The house was in a high demand neighborhood which typically attracts multiple offers and my buyers were determined to get it for the location, size and off street parking.  They did not care about cosmetics, we had facetimed with them to "preview" (they are out of state).  

As a listing agent, I would encourage my sellers to counter with a strong earnest money deposit (unless it was already substantial), although they could still get out on a home inspection contingency, if there was one.

My answer is "it depends" on all the circumstances. 

It depends on many factors.  I have sold listings sight unseen and have had buyers buy as well.  I work with clients who live all over the world and this is actually becoming more common. 

This depends on a few things. Will they never view the house through the escrow? Will they view the house during their inspection period? Are there other offers or expected offers from people that have viewed the property? And if the deal is that they just want to tie up the property, then they need to put more skin in the game in the form of larger earnest deposit, fewer contingencies etc.

Not without a counter that required a greater commitment.

That greater commitment compensates the seller for taking house of market while the buyer starts their dance. Based on situation, my seller will be advised to hold this buyers spot in the queue, long enough for them to catch a flight but NOT take it off the market.

An offer is evaluated based on the terms of the offer - whether the buyer saw the home zero times or ten times, the terms of the contract are all that matter at this point.

In our market, this is happening.  And we are successfully closing these. Find out if the buyers have lost out on other homes due to multiple offers -- if so, the chances they will stick with their deal is greatly increased.

As Michael Jacobs pointed out, too many variables with your scenario. I might try to convince the seller to consider limiting the period to cancel based on the possibility of a buyer cancellation upon a physical visit. This would speed-up the inspoection period and reduce lost alternative opportunities

I have an investor buyer on the other coast of Florida that has bought more than 20 homes sight unseen.  I have also sold a home for $2Mil sight unseen. Right now I am waiting to close 2 sight unseen properties by a Canadian client.

I have run into all kinds of unqualified buyers who have been looking at homes with other agents, but I have never run into a buyer that wants to buy sight unseen and can't do the deal. I have also found these buyers to be more reasonable than a local.

There are unqualified buyers out there making offers all the time, so why does a buyer buying sight unseen have to follow different standards?

Why do they need to jump through bigger hoops, come up with more escrow, non-refundable deposit, or the property has to "stay on the market" etc.???

Lets get real...times are changing.  The internet is helping buyers pick with out seeing.  I love it.

Eve

Wanda,

When we lived in Napa, there were many who put offers on homes they had not seen in person.  Of course, they were presented, and it really depended just like Michael Jacobs said.  A

A good offer, clean with little to no contingencies, reasonable down payment... not to much concern...especially if buyer's agent is someone I know and have done business with in the past.

For one thing, it would have a contingency and for another why tie up the place on an if ?

Yes , IF there were remaining Tests & Inspections (and a nice DP)

What Michael Jacobs said.   All cash, non-refundable large E.M., quick closing... probably encourage taking the risk.  

If there was no contingencies, than yes. I have had relocations where they did not see the home, that family members viewed it, video and pics sent and it worked well. But due diligence is needed so it does not fall apart

It would depend on the terms and conditions of the offer.

Depends on who is the buyer's agent, price and terms of the contract. I have represented buyers who have never seen a property and it's always worked out fine. Agents know me and would trust me not to pull something.

Wanda that depends.  I have investors that buy sight unseen but I know exaxtly what they want and they're always cash deals.  Have never had a seller turn them down as they know (from me) that they are serious buyers.  But....with that said there are times  when I would suggest to sellers to think twice about accepting an offer sight unseen.

As a listing agent, I will admit that initially it makes me nervous.  But, we write sight unseen purchase contracts fairly often, so as a buyers agent I want the offer taken seriously.  All we can do is give the sellers the pros and cons based on the terms of the contract and let them decide.  It's becoming more common with the internet, virtul tours, aerial footage etc. -Kasey

I'm with Teri Pacitto in that it is becoming more and more common.  (they are actually my fave deals!!!)   I've also purchased this way my self.  It all comes down to the contract and no where within the contract does it specify how many times we must view the property, lol

I agree with Michael Jacobs - it truly does depend on so many factors.  I once was looking for a home for out of state buyers who were relocating to my area.  I took photos and videos and wrote offers on their behalf ... and they had not walked the property. 

not unless there was a non-refundable deposit with the offer.... 

We just made an offer on a condo in Florida we haven't seen but we know the areas for investment property. Certain circumstances could be acceptable biut watch out for contingencies.

If it is a good offer and has a good earnest money deposit; sometimes the first offer is the best offer.

Yes I would because they might come back later and cancel the contract due to something they didn't know about when they made the offer.

Yes, I'm always very nervous about offers when the buyers have not seen the home.  If they are willing to make such an offer, I will attempt to remove all contingencies, otherwise, they can come to town and look at the home.

Providing there was a clause in the contract that did not permit the Buyer to cancel for reasons that would have been evident had they toured the property.

Sounds a little risky. If buyers are out of the country, it might be a scam. Otherwise, might be a placeholder until they actually see it; read contingencies carefully.  But, you never know.

It depends upon the condition and the market.

Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - and if that offer is cash, it's even better!

I really don't mind this - as long as offer is not contingent upon preview of the home.

As Michael Jacobs said - it really does depend.  I had one that recently Closed (an AR referral, as a matter of fact!) and it was a FaceTime showing with the buyers who were in California!  The agent did have a little pause and they already had several Offers but, I explained their situation and he relayed that to his sellers, who ultimately accepted their Offer.  

Depends on the offer and circumstances. Will they  view before option period is up.  Does it seem to be a solid offer?  My client would make the decision that's best for them.

  Is it contingent upon them seeing the house?  Is so, how long before the buyer shows up to look at the house?

Depends. Many out of town and out of country buyers do not really see the property. They rely on their agent, sometimes they have some idea via Skype or Facebook preview. 

I have had renters try to do this, I refuse, they must have someone they trust come and check it out before I will let them lease.

If the seller is comfortable with the offer and we have earnest money deposit and all other documentation, why not. It is ultimately the sellers decision.

It depends.

Per Michael Jacobs - it really depends what is the ultimate goal the sellers are seeking.

The buyer could be buying the property for a variety of reasons.  It may have actually been viewed by a representative of the buyer, via satellite photos, online photos or a drive-by.  Viewing the inside is not always necessary, depending on the buyer.

Good offer are great but I am of the type that would sooner have the buyer look at the home if I am going to have it under contract.

Yes.  I've had too many bad experiences with that.  Offers where the house has not been seen are not offers.

Where does it say on the purchase contract that the buyer hasn't seen the place? What does that have to do with anything? It's the strength of the offer that matters.

Wanda Kubat-Nerdin Is it a good offer? Why not? If it is filled with weasel clauses to come back later after offer is accepted then no.

With good photos and videos I am totally comfortable with an offer without physically in person seeing it.

I would tend toward the negative.  However, I would insist on a visual inspection within a certain amount of time if the buyers are out of town AND have qualified POF for the purchase.  Contract automatically terminates if they no show.

Yes because what happens with the home inspection if they decide they don't like it? Days are wasted OR keep the property on the market until the buyers see it.

EM says alot too, no EM right away ... then forget it.

It depends on a number of isues - the offer terms and amount, the buyers, the sellers, the market

Investors I'm familiar with on a fixer, yes. That's quite normal. It's all numbers and they usually have an idea prior to writing what it'll take.

Buyer for their personal home, no. Too many emotional variables to derail the deal sight unseen. They arrive and don't like the neighborhood, the power lines, where the sun sets, the view, etc.

let's get this party started

That would depend entirely on the contract and the buyer