Buying a Home Long Distance – Emails 9-11 of 11

Today we are covering Steps 8, 9, and 10 of buying a home long distance. Step 8 includes a discussion about having a plan for reviewing and signing contracts electronically (we use Docusign for this), as well as being able to deliver due diligence fees and earnest money within 24 hours of going under contract (I generally recommend overnighting via Fedex).

Step 9 discusses visiting your home before closing if at all possible, and step 10 recommends being present for the final walkthrough and closing if you can.

Please scroll down for all three videos!

Step 8

Step 9

Step 10

And this concludes our series on buying a home long distance! Here is the full list of all the steps:

1. Be clear about what is important to you in a home. Write it down. Pick your top three points and describe them in detail.
2. Research what you can online.
3. If you can, visit the area before you start making offers, so that you can get a feel for different neighborhoods.
4. Find an experienced realtor who you trust and feel comfortable with, and who asks you a lot of questions about what is important to you. This person will be your eyes, ears, and nose on the ground, and needs to understand what is important to you.
5. Get pre-approved with a local lender, or someone who has experience in the market you’re moving to. For coastal North Carolina, this is particularly important.
6. Understand the real estate market you’re moving to and its purchase process, along with key elements of its purchase contracts. Not all states are the same, and in North Carolina, we have a due diligence fee that other states do not have. Understanding this is important. In addition, as the market changes, the real estate market in your area may be different than the one you’re moving to. Understanding these differences is critical to your home purchase success.
7. If you are not buying new construction or a newer home, consider getting an inspection before your offer is accepted.
8. Have a plan for viewing and signing contracts electronically, and delivering funds within 24 hours when your offer is accepted.
9. Visit the home once it’s under contract before the end of the due diligence period, if possible.
10. Be present for the final walkthrough of the home and closing if possible.