One of the unusual situations that sometimes crops up in Charleston
real estate is one where the buyer purchases a house without ever seeing it.
This may sound nuts—but there are circumstances (more than you’d think) where
it can be the only practical solution.
Wholesalers and house-flippers, for instance, sometimes
simply haven’t time to visit every property they suspect is a great buy. Other
times, buyers might be relocating to Charleston, SC from out of state (or even out
of the country) under a timetable that doesn’t allow them an extra visit—or
even a first visit! According to the
latest full-year data from the National Association of Realtors®, home sales to foreign buyers amounted
to $68 billion!
As you’d guess, the risks of purchasing a house sight-unseen
when relocating to Charleston, SC remain stark. Nonetheless, there are ways such
buyers can protect themselves:
Adding a contractual walk-though
contingency—one which allows a final walk-though before signing at closing—is
the surest protection. Sellers aren’t obligated to accept such a contingency (and
in a competitive market it’s less likely to be acceptable), but if it’s allowed,
it’s also a sign that the property is likely to pass muster.
The odds of a good “sight-unseen” result when relocating to Charleston, SC grow significantly better when you present your agent with a clear list of requirements. Some
important factors outside of specific house metrics could be the quality of
local schools, transportation links and commuting times, crime rates, shopping
and entertainment and recreation area access.
It is especially important to hire a first-class home inspector. When you can’t visit the property
yourself, your inspector can be the trained eyes that prevent your inheriting
unneeded maintenance issues. If the listing doesn’t give you a clear idea of
how the home is laid out, requesting a
video of both interior and exterior of the property is a good idea. If one
isn’t available, don’t be shy about asking your agent to make a walk-through
video for you.
For anyone relocating to Charleston, SC when a
‘sight-unseen’ home purchase is necessary, choosing the best-qualified Realtor and inspector couldn’t be more
important. In that situation, they become your ears and eyes on the ground!
Interested in selling your
Charleston area home? Visit: www.jeffcookrealestate.com
Interested in buying a Charleston
area home? Visit: www.discovercharlestonareahomes.com
-Jeff Cook
Jeff Cook
Real Estate
Charleston,
SC
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