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

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

Several times, Jeff and they have all turned out quite well. I FaceTine with them, make sure I have floorplans to share and also do a 'virtual tour' of the neighborhood, neighborhood amenities and the neighbor's homes also.

Most of them have also been looking on Google Earth and if they have a question about something nearby, I also take them there (on FaceTime) as well.

I've never had anyone regret their decision and not go through with it. I listen to what they need and they trust me to find it for them. 

I'm sure, if you're representing a seller, this scenario has to give you pause though.

Mar 03, 2019 11:45 AM
Rainmaker
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Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

It happens more often then people would think in a military area like Minot with our Air Force Base Jeff Dowler, CRS . More often then not it works out just fine because someone is here on this end, besides the agent, to help out.

Mar 03, 2019 11:03 AM
Rainmaker
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Anthony Acosta - ALLATLANTAcondos.com
Harry Norman, REALTORS® - Atlanta, GA
Associate Broker

Yes,

I received a call from the buyer that was out of town, I made an appointment and showed the home via Facetime, they put an offer, ordered inspections, looked at the property the day before closing, we closed and they are very happy with their decision. 

Mar 03, 2019 01:22 PM
Rainmaker
757,885
Peter Testa
Nationwide Homes - Danbury, CT
PETER TESTA

No but I've had my Seller buy out-of-state without seeing it. It went as I hoped it wouldn't.

Mar 03, 2019 11:17 AM
Rainer
509,449
Susie Kay
Ultra Real Estate Dallas Fort Worth - Plano, TX
North Dallas Specialist

I've had something similar in the past.  The buyer lives overseas and his cousin looked at the property.  In the end they had a hard time transferring the money because of their government regulations. 

I don't entertain this type of business transaction often.  If they are serious they really need to take the time to look at the house and get the know the area.  Also the realtor cannot make the decision which home is right for them, as this is often the case in many different cultures that they want you the help give your opinion which home is right for them.  They have to decide that for themselves or there will be a lot of pointing fingers when something goes wrong. 

Mar 03, 2019 03:43 PM
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Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Several times by using Skype video calls to have live walkthroughs of the home.  In each case it's worked out fine for the buyers, although I'll admit it makes me a bit more apprehensive.  Bill

Mar 03, 2019 02:27 PM
Rainmaker
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I've sold several homes, quite successfully, that my buyers had not seen prior to signing the offer. In each case I knew what my clients wanted and was able to identify the right property for them. In one case, they are still living in the home some 18 years later.

Mar 03, 2019 12:21 PM
Rainmaker
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Kasey & John Boles
Jon Gosche Real Estate, LLC - BoiseMeridianRealEstate.com - Boise, ID
Boise & Meridian, ID Ada/Canyon/Gem/Boise Counties

Yes. Lots of additional photos, video, facetime if necessary. Show the neighborhood, street, neighbors. Point out negatives and things to consider. Be very thorough. We work with a lot of relocation buyers and sometimes they just can't come out to see it. It has worked out fine every time because we make sure they know as much about the property as possible. -Kasey

Mar 03, 2019 11:44 AM
Rainmaker
613,494
Eve Alexander
Buyers Broker of Florida - Tampa, FL
Exclusively Representing ONLY Tampa Home Buyers

So far 3 this year.  Buying sight unseen is common for us.  Had one this week...buyers were thrilled with the condo.  

First we dig for information. Then we provide the buyer with more information than the listing agent has. When buyers know everything, they get comfortable with the purchase.

Eve

Mar 03, 2019 03:04 PM
Rainmaker
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Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Jeff,

We saw it happen in Napa.  I think that given all the tools we have we can show the house live by walking around  and by having architectural drawings to scale of the footprint.  A

Mar 03, 2019 11:05 AM
Rainmaker
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Not yet.

Mar 03, 2019 04:50 PM
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Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

video - facetime - worked out well

Mar 03, 2019 03:03 PM
Rainer
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Sharon Altier
Coldwell Banker Realty - Elmhurst, IL
Luxury Property Specialist, CSC, SFR

I haven't, but it didn't work out well for this investor:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfFq4oxJS_c

Frightening!

Mar 03, 2019 02:19 PM
Rainmaker
628,614
Buzz Mackintosh
Mackintosh REALTORS - Frederick, MD
“Experience, reliable, leadership”

I was recently on the listing side and it went well, have done a few times where one spouse did not see the house til the day of settlement and that went well also.

Mar 03, 2019 03:52 PM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

YES recently a condo. The buyer had sold his home here, move dto Florida and hated it. Wanted to move back but was stuck there selling his Florida home. He had is brother here NH look at condos with me. The brother and a friend took videos and pics, they narrowed it down to 2. My choice was different then them. I listened to the buyer and told him what i thought. He went with his brothers choice who did not quite listen. He got here sight unseen and hated it. Soon sold it and bought the one i liked. I even made him money on that other condo though. He loves the one he purchased that was my choice. It is all abut listening

Mar 03, 2019 03:47 PM
Rainmaker
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Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

A couple of times. In every case the buyer was a past buyer and we knew each other well.

How did it turn out? Excellent!  They made the modifications I knew they would make and used the contractors I recommended.

Mar 03, 2019 01:45 PM
Rainmaker
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Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

no, I never did....never would.... that's called an empty bag, to me....

Mar 03, 2019 12:37 PM
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Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Nope never have. 

Mar 03, 2019 12:22 PM
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Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Not that I can recall.

Mar 03, 2019 11:16 AM
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Lynnea Miller
Bend Premier Real Estate - Bend, OR
Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon

We sold 2 properties last year sight unseen through use of our Matterport 3D tours.  We own this system and do Matterport tours on most of our listings.  The buyer for one was in Germany when they entered into contract, and felt very comfortable with their purchase since they had "virtually" walked through the home.

Mar 04, 2019 07:41 AM
Rainmaker
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Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Only, second homes.  Never a primary home.

Mar 04, 2019 05:35 AM
Rainmaker
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Chuck Willman
Chuck Willman - Alpine, UT
NewHouseUtah.com

I have. She had to move by a certain date and couldn't get there beforehand. Fortunately she had a trustworthy realtive and we took lots of pictures.

She was pleased but it could have gone poorly. I was relieved and wondered if I'd do this sort of transaction again.

Mar 04, 2019 02:48 AM
Rainmaker
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Steve Higgins
RE/MAX Kelowna - Kelowna, BC

Yes I have and it worked out great. I FaceTimed them through the home. Took and sent a lot of pictures.

Mar 03, 2019 10:01 PM
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Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

A mine field that I wont even venture into with renters.

Mar 03, 2019 08:15 PM
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Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

No - never sold one.  I did write offers on several - during a time when the market was crazy hot - multiple offers well over asking price.  I did a video of the property and surrounding area - neighborhood. 

Mar 03, 2019 05:30 PM
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Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

I have not done this but if I had  to I would use my standards of purchase

Mar 03, 2019 04:13 PM
Rainmaker
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Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

No.  We accepted an offer like that once and they backed out as soon as they saw it.  Didn't like the position of some pipe or another.  Now we won't accept any sight unseen offers and I have orders to not even present them from my main client.

 

Now with that said, I've bought all my investment properties sight unseen.

Mar 03, 2019 02:59 PM
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Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

Not to a primary resident.

Mar 03, 2019 01:33 PM
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Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

I made sure they saw  a virtual tour of it.

 

Mar 04, 2019 10:01 AM
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Merv Edinger & Associates
Remax Nova - Halifax, NS

I have but rarely. If the buyer is available I try to include a clause where it is subject to them viewing the home by a specified date. Of course, with Facetime & Skype it makes it much easier/more comfortable to sell properties under those circumstances. Our standard forms even include a clause to ackowledge whether or not the buyer has personally viewed the proeprty.

Mar 04, 2019 04:19 AM
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Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Jeff let me try this again... I sold one many years ago pre video, pre Google earth and I took so many pictures from front back, side etc my clients were laughing they said they are comfortable even if I would have sent half as many pictures... and the long detailed emails that went explaining everything...Endre

Mar 03, 2019 09:58 PM
Rainmaker
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Dan & Laurie Pittsenbarger Team
Keller Williams Western Realty - Bellingham, WA
Lakeside & Coastal Single Family Homes

Several times. If there's no virtual tour, go take a video and/or do facetime from the home.

It's a bit easier of they can make it during the inspection time so they actually see it before closing but typically if they are clients willing to write and consider closing without coming they are the type of folks that will be happy with the home as long as the agent does a good job of telling them about any "cons" with the home or location.

Mar 03, 2019 08:28 PM
Rainmaker
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Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

Out of town investors. Subject to final walk through confirmation.

I was told many homes in Vancouver, BC were sold on line w/o viewing. 32% recent pyurchases are not occupied.

Mar 03, 2019 10:56 AM
Rainmaker
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Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Just closed one in December 2018 for a client who didn't see the house until after closing. I did a video of the vacant home and then neighborhoods around it. I sold two in 2017 to a client who did not see either one. I took photos that time and sent them to her. She didn't even come to the area. She bought one that will become her primary residence in a decade or so. The other one is a rental. 

Mar 05, 2019 07:23 AM
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Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Not yet, but I'm about too.  I am engaging their local relative to view it for them.

Mar 05, 2019 06:32 AM
Rainmaker
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Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Back in the day of the Polaroid Camera I did. The photos showed certain pool equipment that was missing at the final inspection. The listing broker and seller sold it at a yard sale. They had to purchase new equipment for the buyer before he would close. The camera did not lie!

Mar 05, 2019 04:18 AM
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John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

I have not had such an experience.

Mar 04, 2019 02:41 PM