“I really want to buy a beach home, but I don’t live locally. How do I navigate a home purchase without physically being there?”

I hear this question (or some variation of it) A LOT. The great news is that I am perfectly set up to help you navigate that process! I thought I'd share with you the tools and how we make it happen from afar. Think of me as your feet on the street.

The first thing that we're going to focus on, and the earlier we start the better, is education. We will have a dialogue, understanding what you're looking for, sharing properties back and forth via the internet, so that you can give me feedback and I can educate you on the market. You and I will be in frequent communication about what's happening in the local market: how are things moving? What does pricing look like? All of those things are going to make sure that you are up to speed. So when the right property comes on, you're ready to pounce and we're ready to go.

“You and I will be in frequent communication, so when the right property hits the market, we’ll be ready to pounce.”

— Danielle

The second thing that we do is virtual tours. Virtual tours allow us to work around your schedule so you can “see” the homes in person without leaving your job, family, and life behind. With a virtual tour, you and I are jumping online and I’m physically walking you through this home. I'm pointing out the features that are on your “must-have” list, the pros and cons of the house, and other things you might want to think about. We're looking at the neighborhood, we're looking at the outside. We're doing all of this together. You can ask me questions. Here’s the best part of a virtual tour: I'm recording this as we're doing it, so when we’re finished I will forward you a copy of that virtual tour so that you can review it later. If by chance a partner wasn't on the call and wants to see the home, they can go through it with you.

“Virtual tours enable us to “walk” through a home together without you having to leave your family, job, and life behind.”

— Danielle

The third thing we do is we can handle the negotiations from afar. As we're deciding what to offer, we can jump on a zoom or a call, if you would prefer, and go over the comps, go over the market, talk about everything. I can share all the information with you so we can come up with an offer that you feel comfortable with and that we feel puts you in the best position to secure the property. When it comes time to sign the paperwork, all of the signatures can be done electronically and you can review the documents prior to signing them. You can print them to review them, or you can just review them online, but all of that comes digitally, so we can easily do that from afar.

Once you’re under contract, we can help you schedule inspections and navigate the process from afar. We're going to prompt you for all the things that we would suggest you inspect during your diligence period. You're going to give us the thumbs up that it's okay to do it and we're going to go ahead and get all of those scheduled. When it comes to the home inspection, if you can't be here physically, there are two really great things we can do—actually three. The first is we can pop on a zoom to go over the summary of the home inspection, at the home, with my home inspector. My vendor is amazing for this and we'll jump on with us. Second thing: I am always there. So even if you are not, my eyes are always there. Once we get the full written report, which again my preferred inspector has lots of pictures, lots of information, you review it. We can jump on a follow-up call with him if you have any questions. Scheduling and facilitating inspections from afar is our specialty, and that goes for all vendors, whether it be septic or pest or any others you desire. The bottom line is that we can help you navigate all inspections from afar, with me being your eyes and ears, and then using our experts to answer any lingering questions.

“Throughout the inspection process, consider me your eyes and ears.”

— Danielle

When it come close to closing, we can do the walk-through if you can't be here, we can jump on a zoom or if you’re not available, I will do the walk-through on your behalf, making sure that the home is in substantially the same condition as it was when we went under contract, prior to giving the closing the “all-clear” to record the sale with the County. Speaking of closing, my local attorney partners can offer mail away closing, which means that documents come to you, you sign them remotely, and return them back. We have mobile notary services so we can arrange with you a convenient place and time for the notary to arrive and sign everything!

“We do everything we can to make the process as simple and as stress-free as possible for you from start to finish, whether you’re buying locally or from afar.”

— Danielle

We do everything we can to make the process simple and as stress-free as possible for you, from start to finish. If you don’t already subscribe to our YouTube channel (@obxsandbarliving), make sure to subscribe! We have lots of content tailored to buyers, sellers, rental property owners, and those just daydreaming about the OBX lifestyle! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to send them to me…you never know, maybe they'll be featured on the next episode of Dear Danielle!

Remember, there’s no better living than Sandbar Living!