What Is Sight Unseen in Real Estate?
Sight unseen means buying a property without physically visiting it in person before closing. In real estate, the term describes how a purchase decision is made—not the condition of the home.
💡 Quick Answer
Sight unseen in real estate refers to purchasing a home without an in-person walkthrough. Buyers rely on photos, videos, disclosures, inspections, and third-party evaluations instead of physically visiting the property.
📌 What “Sight Unseen” Means
Buying sight unseen means the buyer does not personally step inside the property before closing. Instead, the decision is based on documented information and professional evaluation.
- Listing photos and virtual tours
- Video walkthroughs or live remote showings
- Seller disclosures
- Home inspections and reports
- Input from agents or representatives
📍 When Buyers Purchase Sight Unseen
Sight-unseen purchases are more common in specific situations, including:
- Relocation or out-of-state moves
- Competitive markets requiring quick decisions
- Investment property purchases
- New construction or recently renovated homes
- When a trusted representative can view the property
🧾 Common Misunderstanding
A common misconception is that buying a home sight unseen automatically means skipping inspections or taking excessive risk.
In reality, most sight-unseen purchases still rely heavily on inspections, disclosures, and contingency protections.
⚖️ What Sight Unseen Does Not Mean
Buying sight unseen does not mean:
- Waiving inspections automatically
- Ignoring seller disclosures
- Accepting unknown condition issues
- Skipping legal or escrow protections
📌 Key Takeaway
Sight unseen simply describes purchasing a property without an in-person visit. The level of risk depends on how much due diligence is performed—not on whether the buyer physically toured the home.
🚀 Buying or Selling Remotely?
Understanding how sight-unseen purchases work can help buyers and sellers navigate long-distance transactions with confidence.