Living in a digital age, almost anything can be accomplished remotely and over long distances, that includes searching for and buying a house. But let’s face it, looking for a house is stressful even when looking to move only a few neighborhoods away! And when you are trying to do so long-distance, it can seem near impossible. Thankfully we live in a high-tech world where so many tools are available to us 24-7. This makes finding the perfect home much easier even if it’s miles away! But where do you start? Check out these 3 Pro-Tips for successful long-distance house hunting!

Step 1: Pick the Right Real Estate Agent
If you are thinking about purchasing a home in an area you aren’t familiar with, find a local real estate agent to help. We at the Endsley Team have been collectively working along the Emerald Coast for 20 years helping folks buy and sell homes. It’s important to choose an agent who knows the area well and who has experience helping buyers find the perfect match. Local and experienced agents know the market and community intimately. They no doubt live there already and can provide invaluable insight to help you make the right choice for you. And being part of the local real estate community, they may have inside information on properties that aren’t available yet but coming soon.

Step 2: Do Research
Once you have narrowed down your search to a few homes or communities you are interested in, look into the area. Your agent can help provide you with info but it’s always important to research the communities you are interested in to make sure they will meet your needs. If you will be working in person in the area, how long is the commute to work? What are the crime rates? How are the schools? Even if you don’t have children, being in a location with good schools will help your resale value in the future.

Step 3: Plan a Trip
The truth is, if you are buying a home long-distance, no amount of research is going to replace visiting the area in person. Although it’s not unheard of to purchase a home “sight-unseen” (never setting foot in the house prior to purchasing), it is not recommended. So be prepared to make a visit to your new stomping grounds. Ask your agent when the best time to visit would be to get the best idea of what living there would be like. When you aren’t looking at homes with your agent, make time to get to know the area. Check out local restaurants, visit parks, and just take a drive around. After all, this could be your new home, you want to make sure you like it!

So, there you have it. Pick a local and experienced real estate agent, research things in the community that are important to you, and plan to visit the area more than once during your search. If you follow these steps, your long-distance house hunting journey is sure to be a success.
If you are looking to move to the Emerald Coast, please Contact Us, we would be happy to help you. Or are you looking to relocate elsewhere? Did you know that we are partnered with real estate agents in other areas? Contact Us and let us know where you are looking to relocate to, we can send you a list of reliable and local agents in that area!