Becoming a Florida homeowner is a great thing. And finding your dream home, the one you'll love and cherish, is even more so. However, house hunting can be a daunting process, especially now when we're still recovering from the pandemic. Aside from health and safety concerns, there are plenty of other reasons why searching for the right home can be tricky. Maybe you're too busy, moving from another state. Perhaps it's a last-minute job relocation, and you simply can't find the time to visit every house that piques your interest. Fortunately for you, it's perfectly possible to buy your new home remotely! Not only is it practical and convenient, but it can also save you time and money. With that in mind, we've prepared a guide on how to buy a home remotely in Fort Lauderdale.
Find a reliable real estate agent
The first step in this process is to find a real estate agent you can trust. This is important even when you're buying a home two blocks away, let alone in another state. They will be your eyes and ears on the site, as well as your guide through the buying process.
Look for a local agent
If you want to buy a home remotely in Fort Lauderdale, finding a local real estate agent is your best bet. Fort Lauderdale is one of the fastest-growing cities in Florida, and your realtor must know the area inside out. It would be best to have someone well-versed in the local market with lots of experience and intimate knowledge of the city. If you have friends or family in Fort Lauderdale, you can ask them for advice or search for the right agent online. Check for referrals and customer experiences, and contact several different agents before you make a decision.
Find an agent experienced in remote purchases
Since you're going through the entire process remotely, it's best to find an agent experienced in buying and selling homes in this manner. If you haven't purchased property this way before, you'll probably have some questions and qualms along the way. A trustworthy agent who knows the process forward and backward will help you and guide you through it.
Decide what kind of home you want and need
This step is not so different from buying a home in a more traditional manner. We all have a picture of our dream homes in our minds, but you need to make a concrete list of things you want. Figure out your needs, wishes, and preferences as well as possibilities before you start searching. Here are a few things you should do:
- Set a budget;
- Consider the layout and size;
- Figure out your desired location - do Fort Lauderdale's natural attractions enchant you, or are you looking for a more urban environment?
- Devise a list of dealbreakers - if you have any, make sure to tell your agent about them.
Browse online
Now is the time for you to see what's available on the market - search for the home you want online. There are plenty of listing platforms, and you can also check available homes on social media. Read all descriptions carefully. Additionally, pay attention to photos but don't let them deceive you. Lots of listings nowadays offer virtual tours so take advantage of that, too. Once you narrow down your choices, contact your agent and discuss the options with them.
Schedule a virtual tour
Although many listings offer virtual tours, it wouldn't be wise to rely on them fully. They're posted by seller's agents and therefore tend to show things in the best light possible. Instead, organize a virtual tour with your agent. They can walk through the property with you on video chat. That way, you can ask your agent to open doors, cabinets and check on other things that interest you. Not only that, but your realtor can provide you with additional relevant information you wouldn't be able to see in photos.
Make an offer
Once you find your ideal home, you will need to prepare the paperwork. Not the most exciting task, but certainly an essential one. What's best is that this part of the process can be carried out by your and the seller's agents. Here you have to rely on your realtor's knowledge and expertise to negotiate the best deal.
Extra tip: Since you're close to closing the deal on your new Fort Lauderdale home, it's a good time to start thinking about relocation. Look for a moving company in databases such as verifiedmovers.com, and find the one that best suits your needs. Booking reliable movers a couple of months in advance will spare you a lot of stress when the moving day comes.
Schedule a home inspection
Although this step is not required, it's certainly a wise precaution, especially if you want to buy a home remotely in Fort Lauderdale. Get a recommendation for a home inspector from your agent and hire a trustworthy person to do this job. Your agent and inspector can then take you on another virtual tour and inform you of all specifics and possible issues. That way, you'll avoid any unpleasant surprises after closing the deal and moving in. Instead, you can focus on enjoying your new Fort Lauderdale home and exploring the city as well as meeting new people.
Appraisal and closing
Believe it or not, neither the buyer nor the buyer's agent must be present for the appraisal. After the appraisal and a final walkthrough (to check whether everything is as it was agreed on), you're ready to close the deal. You can sign everything virtually. Under the E-sign Act of 2000, your digital signature is legally valid as if you signed it with a pen on paper. Also, Florida allows remote online notarization (RON), so you don't have to worry about that either!
Welcome to your new home!
Finally, the only thing left is to move. Long-distance relocation can be a demanding task, so ensure you hire the best possible experts to help you move to your new home in Fort Lauderdale.
As you can see, buying a home virtually isn't as scary as it may seem. The key to a successful purchase is finding a reliable real estate agent who will help you and advise you along the way. We hope these tips on how to buy a home remotely in Fort Lauderdale will help you achieve your goals and find the perfect home.
