Nearly Half of Homebuyers Made an Offer Sight-Unseen, the Highest Share on Record
According to a report from Redfin, nearly 45% of homebuyers made offers on properties they hadn't visited in person, marking the highest rate since at least 2015. This increased from 28% last year, driven by factors such as health concerns due to the pandemic and heightened competition in the housing market. Moreover, 27% of house hunters sought to relocate to different metro areas, compared to 25% in 2019. Virtual home tours have surged by 243%, reflecting changing buyer behavior during the pandemic.
- 45% of homebuyers made sight-unseen offers, up from 28% last year, indicating increased demand.
- 27% of house hunters are considering relocating, suggesting market expansion.
- Virtual 3D walkthroughs and video tours have surged 243%, enhancing buyer engagement.
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SEATTLE, July 30, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- (NASDAQ: RDFN) -- Almost half (
Sight-unseen offers will likely continue to climb in the coming months, according to Redfin chief economist Daryl Fairweather. "I predict that by the end of the 2020 homebuying season, the majority of homebuyers will have made a sight-unseen offer," said Fairweather. "The pandemic has changed the way many people view homes, and on top of that, the market is highly competitive. If you aren't using this strategy, another buyer who is could beat you to the punch."
Many Americans who were already considering relocating before the coronavirus pandemic are now taking the plunge, as mortgage rates continue to fall and employers implement flexible remote-work policies. A record
Additionally, about a quarter of people who plan to buy a home in the next year are limiting the number of properties they're touring in person due to the coronavirus, while
"A big part of doing video tours is establishing trust between me and my clients," said Cleveland Redfin agent Danielle Parent. "Because the buyers aren't physically present, I have to be their eyes, ears, and nose, for that matter. When I'm walking through a home on a video tour, I'm pointing out cracks in the walls, places where moisture can get in, and other important things they need to know. I earn that trust."
Intensifying competition is also contributing to the uptick in sight-unseen offers. More than half of Redfin offers faced bidding wars in June as the number of homes for sale continued to shrink and mortgage rates dropped to a record low, making it all the more advantageous for house hunters to get their offers in ASAP—sometimes before seeing the home in person.
To view the full report, including methodology, please visit: https://www.redfin.com/blog/buying-house-sight-unseen-increases
About Redfin
Redfin (www.redfin.com) is a technology-powered residential real estate company, redefining real estate in the consumer's favor in a commission-driven industry. We do this by integrating every step of the home buying and selling process and pairing our own agents with our own technology, creating a service that is faster, better and costs less. We offer brokerage, iBuying, mortgage, and title services, and we also run the country's #1 real estate brokerage search site, offering a host of online tools to consumers, including the Redfin Estimate. We represent people buying and selling homes in over 90 markets in the United States and Canada. Since our launch in 2006, we have saved our customers over
For more information or to contact a local Redfin real estate agent, visit www.redfin.com. To learn about housing market trends and download data, visit the Redfin Data Center. To be added to Redfin's press release distribution list, email press@redfin.com. To view Redfin's press center, click here.
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SOURCE Redfin
FAQ
What percentage of homebuyers made sight-unseen offers according to the recent Redfin report?
How has the percentage of sight-unseen offers changed from last year?
What factors are driving the increase in sight-unseen home offers?
How many house hunters are looking to move to different metro areas?