Buy property without viewing? (agent, sale, condos, price)

[Jenovax]

Hi new to the forum

Has anyone ever bought a home without stepping into the property?


I'm from Canada and looking to invest in a Florida condo. I had plan to take a vacation down there to view some condos and possibly making a purchase (in a couple months time) but I'm liking what I see from property searches online. Any foreign buyers? What are your experiances? What is the best approach?


Thanks

[Squirl]

I hace done it a couple of times and so has my brother....of course then we've had an option period to inspect the property and really decide if going thru with the deal. I wouldn't complete a sale without seeing the property firsthand.

[MrRational]

Originally Posted by Jenovax

Has anyone ever bought a home without stepping into the property?

NEVER!

I'm from Canada and looking to invest in a Florida condo.
Any foreign buyers? What are your experiances?

Before my folks passed they had a nice condo in a well run development.
Some Canadians bought it for a song back in '08.

What is the best approach?

Separate the several aspects and address each on it's own merits:
a) you simply must come down to visit developments in person.
There is no substitute for this.

Once you have the list of names that appeal you review the floor plans available
in those development for which of these appeal to you.
Make note of any geographical factors like due east/west windows, obstructions, etc.
1000 will quickly be reduced to perhaps 100; 100 to 20.

b) be sure to have the financials of the condo ass'n understood.
Even the best of them have issues.

With these objective measures you can narrow down the choices available to the relatively few of those 100 or even 20 that will appeal but are in well run and solvent associations. With that caveat you can go back to checking listings for what's available in these remaining 10 or 15 developments online.

But you'll still want to come down in person before pulling the trigger.

hth

[Broker Dave]

Wouldn't recommend it the first time.

Very seldom does a buyer buy sight unseen except in multiple purchases over time. Even then they build a relationship with an agent that understands the buyers criteria and visual needs. Also video and pictures help a lot.

Hope this helps,

[FalconheadWest]

I've sold several properties sight unseen. It's all about your comfort levels and how well you think your agent knows what you would like and what's important to you. I've never had a buyer not like what they ended up buying.

[NinaN]

When I have a buyer in your situation, I go videotape everything at the property because it gives a much better idea of the layout of the house, the neighborhood, etc. Ask your agent to do this for you. That said, I still recommend you going down for a visit before buying.

[Samoi137]

Originally Posted by FalconheadWest

I've sold several properties sight unseen. It's all about your comfort levels and how well you think your agent knows what you would like and what's important to you. I've never had a buyer not like what they ended up buying.

Perhaps not a general rule to go by regardless of realtor and area?

[Silverfall]

Originally Posted by Samoi137

Perhaps not a general rule to go by regardless of realtor and area?

It isn't a good idea until you have a well established trusting relationship with an agent. I have heard many other stories of people completely dissatisfied with their purchases.

As a general rule, home buyers should see the property before buying. Even if it doesn't happen until the inspection phase.

[davecj]

I just sold a HUD home that neither of us went in until yesterday when he received the keys. Ultimately if the area suits your needs and the price is low enough, you can justify doing it. I doubt I ever would though.

[FalconheadWest]

Originally Posted by Samoi137

Perhaps not a general rule to go by regardless of realtor and area?

Of course it's not a "general rule", but it happens. I submitted an offer today where the husband saw it but the wife hasn't. He walked her through the entire floorplan on the phone, and she's ok. Same situation 2 weeks ago, but this time, the buyer used his iphone feature to where she could see him walking through the home. She comes into town this weekend just for a peak, but we're set to close in 2 weeks.

In both these situations, at least one party saw the house, and even that's not a "general rule", just a necessary situation when you're dealing with multiple offers on the good properties, and you have to move fast.