How to Buy a Home Sight-Unseen During Your PCS Move
- Brad S.
- Jun 24
- 2 min read
When You Can’t Be There in Person
PCS moves have a way of demanding speed—and sometimes, speed means buying a home you’ve never physically stepped inside.
It might sound risky, but with the right steps, military families can successfully buy sight-unseen without regrets. In fact, it’s becoming more common as remote tools and trusted agents make the process smoother than ever.
Here’s how to do it smartly and safely.
Find a Military-Savvy Real Estate Agent
This is your frontline defense. A good agent, especially one familiar with PCS moves, can:
Act as your eyes and ears
Provide honest feedback beyond the listing photos
Coordinate virtual tours, inspections, and closing logistics
At Salvato & Co., we specialize in helping military families navigate Maryland real estate remotely—because we’ve been there ourselves.
Use Virtual Tours—But Go Beyond the Basics
Listing photos and 3D tours are a good start. But for a true sense of a home, request:
Live Video Walkthroughs: Your agent can video call you from the property, pointing out details (good and bad) in real-time.
Neighborhood Tours: Get a feel for the street, nearby amenities, and traffic patterns.
Measurement Verifications: Double-check room sizes, garage dimensions, and backyard space.
A live walkthrough offers an unfiltered view—crucial for spotting things the listing doesn't show.
Insist on a Strong Home Inspection
When buying sight-unseen, inspections aren’t optional—they’re essential.
Choose an experienced inspector: Preferably one used to working with remote buyers.
Request a detailed written report: With lots of photos and notes.
Consider specialty inspections: Like radon testing, sewer scopes, or roof certifications, depending on the property's age and type.
You should also attend the inspection virtually if possible—your inspector can video call you while pointing out key issues.
Protect Yourself in the Contract
Build in safeguards to allow you an exit if major surprises pop up. Key clauses to include:
Home Inspection Contingency: Lets you walk away (or renegotiate) based on inspection results.
Appraisal Contingency: Protects you if the home doesn’t appraise at purchase price.
Final Walkthrough Contingency: Gives you one last remote walkthrough before closing.
Your agent and lender should both be familiar with these protections.
Plan a Solid Closing Process
Even closing can often be handled remotely. Make sure you:
Use a trusted title company experienced in remote closings.
Verify wiring instructions directly—never via emailed instructions alone.
Schedule plenty of lead time for notarized documents, if needed.
If timing allows, you may even do a quick in-person visit right before closing—but if not, these steps keep you protected.
Sight-Unseen Can Still Be Smart
Buying a home without setting foot inside sounds scary—until you realize how many safeguards you can put in place.
With a trustworthy agent, thorough inspections, smart contract clauses, and good communication, military families can buy remotely with confidence and peace of mind.
Need a Maryland-based partner who knows how to navigate sight-unseen PCS moves?
➡️ Schedule a free consultation with Salvato & Co. to build your homebuying plan—even from thousands of miles away.
