Expert: Ray Beggs - 12/18/2006

Question
Since I am able to view houses for sale over the internet I am wondering if it is an acceptable idea to buy a house sight unseen.  I want to move to another state and the traveling is going to be painfully difficult.  I have not decided which state to move to, I'm still just looking at different houses and prices in different areas.  I'd get a home inspection first.  I live in Queens, NY and the prices here are insane.

Answer
Hi Regina,

Thanks for the question. I wouldn't recommend buying a house without seeing it first. Not only would it be difficult to make your choice by looking at pictures only, I have found that may times the pictures can make a house either look not as good as it really does in person or just the opposite. I have been to may houses that looked perfect on the MLS but once I got there, it was no where near as nice as it appeared in the pictures. In California, it is the rule that you MUST see a house before you close an escrow.

Best of luck to you,

Ray