How to Buy a Home Virtually… from Your Couch!

Home buyers can literally buy a home from start to finish without ever leaving their own living room. Thanks to industry leaders like Gulf Shores Realty in Venice Florida, Gulfside Mortgage Services, and Berlin Patten Ebling, PLLC.

Buyers can shop virtually wearing a bathrobe and slippers and close the transaction in their living room while sipping a bold Cabernet. Gulf Shores Realty specializes in world-class, personalized service and a hands-on approach.

However, the virtual approach is perfect for some, and we can deliver.

Today’s home buyer is faced with a multitude of challenges when buying a home, but thanks to some industry leaders, are also presented with solutions. In today’s fast paced world, home buyers never have enough time in their busy schedule. They frequently are relocating from another state and have the challenge of distance to contend with. As if that’s not enough, now there is Corona Virus too.

Corona Virus and its associated social distancing recommendations have caused many buyers to put their home search on hold. Others are afraid of touching a potentially contaminated surfaces where the virus can live for several days. Although thorough hand washing is an effective solution, emotions often rule our actions.

Starting Your Home Search

In the Virtual world, the home buying process begins with a telephone conversation to identify the buyers wants and needs and to establish their criteria for their new home.

This information is inputted into the MLS (multiple listing system) search fields and the buyer is automatically emailed properties that match their criteria. Whenever a new property is listed that meets the buyer’s criteria, the buyer receives an email notification with all the details within seconds.

View a Property...Remotely

When a property is of interest, the buyer can view the traditional photos and virtual tour. That still leaves the buyer lacking for the true feel of the home.

Gulf Shores Realty offers a 3 dimensional virtual solution called the Matterport Tour. The Matterport tour is created using a special camera with 9 lenses to provide a 3D virtual home that you can experience 24 hours a day. You see the home exactly as it is furnished and can walk through and experience the floorplan as if you are walking through an open house.

There is no rush, no pressure, you can look and look again. You have the option to look up, down, walk around the kitchen island, and see how the home lives. Different from photos, the Matterport tour allows the buyer to understand the relationship of the rooms to one another. Gulf Shores Realty offers the Matterport Tour to its customers but only approximately 8 % of active listings in Venice Florida have them. This is an important consideration when choosing a Realtor® to list your home. The Matterport Tour also offers the ability to remove the roof from the home and see the furnished floor plan and relationships between rooms.

Additionally, the user can view a 3D model of the home and rotate it to view from any direction.

Live Video Tours

For homes that do not have a Matterport Tour, our agents can perform a live video chat with the customer using facetime, skype, or a number of other simple methods and show the customer the home live via the internet.

They are able to direct questions to the agent in real time and view any portion of the property they desire.

Making an Offer

Once the buyer is satisfied with their decision to buy, a skilled Gulf Shores Realty Realtor® will prepare the Purchase Offer, review with them over the phone, and send to them for electronic signatures. A few button clicks later, they are under contract.

One should always have a thorough home inspection which will be coordinated by their Gulf Shores Realty Realtor®. A professional home inspector will comb through the property and produce a written report with photos for the buyer’s review. When approved, the purchase moves forward. If issues are discovered, your Realtor® can address the issues for you and provide solutions.

Gulfside Mortgage Services is a local full service mortgage company capable of handling the entire loan process electronically, including signatures, loan application, and closing. Loan applications can be taken via phone, internet, or Zoom Loan applications.

There is no decrease in service working virtually as you will still work with a dedicated team committed to your success. Gulfside Mortgage Services will update you every step of the process.

Closing the Deal

Berlin Patten Ebling, PLLC will ensure you have clear title and a smooth closing.

Having an attorney to address your legal questions and concerns is invaluable. Discussions can occur over the phone and closing can occur remotely. Berlin Patten Ebling, PLLC are industry leaders who have adopted Remote Online Notarization.

This game changing legislation allows for notarization of documents to be performed remotely.

This is the final piece of the puzzle that enables a real estate transaction to be handled 100% virtually. Closing documents are electronically signed and notarized. Upon completion, funds are transferred via wire transfer from the buyer’s bank to the closing agent and keys are delivered to your door.

Gulf Shores Realty continues to live up to our Mission Statement: To provide real estate solutions for every chapter of your life. We continue to provide our red carpet treatment to every customer in intimate one on one settings with personalized attention and expertise.

We also offer the option of innovative virtual services where a buyer can save time, travel, and exposure if they choose to. Either way, you still have a committed team of real people providing real estate solutions to ensure your real estate transaction is successful.

If you have more questions or want to jump right into your Venice home search, please contact Gulf Shores Realty online or call 941.488.6644 today!