Can you really buy a home you have never walked through in person? You can, and it can be one of the most exciting purchases of your life. Many of our buyers live a thousand miles away when we begin, and distance does not have to mean uncertainty. Here is what makes it work.
Takeaways for out-of-state buyers
- Start with real conversations. A phone call and a video meeting reveal your style, space needs, and lifestyle.
- Choose the neighborhood before the house. Knowing how you want to live narrows the search fast.
- Tour together by video. We walk homes with you live, then hold a second video visit at your favorite before you offer.
- Let us do the homework early. We research structure, mechanical systems, and flood zone status before you make an offer.
- Travel on your terms. Some buyers fly in several times to house shop. Others come once, or only for the inspection, and some do not visit until after closing. Every comfort zone works for us, and we will build the process around yours.
- Close in person or remotely, then move down. With the right team, you can sign without extra trips.
- Have a local advocate. Someone should look in on the home and keep things running smoothly until you arrive. We are happy to do this for you.
The story: a New Hampshire couple and their forever home
The call came from New Hampshire. A recently retired couple had called Christine Pope with a big plan: sell their home, move to Sarasota, and make it their forever home.
I could hear the excitement in their voices, and a little anticipation too. They had visited many times and had already studied flood zones on their own, but they had not chosen a neighborhood, and they wondered how it would feel to make an offer from so far away. This was their last move, so I wanted to get it exactly right.
We started with a phone call, then a Zoom meeting about their style, the space they needed, and the life they pictured here. Then the fun began. We toured homes together on video, and I could tell right away when we found one in The Landings that made them lean in. She fell in love with the bamboo flooring. He was already living in the private courtyard in his mind. Before any offer was written, I researched the home’s structure and mechanical systems, because that is how I start every search, so there would be no surprises. After two live video walk-throughs, they were ready to make an offer.
They flew down for the inspection, walked the home in person for the first time, and loved it. We worked through every item together, and then they flew home, closed remotely, and sold their house up north. While they packed, I kept an eye on the house so it was ready the day they arrived.
Three months after closing, they moved in, and they have not slowed down since. They added a pool cage and love it. They have hosted pool parties, welcomed their kids, joined the community fitness club, started playing tennis, and made new friends. They walk to restaurants, stroll the pier, and watch the sunset from the gazebo overlooking the intracoastal waterway.
Here is what they wrote after it was all done:
“Christine Pope did a great job of helping us with the purchase of our new home in the Sarasota area. She was a great listener as far as what we were looking for in a property and made the identification, offer process, and inspection process, smooth and easy, even though we were out of state throughout. Christine was very responsive and always got back to us quickly and checked in with us to give us updates as the various steps were in progress. She is knowledgeable about Sarasota area neighborhoods as well as the different styles of contracts used in Florida. We would highly recommend working with Christine. She made a usually stressful process very manageable.”
That is the part I love most. They felt it was a smooth and easy process despite being far away.
Thinking about a move to Sarasota?
If you are planning a move from out of state, we would love to help you do it the same way, with research, clear communication, and personal attention from start to finish. Reach out for a no-pressure conversation.
The Pope Team | Christine Pope & Paul Pope
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