Buying a Home Just Got More Convenient

The COVID-19 pandemic, and the social distancing requirements that came with it, initially created a lot of chaos and inconvenience. However, as time goes on, we've all found creative ways to adapt. Some of the changes that were born out of necessity have now made life much easier.

The real estate industry is one place where going virtual has made a real difference. Our real estate agents love how much more convenient the buying process is for their clients. Here are a few of the ways social distancing has changed things for the better.

• Virtual Tours
  Virtual tours are the first option most buyers will explore when looking at South Bend homes for sale. These are short videos that show off the best features of homes listed on the market. While this is certainly nothing new, many buyers use them to narrow down their choices before going further.
  
  However, you'll want to remember that these videos can often take advantage of lighting and camera angles to make spaces look larger than they are. It's also difficult to get a real feel for a home simply by watching a video, so keep an open mind.
  
  
• Private Virtual Showings
  When you've found some homes that interest you, it's now usually possible to schedule a virtual private showing. This is a one-on-one viewing that you'll do with either the seller, your agent, or the listing agent. During your tour, the other party will be at the house, showing you the property through a real-time video call.
  
  This will give you a much better idea of the home's details and allow you to take a closer look at areas that aren't shown in the virtual tours.
  
  
• Neighborhood Research
  Gone are the days of having to drive around hour after hour exploring potential neighborhoods. Today, many reliable resources have gathered extensive neighborhood-specific information. Spend a bit of time online, and you'll be able to find important details like the area's demographics, average education level, average income, as well as the local schools, dining, shopping, and more.
  
  
• Digital Closings
  Digital signatures have been around for a while, but lenders, closing companies, and technology innovators are now taking extra steps to create a more secure digital closing process. Video conferencing is now the norm, and online portals make it easy to keep all of your information and paperwork organized.
  
  New breakthroughs are under development that will allow for the integration of remote online notarization to become even more mainstream. Not only are the new closing processes much more convenient, but they have also cut the average closing time down from about an hour to just 20 minutes. Eliminating the need for printing and paper is also a huge cost saver and is better for the environment.

Start Your Homebuying Journey Today

If you've been dreaming of buying a new home, don't let the "new normal" hold you back. Our real estate agents will help you navigate the array of virtual options available to you.

At the same time, we also understand that many buyers still want to see their home in person before deciding. That's why we also offer in-person services in a safe, socially-distanced manner. We'll help you find your dream home in whatever way makes you comfortable. Contact us today to learn more!