Special offer
Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude (eXp Realty of California, Inc.)

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5,230,119
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

I certainly haven't done 1 out of 3 but, I've Face-timed with them and they have all loved the homes they bought sight-unseen - THANKFULLY!!

Jun 29, 2017 05:12 PM
Rainmaker
809,258
Kasey & John Boles
Jon Gosche Real Estate, LLC - BoiseMeridianRealEstate.com - Boise, ID
Boise & Meridian, ID Ada/Canyon/Gem/Boise Counties

I did not read the study, but yes we have worked with buyers who have purchased homes sight unseen on a number of occassions.  We work with a lot of out of town relocating buyers as well as a few out of town investors. It's not my favorite thing to do but it can be done with lots of conversations & information gathering, extra video & photos and what not.  Turned out just fine, all happy buyers. Sometimes it is what the buyer wants and/or needs to do for their situation. Oh, and as others have said, 1/3 seems pretty high. -Kasey

Jun 29, 2017 04:51 PM
Rainmaker
628,914
Buzz Mackintosh
Mackintosh REALTORS - Frederick, MD
“Experience, reliable, leadership”

Just closed  2 transactions for an investor from California who bought 2 townhomes to complete a 1031 exchange. All went well

Jun 29, 2017 04:10 PM
Rainmaker
613,494
Eve Alexander
Buyers Broker of Florida - Tampa, FL
Exclusively Representing ONLY Tampa Home Buyers

I don't believe the overblown stats that 1 out of 3 buy sight unseen...maybe hardcore investors, but not the typical buyer.

I have sold dozens of properties to buyers sight unseen including one for $2M.  All happy buyers.

Yes, it is liability and you have to be at the top of your game to accomplish properly. I do go see the property and size it up.

It is not for the novice or for the "fake" buyers agent who thinks that researching, going on inspections and doing a walk thru is not their job.

Eve

Jun 29, 2017 04:00 PM
Rainmaker
1,052,211
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

The buyer didn't see it . . . and neither did their agent! LOL

Jun 29, 2017 03:57 PM
Rainmaker
2,220,654
Anthony Acosta - ALLATLANTAcondos.com
Harry Norman, REALTORS® - Atlanta, GA
Associate Broker

I just recently had a buyer that placed an offer without seen the property and are currently pending closing 7/25/17 (All Cash).

Jun 29, 2017 05:14 PM
Rainmaker
711,852
Lynnea Miller
Bend Premier Real Estate - Bend, OR
Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon

In some markets, this is the only way to get the purchase.  We have people offering sight unseen, but there is a lot of hesitation on the listing side to accept these offers.

Jun 29, 2017 04:24 PM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

that's not a method anyone in my office, including my team, would consider doing.... we are listing agents and that type of representation leaves alot to be desired....

Jun 29, 2017 03:54 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Jeff Dowler -  wrote the offer for sure - though the listing agent was kind enough to show the home before accepting the offer.

Jun 29, 2017 10:22 PM
Ambassador
2,684,109
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

 Inman is garbage.  

Jun 29, 2017 08:02 PM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

I do it with investors all the time but it is based on ROI with historical data to dupport it.

Jun 29, 2017 06:26 PM
Rainmaker
900,128
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

Almost, bust it was a scam.

Jun 29, 2017 05:27 PM
Rainmaker
400,356
Jill Murty, Realtor - Orange County, CA
Movoto - Laguna Niguel, CA

The closest I've come to that is the husband seeing the property on FaceTime, but the wife saw it in person.  The husband first saw the property in person after closing. 

Jun 29, 2017 05:22 PM
Ambassador
2,178,603
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

I think this is fairly common with out of area investors.  I sold several that way.  1 out of 3 seems very high, though!  

Jun 29, 2017 04:58 PM
Ambassador
3,345,091
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

I had one couple relocating to San Jose.  I met with the husband first when he flew out here. We saw many homes. Thereafter I previewed homes and took my own videos - photos for their review.  I wrote a few offers on homes site unseen by them ... but there were not accepted.  

Jun 29, 2017 04:48 PM
Ambassador
3,587,960
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Yes I have Jeff and they all have worked out fine. In fact I don't think some of the buyers have ever seen the condos or homes to this day!

Jun 29, 2017 04:29 PM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Jeff,

It happened when we lived in Napa, there was a frenzy of buyers from Silicon Valley.  They relied on photos.  I have not seen it here.  A

Jun 29, 2017 04:04 PM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

Yes - we had one buyer who bought 12 of them!! (An investor).

Jun 30, 2017 04:59 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I saw that article... and I've "purchased" at least three homes for buyers who never saw the house until they arrived for closing... all were very happy. But I've not had buyers make offers sight unseen without my input.

Jun 30, 2017 04:03 AM
Rainmaker
544,014
Dave Halpern
Dave Halpern Real Estate Agent, Inc., Louisville, KY (502) 664-7827 - Louisville, KY
Louisville Short Sale Expert

Sight-unseen offers tend to evolve into the buyer backing out. Therefore, when I sense that it is a sight-unseen offer on my listing I counsel my seller to counter that;

(1) the buyer has personally walked through the property

(2) the buyer is buying as-is

(3) the good faith deposit must be at least $5,000, and non-refundable

Jun 30, 2017 02:07 AM
Rainmaker
536,943
Rose Mary Justice
Synergy Realty Pros - Dandridge, TN
Synergy Realty Pros

I sold one that neither I nor the buyer could get to because of heavy snow and it was in the mountains. The inspector could not get there either.  They were satisfied.

I sold another that the buyer never saw, but I did the leg work on it with videos.

Both were cash deals.  I don't recommend this but if they insist I will be there.

Jun 29, 2017 08:49 PM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Well almost doing it right now. They are seeing it before closing.We did the contract all without them being in state and me showing it. Wife arrived 2 weeks ago and I showed the house, husband arrived last weekend and showed him on Monday. They close tomorrow. No hiccups.These are not first time buyers.

Had another situation that was an REO. Buyers were out of state and wanted to buy it. Sent contracts, they wired money and it closed. Never saw buyers even if they came to town. No cell phone or email type people. The place was a dump but they got it cheap.

Jun 29, 2017 07:28 PM
Ambassador
6,393,609
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

No I have not, have dealt with renters who want to do this, and I seldom allow them to rent without seeing it.

Jun 29, 2017 04:44 PM
Rainer
65,378
Steve Bracero
Heisler and Mattson - Shrewsbury, MA
First Time Homebuyer and Investor Specialist

1/3 seems very high! I agree with Mike & Eve Alexander ... maybe for expereinced investors but not someone with limited buying experience 

Jun 29, 2017 04:06 PM
Rainmaker
1,844,301
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Redfin ... another real estate expert pulling their data out of their .... ?? hats shall we say? I have never done it yet but we are not really in that market.

Jun 30, 2017 05:13 AM
Rainmaker
1,543,823
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

Yes, almost annually, since moving to San Diego, my military clients are famous for it. EG. They know the building, say it's Renaissance Downtown San Diego, they know the units basically. I send them photos and video I shoot for them. Even do Skype or Facetime walk through and inspections.

The other example is my investors during 2006-2010 did this 9/10 times because it was their contractor that said yea or nae to me.

Jun 30, 2017 04:56 AM
Rainmaker
1,196,798
Doug Dawes
Keller Williams Evolution - 447 Boston Street, Suite #5, Topsfield, MA - Topsfield, MA
Your Personal Realtor®

No, I have not Jeff Dowler but I have heard some do

Jun 30, 2017 04:48 AM
Rainer
44,891
Dan Capra
LAER Realty Partners - Lowell, MA
Listing/Buyer Agent

I have submitted a couple offers within this past year sight unseen. However, we did include a home inspection contingency. In the market we are in where agents have the open house and have a Monday deadline for offers, sometimes you dont have  a choice if the buyer cannot make the open house.

Jun 30, 2017 03:30 AM
Rainer
392,768
Anna Hatridge
R Gilliam Real Estate LLC - Farmington, MO
Missouri Realtor with R Gilliam Real Estate LLC

Yes I have worked with a few buyers who didn't see the property before closing.  They have all been happy with their purchase.  Of course I send them video and lots of photos so they have a real sense of the property.

Jun 30, 2017 03:15 AM
Rainmaker
2,781,173
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

With pictures, Google Earth, Drones and who knows what else it can be done with fine tuning and someone to beat feet giving input & detail feedback

Jun 29, 2017 06:52 PM
Rainmaker
7,836,425
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Not a typical situation. I have purchased many trustee sale properties before seeing them.

Jun 29, 2017 05:16 PM
Rainmaker
1,725,996
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

I have experienced that and it was more stressful for me than the buyers. I did do a Facetime with them, but it is no substitute for 'walking' the home.

Jun 30, 2017 06:00 AM
Rainmaker
5,216,740
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

I hate the idea. Did it once and the seller tried to pull a fast one. He lost big time!

Jun 30, 2017 05:59 AM
Rainmaker
1,617,916
Harry F. D'Elia III
WEDO Real Estate and Beyond, LLC - Phoenix, AZ
Investor , Mentor, GRI, Radio, CIPS, REOs, ABR

I have and worked out just fine

Jun 30, 2017 05:44 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

I have, but it's rare and most of the time I discourage this.

Jun 30, 2017 05:43 AM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

no

Jun 30, 2017 05:28 AM
Ambassador
2,161,148
Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES
Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL
Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living

Yes, several times and it worked out well; however, each time there was an extensive exchange of photos, video and information beforehand. 

Jun 30, 2017 05:20 AM
Rainmaker
4,883,242
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

Many out of state investors will often byu sight unseen.  Have never had a problem.

Jun 30, 2017 05:15 AM
Rainmaker
851,242
Brenda Mayette
Miranda Real Estate Group, Inc. - Glenville, NY
Getting results w/ knowledge & know-how!

My parents recently bought their vacation home site unseen by them...  A trusted friend went to a showing.  Thankfully it all worked out.

Jun 30, 2017 04:58 AM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

First, i would never put any faith into a Redfin study. I have sold 2 homes as of late, buyer unseen, but their relatives did see, video and share it with the buyer. 1 loved it and 1 hated it. I can not say it is for every one,

Jun 30, 2017 04:54 AM
Rainmaker
1,239,901
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

Investors who do not live there will bid by looking at fotos.

First time home buyer, lookie, lookie, lookie, lookie, not buying.... All gone.

Jun 29, 2017 09:53 PM
Rainer
341,353
Ron Tissier
Chapman Hall Premier Realtors (404) 580-9069 - Atlanta, GA
Defining Homes. Defining Lifestyles.

Indeed I have Jeff.  Several years ago, I had a relocation client moving his family to the area.  He was an air traffic contoller and needed a short commute to the airport.  I sent he and his wife several listings to review via email and they decided on one property at $550K by only looking at the photos and property description.  I previewed the property for them and was also their eyes and ears during the home inspection and transaction.  The first time they physically saw the house was during the final and only walk-through.  Needless to say, I was sweating bullets but all worked out just fine, as the house was everything they expected and hoped it to be.     

Cheers!

Jul 29, 2017 08:21 AM
Rainmaker
4,936,716
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Wow I must be missing the boat on these buyers.

 

Jul 02, 2017 01:26 PM
Rainmaker
5,868,565
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

I have had a buyer buy site unseen, and also a buyer for one of my listings.  Neither were for a primary home though.

Jul 02, 2017 09:57 AM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Investors, yes.  Regular people, no.  We don't trust offers that are sight unseen.  My investors won't even hear them (I'm directed to reject them automatically).

Jul 01, 2017 09:53 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Yes two times nd it was seemless both times.

Jun 30, 2017 10:53 PM
Rainmaker
989,652
Jennifer Mackay
Counts Real Estate Group, Inc. - Panama City, FL
Your Bay County Florida Realtor 850.774.6582

I work with them all the time  - in fact I've purchased 2 myself - no problems

Jun 30, 2017 07:18 AM
Rainmaker
1,027,602
Susan Haughton
Long and Foster REALTORS (703) 470-4545 - Alexandria, VA
Susan & Mindy Team...Honesty. Integrity. Results.

Years ago,  when our market was appreciating 25%+ a year, YES, this happened with probably 1/3 of my transactions as we have a lot of military moving in and out of our area.  If they were stationed there for 2-3 years, they could buy, sell in 2-3 years and make money, so they often bought sight unseen.  Fast forward to today, and while it is not happening as regularly, it still happens, although now we Facetime...had a closing earlier this year where the buyers saw the house for the first time in person when they flew into town and saw it at the walk through. 

Jun 30, 2017 06:27 AM
Rainmaker
4,572,414
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

That seems to be a very high percentage to me.  Although I've read AR posts about it occurring, I have never been involved in a transaction where it has occurred. 

Jun 30, 2017 06:14 AM