Purchasing a Property Sight Unseen?

Purchasing a Property Sight Unseen

With all the technology available to potential buyers today I’m finding that buying a property sight unseen is not that uncommon. Either the listing agent or any of the numerous property websites can really give these buyers the information they need without actually visiting the property first hand.

Thoughts for purchasing a property sight unseen:

• Visiting the property yourself is the best idea.
• Use county records like GIS to get a sense of where property lines might be. The GIS can be off by a few feet but should give you an overall view.
• Use the listing agents pictures to form an idea of the floor plan.
• Don’t believe everything you see online. Some online companies have never been in/on the property and the information they offer may not be accurate.
• Ask your buyers agent to visit the property as soon as possible and ask for that agent additional pictures. Either angle not offered by the listing agent or pictures of potential problems.
• Have a property inspector go to the property. That inspection report should offer additional information that the sellers, listing agent and buyers agent didn’t know.
• Call the local municipality or HOA for information about the area.
• Contact the sheriff and fire department for information
• The insurance company you choice may need or have information as well. Ask for a CLUE report Ask for a flood map for the property and or area
• Ask for a topography map of the property and or area If you are purchasing in Colorado you may want to know how close the property is to public lands and the date of the last forest fire.
• These are just a few ideas if you are thinking of purchasing a property sight unseen. The best practice is to see the property yourself. Depending on the property there maybe more information needed.