With the internet, it is becoming easier and easier to do things at a distance—even complete an out-of-state home purchase. Whether you’re browsing Zillow or another major real estate platform, it can be tempting to contact a realtor to put an offer in. But what is the process? Is it easy? Fortunately, we’ve compiled this easy out-of-state home-buying guide to help you navigate the process like a true expert.
In this article, we’ll explore how to complete an out-of-state home purchase, including tips for researching the area, finding the right professional to help you, and guidance on navigating the whole process, including what to expect during your remote home closing. Let’s start with the first and most important step: understanding more about your potential new neighborhoods.
Step #1: Research the Area
Before you contact realtors, you should learn more about the area you’re interested in. Sure, a city like Orlando might sound interesting, but what is it actually like? You need to research the areas where you find homes, examining a wide range of concerns, from crime rates to the quality of the schools if you have kids and even the amenities or conveniences located nearby.
For example, you might find a beautiful home with a view of a creek, but this could actually be bad if you live in a flood zone. You need to make sure that the community is not only a place you’d like but also one that meets every necessity for your family. For example, you might like Orlando, but when you look closer at the communities nearby, you might find Simple Life’s Oxford neighborhood to be the perfect fit for your family.
Step #2: Find the Right Realtor to Help You
One of the greatest resources you can find when searching for a new home is a realtor who understands the places you’re looking to live. You should find a local market expert, but also someone who can give you an overview of the lifestyle you can expect when you move. With any out-of-state home purchase, you have to be sure you’ll enjoy where you’re living. There’s nothing that gives a buyer greater confidence than working with a realtor who understands and delivers on their must-haves with expert insights.
You can find trusted local realtors on sites like Zillow, Realtor.com, or even Google Reviews. You should interview them, ask lots of questions, and make sure you feel confident in your decision. The best realtor for you should be someone who understands your needs, finds properties that resonate with your desires, and gets back to you in a timely manner. If you find realtors that fall short of these minimum expectations, keep looking!
If you’re looking to live in a community like Simple Life, the staff on-site are also knowledgeable experts you can turn to if you need to complete a remote home closing on your desired property.
What to Expect During the Virtual Home Buying Process
Completing an out-of-state home purchase online can feel like a daunting process, but we’ll walk you through what to expect. Once you have found the right realtor and you’ve done some research to identify the best neighborhoods for you, here’s the usual process you’ll complete, from the initial tours to the remote home closing.
- Browse Homes and Take Virtual Tours: Whether you do so independently or with the help of a realtor, you can engage in virtual tours. Platforms like Zoom or other video calls can help you see the home in person. Be sure to ask lots of questions about the age of the property, its zoning, and even more about potential costs you might have to worry about as the owner.
- Consider Financing Options: One of the more common expectations today is to have a pre-approval for your mortgage if you need one. Securing this financing can still be done online as long as you are able to provide proof of income, identification, and more. If you’re working with a realtor, they might have some recommendations for you to ensure you find the right financing for your potential new home.
- Conduct the Inspection: Once you have found the perfect home for your family and you’re ready to begin your out-of-state home purchase, find a local inspector to help you. They can do a detailed video walkthrough, noting anything that they find or any questionable aspects of the property. If you’re purchasing a home from Simple Life, we’ll even provide you with local inspector recommendations!
- Make Your Offer: Now comes the best part: putting in an offer for your brand-new home. Be sure that you work with your realtor to find the best price and to ensure that your financing covers the cost of the home—and other additional costs! Prepare for some negotiation, but once you agree on the price, you’ll likely sign paperwork from a distance on a platform like DocuSign.
- Complete Your Remote Closing: After you’ve agreed on a price, it’s time to gather all of your documentation to complete your remote home closing. It’s important to stay in constant contact with your agent and escrow officer. If you’re looking to ensure a smooth process for your out-of-state home purchase once you find your perfect Simple Life property, our expert staff can assist you in finalizing your transaction.
Now that you know more about the out-of-state home purchase process, you can prepare to find your new home, no matter where in the country you seek to live next!
Find Your New Home at Simple Life
We hope that you enjoyed our out-of-state home-buying guide! The tips and steps provided will help you find not only the perfect property but one that will meet each of your family’s must-haves and desires. If you’re looking for a healthy, active lifestyle in a community with amazing brand-new builds and customizable properties, look no further than Simple Life. With properties in Florida and North Carolina, you can find a home that best fits your needs and gives you the chance to explore a new region. Visit our website today to begin your home search!
