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Should You Buy a Home Sight Unseen in Michigan?

To buy a home sight unseen… or not?
That’s the burning question stressing out homebuyers across the country—especially those relocating to Michigan.

As a Michigan Realtor who works with a lot of out-of-state buyers, I’ve seen this decision:

• Change people’s timelines
• Create tension in relationships
• Cause buyers to walk away from what felt like “the dream move”

I genuinely hate seeing that happen. So the real question becomes:

• How do we make this work?
• How do you navigate a fast Michigan housing market when you live hundreds of miles away?
• What should you reasonably expect from your Realtor if you’re buying sight unseen?

Let’s walk through it step by step.

Why “Sight Unseen” Has Become So Common in Michigan

Buying homes sight unseen is not new. It’s been happening for years—especially since we started putting decent cameras on phones.

But it exploded into the spotlight once the post-pandemic Michigan housing market shifted into overdrive:

• Low inventory
• High buyer demand
• Fast-moving listings
• Remote work and relocation

The usual listing timeline in many Metro Detroit and southeast Michigan markets now looks something like this:

• Professional photos + “Coming Soon” status on Tuesday/Wednesday
• Active on Friday
• Showings all weekend
• Open houses or broker tours
• “Highest and best” offers due Sunday or Monday
• Offer accepted by Monday/Tuesday

If you’re out of state, that schedule is brutal. By the time you coordinate travel, the home is often gone.

“Okay, but what about the homes that sit longer than a week?”

In most cases, they’re simply priced too high or need more work than photos show. A lot of listing agents used to walk sellers through prep: repainting, decluttering, boosting curb appeal, etc. Now, many sellers want to hit the market as fast as possible to capture demand—especially when nobody can predict what rates or prices will do next.

Bottom line:
Homes in good condition and priced well still move quickly.
That’s what makes sight unseen offers part of the conversation for many buyers moving to Michigan.

The Reality for Out-of-State Buyers Moving to Michigan

If you live in another state and want to buy in southeast Michigan (or anywhere in the state), you’re often stuck between:

• Traveling back and forth constantly, with all the logistics and cost that come with it, or

• Trusting a local Michigan Realtor to be your eyes, ears, and nose so you can confidently write offers from afar.

Travel isn’t easy:

• Coordinating work schedules

• Pulling kids out of school

• Flights vs. long drives

• Hotels, rental cars, and time off

• Watching homes go pending before you even arrive

Sometimes you make the trip and half your showing list is gone by the time you land. That’s frustrating—but it doesn’t mean the trip is wasted.

When that happens, you can still:

• Use the time to deep-dive different communities

• Walk downtowns, parks, and neighborhoods

• Get a feel for commute times and traffic patterns

• Confirm (or eliminate) cities on your radar

You can’t control the timing of every listing.
You can control how intentional you are with your time in Michigan.

How I Help Out-of-State Buyers Narrow Down Michigan Communities

One of the first things I do with relocating buyers is hop on a Zoom or phone call and really dig into:

• Your lifestyle

• Daily routines

• Commute expectations

• Preference for downtown vs. suburban vs. rural

• Your priorities (walkability, nightlife, yard space, schools, parks, etc.)

We usually:

• Start broad within southeast Michigan (or your target area)

• Narrow down to a smaller list of communities that match your lifestyle

• Further refine based on housing budget, commute, and preferences

I’ve worked in cities all over Metro Detroit and beyond, so if you say:

• “We want walkable downtown and restaurants”

• “We want more privacy and trees”

• “We want easy access to expressways”

—I can give you several area options to consider and help you prioritize where to focus.

That’s also why I created my “Michigan lifestyles” content (linked in your blog/video description). The more clarity you have on your lifestyle, the easier it is to eliminate the wrong areas and zoom in on the right ones.

Two Paths: Visit in Person or Buy Sight Unseen

Ultimately, if you’re serious about moving to Michigan, you’ll likely end up choosing one of two routes:

1. Plan visits and hope the right home lines up while you’re here, or

2. Use a trusted Michigan Realtor to help you purchase a home sight unseen

Neither option is right or wrong. It depends on:

• Your timeline

• Your budget

• Your risk tolerance

• Your comfort level with virtual tours and inspections

If you do go the sight unseen route, here’s what your expectations should be for your agent.

What You Should Expect from a Michigan Realtor if You’re Buying Sight Unseen

1. Clear Communication and Real Expectations

You want an agent who will:

• Share honest opinions about the home—not just hype
• Talk through potential compromises
• Ask you pointed questions to help clarify your decision
• Be willing to say, “I wouldn’t recommend this one,” when necessary

Example: I worked with buyers looking in Rochester Hills and Birmingham with a budget over $1M. They wanted a true “wow” factor—big curb appeal, dramatic entry, and top-tier finishes. To stay within budget, we had to have a real conversation on what was realistic and where compromises needed to happen.

You shouldn’t get a sugar-coated version of reality. You should get real guidance.

2. Tech-Savvy, Detail-Oriented Virtual Showings

In 2025, a good Realtor needs to be comfortable with tech:

• FaceTime / video calls for live walk-throughs
• Recorded full-house video tours
• Close-ups of areas of concern (foundation, mechanicals, windows, etc.)
• Neighborhood drive-throughs
• Brief clips of nearby amenities (parks, downtowns, schools from the street, etc.)

I often:

• Record a full home + neighborhood tour
• Add in still photos of potential red flags
• Upload everything to a shared folder for buyers
• Provide any available documents (seller’s disclosures, update lists, etc.)

I also use myself as a size reference—standing in rooms, under low ceilings, or even lying on the floor to show bed size potential. It’s funny, but it works.

3. Responsiveness and Speed

In a fast-moving Michigan market, you need an agent who can:

• Schedule showings quickly (often within 24–48 hours)
• Pivot if homes go pending
• Get videos and feedback to you same-day whenever possible

It sounds basic, but a lot of buyers end up with agents who simply say,
“Yeah, it looks good,” over the phone and rely entirely on listing photos.

You deserve more than that—especially when you’re investing hundreds of thousands of dollars from another state.

Are You Really “Stuck” Once Your Offer Is Accepted?

This is one of the biggest misconceptions I hear from out-of-state buyers:

“If we go under contract sight unseen, we’re stuck with the house.”

Not necessarily.

If your offer is written with the right contingencies (especially an inspection contingency), you’ll still have the opportunity to:

• Get a professional home inspection
• Review the inspector’s findings
• Decide whether you’re comfortable moving forward

If the inspection reveals issues beyond what you’re willing to handle, you can:

• Request repairs or credits (depending on your contract and negotiation strategy), or
• Walk away within the inspection period without losing your deposit

You should always talk through this with your agent before writing the offer so the contract matches your comfort level.

What Makes Buying Sight Unseen So Scary?

It usually comes down to a few core fears:

• Not knowing the layout well enough
• Worrying the rooms won’t be big enough
• Not fully understanding the neighborhood or community
• Fear of “missing something” you can’t see on a screen

That’s where your agent and your inspector come in:

• Layout: solved with video walk-throughs, floor plans when available, and live calls
• Room size: solved with measurements, body reference, or tape measure shots
• Neighborhood feel: solved with drive-through videos and honest commentary
• Hidden issues: solved with a qualified home inspector—and your agent present

Whenever possible, I attend inspections with my clients’ inspectors. I ask questions on your behalf, take additional photos or video, and make sure you get the full story.

Remote Closings and Move-In Logistics in Michigan

The good news is:
You can close on a Michigan home without physically being here.

Since the pandemic, many Michigan title companies offer:

• Virtual/remote closing options
• Mobile notaries who come to you (home, office, etc.)

From there, your Realtor can:

• Hold the keys until you arrive
• Help coordinate utilities and internet activation
• Let in contractors for work you want done before move-in (paint, flooring, radon mitigation, patios, basement finish, etc.)

I’ve helped buyers line up everything from brick repair to window service and radon systems long before they set foot in their new Michigan home.

The key: communication and clarity.
My taste might not be your taste—so the more open you are about your preferences and non-negotiables, the smoother this process goes.

FAQ: Buying a Home Sight Unseen in Michigan

Is it risky to buy a home sight unseen in Michigan?

There’s always some risk—but with a strong inspection, detailed video tours, and a responsive agent, you can manage that risk and still make a confident decision.

Can I back out if I don’t like the home after inspection?

If your contract includes an inspection contingency and your agent structures it properly, you can generally walk away during the inspection period if the home doesn’t meet your expectations.

Do most out-of-state buyers in Michigan buy sight unseen?

Not all—but a growing number do, especially when inventory is tight and travel is difficult. Others use one or two trips combined with virtual tours.

How do I choose the right Michigan Realtor for a sight unseen purchase?

Look for someone who:

• Has experience with relocation
• Is comfortable with video, tech, and remote processes
• Communicates clearly and honestly
• Is willing to be your “eyes and ears,” not just a door opener

Would You Buy a Home Sight Unseen?

So now I’ll turn the question to you:

Would you buy a home sight unseen in Michigan? Why or why not?
Drop your thoughts and experiences in the comments—I’d love to hear them.

And if you’re thinking about moving to Michigan, buying, selling, or investing here, and you want a Realtor who does this process every day with out-of-state clients, feel free to reach out anytime. My contact information is in the description.