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Has anyone here actually bought a home sight unseen?

real estatehome buyingrelocation
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Matey_90
Joined:
29.07.2021
Posts: 871
Topic Starter
20.01.2025 15:24
My partner and I are currently looking to relocate across the country for a new job opportunity, but the market is moving so fast that we can't fly out for every listing. We've found a property that checks all our boxes, but we are terrified of pulling the trigger without stepping foot inside. Has anyone here ever purchased a home without seeing it in person first? Did you regret it, or did you find that a good inspector and a solid agent were enough to keep you safe?
16 replies in this topic
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gost_nedelq
Joined:
29.04.2024
Posts: 1791
12.02.2025 20:48
We did this in 2021 because of the madness. Honestly, it was the most stressful month of my life, but we love the house now. Just make sure you hire a top-tier inspector who is willing to do a FaceTime walkthrough with you.
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Nadiya_D
Joined:
22.08.2023
Posts: 354
22.02.2025 11:34
I could never do it. Pictures can hide so much, like water damage, weird smells, or noisy neighbors. You really need to be there to get the 'vibe' of a neighborhood.
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ZlatnaRuka
Joined:
18.11.2024
Posts: 1701
17.03.2025 13:20
In reply to a previous post
Exactly what @User2 said. You can't smell a house through a screen, and trust me, some smells are dealbreakers.
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Yulia_M
Joined:
22.11.2024
Posts: 356
20.03.2025 17:24
My sister bought sight unseen and ended up with a foundation issue that cost 30k to fix. Don't skip the structural inspection no matter what.
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Oli_S
Joined:
05.07.2020
Posts: 725
10.04.2025 08:46
In reply to a previous post
Are you planning to rent or buy? If it's a permanent home, I'd strongly suggest at least flying out for the final walkthrough.
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Simeon_W
Joined:
29.06.2021
Posts: 68
13.04.2025 01:33
We bought our current place sight unseen. Our agent was a godsend; she literally crawled into the attic and sent us videos of every corner. If you trust your agent, go for it.
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redoven
Joined:
11.02.2024
Posts: 78
04.05.2025 11:56
I think it depends on the market. If it's a competitive area, sometimes you don't have a choice. Just have a contingency clause in your contract.
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nov_tuk
Joined:
17.10.2022
Posts: 1058
17.05.2025 06:47
In reply to a previous post
Contingency clauses are key! If you don't have one, you're just asking for trouble.
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vuprositel
Joined:
01.01.2022
Posts: 406
30.05.2025 22:31
Does anyone know if virtual tours are becoming more reliable? I feel like they use wide-angle lenses to make rooms look massive.
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Znaesht
Joined:
06.02.2024
Posts: 1490
26.08.2025 13:11
In reply to a previous post
They definitely use wide-angle lenses! Always ask for a raw, unedited video taken on a phone. It tells the real story.
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bai_ivan
Joined:
27.06.2020
Posts: 548
04.11.2025 13:53
In reply to a previous post
I’m in the same boat, OP. We are looking in the Pacific Northwest and the inventory is gone in hours. It’s brutal.
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kamilo
Joined:
30.07.2024
Posts: 2263
24.11.2025 18:30
If you do it, pay for the most expensive, nitpicky inspector you can find. Don't go with the one the agent recommends, find your own.
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Zhivko_D
Joined:
01.01.2024
Posts: 765
08.02.2026 22:42
In reply to a previous post
That is solid advice. Agents want the sale to close, so they might recommend someone who is 'easy' on the house.
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Fari_P
Joined:
24.04.2021
Posts: 596
22.03.2026 03:51
We did it and regretted it. The house was fine, but the neighborhood was way louder than we expected. You can't see traffic patterns in a listing.
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Brayan_Z
Joined:
07.01.2022
Posts: 2455
23.03.2026 08:32
In reply to a previous post
Check Google Street View and local crime maps for the neighborhood. It’s not perfect, but it helps.
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Sofiya_G
Joined:
02.09.2025
Posts: 793
02.04.2026 19:15
Life is a gamble sometimes. If the location is perfect and the inspection comes back clean, take the leap. Good luck!

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