Special offer
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!, St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent (Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374)

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Rainmaker
809,258
Kasey & John Boles
Jon Gosche Real Estate, LLC - BoiseMeridianRealEstate.com - Boise, ID
Boise & Meridian, ID Ada/Canyon/Gem/Boise Counties

I'm not sure that is something that we can require. Anybody can write an offer and we are required by law to present all offers. We can tell the seller the pros and cons of accepting an offer that has been written without viewing the property, and in the end, it is the sellers' decision. 

As buyers' agents, we have written offers site unseen several times, and they have been accepted and closed. It isn't my favorite thing to do, but we work with a lot of out of state buyers and with technology it has become more common. I personally think it's a material fact that should be disclosed to the seller (sometimes they don't know the buyer hasn't seen the home because the agent goes through to preview it), though my real estate commission actually doesn't entirely agree. I have spoken with them at length about it. The truth is, our contract inspection period lets a buyer out for virtually any reason, including not liking something in a visual inspection. -K

 

Feb 23, 2019 08:47 AM
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

Unless it's an investor making an offer on an income property, having reviewed all the operating data, sight unseen on a residential home that the user is going to occupy can be pretty weak. For reasons you've just stated.
I don't particularly want to see owner letting someone tie up a property they haven't seen.
'Good reasons' exist but are rare.

Feb 23, 2019 08:39 AM
Rainmaker
2,390,620
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

I have had this often but we made took that offer stating that if another came in theirs would be a back-up offer unless they were willing to remove that contingency Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can! and then we continued to market it as if we had no offer.

Feb 23, 2019 02:16 PM
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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 don't know that it can be required but, as a listing agent, you certainly must consider the circumstances and warn the sellers about the risks.  I sold many properties to out of state investors who never saw the property and maybe never will.  The inspector and I were their eyes. 

Under typical circumstances for owner/occupied it would be a rare instance I would recommend accepting such an offer... without a large non-refundable EM depost.

Feb 23, 2019 12:13 PM
Ambassador
3,345,091
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

We cannot require it. However, if I know the buyer has not seen it that is good information for the seller to know.  Making informed decisions! It might be better to wait for another buyer who has seen the property.  Sellers decision. 

 

Feb 23, 2019 10:04 AM
Rainer
482,547
Bruce Kunz
C21 Solid Gold Realty, Brick, NJ, 732-920-2100 - Howell, NJ
REALTOR®, Brick & Howell NJ Homes for Sale

I don't think I can require it and i don't know if I'd know unless the buyer's agent shared... 

In the end it's the seller's decision, but if I do know I would STRONGLY advise the sellers to only accept if they can still market the home until any other contingencies are cleared and if there is a large money deposit in place.
Bruce

 

Feb 23, 2019 10:27 AM
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Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

It's not generally an issue in my area, but I will say, one time my sellers into a contract where the buyers had not viewed the property (unbeknownst to us.)  That fact came out at home inspection when obvious issues, like broken window seals that would have been glaring the buyers in the face, were asked to be fixed.  Buyer's agent then coughed up the truth.  Buyers only saw it via skype.  He hadn't pointed out the window issues and they had made an offer assuming they were fine.  Meanwhile, sellers had assumed the buyers had already taken into account the obvious problem when they made their offer.  Luckily, the deal stayed together, but not without a tense few days.

Feb 23, 2019 09:16 AM
Ambassador
5,230,113
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

It's totally up to the sellers but, I've sold several homes sight-unseen and never had an issue.

If I were representing the seller, I would recommend to the sellers that the buyers present a pretty hefty, non-refundable fee due to this fact though. 

Feb 23, 2019 05:59 PM
Rainmaker
4,572,283
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

If "known" inform the seller and let be aware of possible ramifications.  Seller decides. 

Feb 23, 2019 03:16 PM
Rainmaker
628,814
Buzz Mackintosh
Mackintosh REALTORS - Frederick, MD
“Experience, reliable, leadership”

No, that would be up to the Seller if they choose to work with a Buyer in that situation. I have had a couple of Buyers relocating from over seas who have purchased one of my listings by looking at pictures

Feb 23, 2019 09:31 AM
Rainmaker
2,781,173
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

No offers until I see some evidence of goodwill...Many people make offers knowing they can withdraw them within the contingency periods. I am not willing to detain or tie up my clients property that way. I am looking for ready, willing and able with their finger on the trigger...

Feb 23, 2019 09:01 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER would I allow that to happen..... that's a buyer who wants to buy time to see it and then eliminate it.... 

Feb 23, 2019 08:59 AM
Rainmaker
4,882,355
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

I've never thought of that; however, that would be a decision the client would need to make.

Feb 23, 2019 08:41 AM
Rainmaker
1,311,397
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

It depends on the attractiveness of the property and attractiveness of the offer. I would certainly quiz the buyers' agent as to why the buyers opted to pursue that strategy. How soon would the buyers be able to see the house and is that a contingency? Perhaps a counter offer to buy time and test the buyers' true desire to have that particular property.

There is not a yes or no answer to whether you would automatically advise the seller to reject the offer.

Of course, the buyer can write and cannot be forced to have visited the property. It would be an interesting discussion with the seller who is tasked with making the final decision whether to accept the offer or not.

Feb 23, 2019 01:25 PM
Rainmaker
911,338
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

It's rare, but I've had a buyer doing 1031 exchanges to send her son out with me to decide what to buy. His parents bought those without seeing them.

 But, in a case recently near here, a lady came from another state, liked a house near Leesburg, put it under contract. Then 45 or so days later, the day before settlement, the husband comes to town. His wife takes him to see the house she liked, and he about exploded. He said there isn't any effin way he's buying that house and living there. The deal fell apart obviously.

 I'd let sellers decide if they want to accept an offer from someone who hasn't seen the house. I can't require it.

Feb 23, 2019 10:06 AM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Yes.  Once bitten, twice shy.

Feb 23, 2019 10:05 AM
Rainmaker
1,844,301
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Are things that busy by you? I wonder if it is the buyers or the agent?

Either way, it doesn't end good for the seller.

Feb 23, 2019 09:45 AM
Rainmaker
7,836,164
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Not if the buyer is an investor.

Feb 23, 2019 09:40 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

No, I don't. I will however negotiate a very large due diligence fee... it will hurt them to walk away from the contract. At the end of the day, it's up to the sellers to decide how much of a risk they wish to take.

Feb 23, 2019 08:47 AM
Rainmaker
758,035
Peter Testa
Nationwide Homes - Danbury, CT
PETER TESTA

That happens occasionally on investment property. If it meets the investor's criteria then they don't always care about seeing it... BUT when the buyer's the end-user I'd feel a lot better if they saw the house.

Feb 24, 2019 06:05 AM
Rainmaker
900,128
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

Interesting... we need to be mindful of fraud also when that happens, especially when "buyers" try to pay before seeing the home.

Feb 23, 2019 03:08 PM
Rainmaker
191,939
Erika Rae Albert, Austin Real Estate Expert
E-Rae Realty - Austin, TX
Exceeding Expectations in Every Transaction

I don't... I have represented a handful of buyers who have purchased homes sight unseen.  

Feb 23, 2019 03:07 PM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Wanda,

In the dot com era, people from Silicon Valley were buying homes sight unseen....everything was going crazy.  Personally, I would not trust an offer from someone who has not seen a property especially residential.  A 

Feb 23, 2019 12:53 PM
Rainmaker
1,090,872
Diana Zaccaro Broker Associate
ZOOM Realty Group - Cocoa Beach, FL
"The Accidental Blogger" Cocoa Beach, Florida

If they are investors, no. I work with a lot of out of state investor clients and they cannot always be here to view a property in person so will make an offer sight unseen. In those cases I preview the property thoroughly, talke a LOT of pics and make sure they understand what they are getting into. I also recommend in writing that they be present for the inspection and most are.

I had one local investor who was an owner/developer (contractor) buying for rehab and rental who did not view personally. He would have his GM view the properties with me and make offers sight unseen based on our recommendations. 

For the average buyer, I would not do unless it was absolutely, positively necessary.

Feb 23, 2019 12:13 PM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

Depends. Some of my past clients were not in the country when they were buying a property. I usually do facetime or any other video viewing with them before submitting. 

Feb 23, 2019 12:09 PM
Rainmaker
613,494
Eve Alexander
Buyers Broker of Florida - Tampa, FL
Exclusively Representing ONLY Tampa Home Buyers

We sell a lot of homes sight unseen...even one for $2M.  We have had 3 "sight unseen" buyer sales in the past 2 months.

Never have any of the buyers backed out...why?  Because we do go view it personally and do a hard core evaluation.  We pull no punches and never paint a rosey picture.

It irks me to read about agents that make offers on property that they have never seen and then claim that they are not inspectors

If you are afraid of liability, then don't do it.  If you are going to write contracts for buyers and be their eyes and ears, you better make it a point to know more than the average agent.

Eve 

Feb 23, 2019 11:15 AM
Rainmaker
4,160,899
John Pusa
Glendale, CA

Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can! it is a good idea buyer preview the property before negotiating an offer.

Feb 23, 2019 10:58 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

Such buyers are operating under the 'get it off the market' SOP knowing they can jump ship on a whim.  A non-refundable fee is appropriate for Opportunity Cost compensation.

Be aware, it is not the buyer who has gone goofy in such situations.

Feb 24, 2019 05:03 AM
Ambassador
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Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

I have had a few buyers in the past that wanted to put in an offer for a house, sight unseen, when they were physically capable of viewing it themselves. I convinced them to see it first.

As a listing agent, this is a good reminder to ensure I ask the buyer's agent if the buyer has seen it (especially when I have no record of that agent showing the house).

Feb 24, 2019 03:07 AM
Rainmaker
931,002
Chuck Willman
Chuck Willman - Alpine, UT
NewHouseUtah.com

The old adage "present all offers" applies. But yes, offers without first viewing? These can turn out like your situation.

Feb 24, 2019 02:25 AM
Ambassador
6,393,609
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

In 2008 I had a renter all hot about one of my rentals, I reluctantly let him sign a lease so that he would have a place to move into when he arrived from Alaska.

The crap he pulled to get out of his lease left a permanent bruise on my memory that will prevent me from accepting future renters, and buyers, who have not viewed the property in person.

Feb 23, 2019 09:43 PM
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. Buyers must view or if investors, their contractor, "bird-dog" or manager must.

Feb 23, 2019 03:35 PM
Rainmaker
1,725,996
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

Most definitely

Feb 23, 2019 11:41 AM
Rainmaker
851,242
Brenda Mayette
Miranda Real Estate Group, Inc. - Glenville, NY
Getting results w/ knowledge & know-how!

Offers without showings typically raise nothing but red flags in our market. 

Feb 25, 2019 04:17 AM
Rainmaker
4,457,314
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Absolutely and that is the key to not getting caught in landmines... something the Z's and T's of this world do not get...

Feb 25, 2019 12:10 AM
Rainmaker
785,475
Abby Stiller
TOP SELLING REALTY - Cape Coral, FL
SW Florida (239) 284-8637

No, I don't , That would be up to the seller to decide to work with that buyer's offer or not.

Feb 24, 2019 02:21 PM
Rainmaker
1,751,129
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Wanda, I can see why your question is important. Ironically, I've sold three houses in the past two years to buyers who never saw them. I sent videos of the homes and neighborhoods, and they all bought and are happy there today. I'll have to admit, I was nervous most of the time. 

Feb 24, 2019 09:04 AM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

No

Feb 24, 2019 07:28 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 can't require it, but I am uncomfortable when they don't see it.

Feb 24, 2019 07:26 AM
Rainmaker
536,943
Rose Mary Justice
Synergy Realty Pros - Dandridge, TN
Synergy Realty Pros

It happens in our area because we have a lot of out of state buyers.  They love the pics but when viewing the neighborhood or actual home (pics can be deceiving) they may pull out.

Feb 25, 2019 05:53 AM