As someone over the age of 50, as I’m, it was hard for me to buy into the idea someone would actually submit an offer on a condominium from a Beacon Hill real estate broker on FaceTime. Until it happened to me.
First, this offer didn’t go very smoothly as one would think. The first issue I had was I had an Samsung android cell phone, unbeknownst to me, one is not able to use FaceTime on a Samsung android phone. Fortunately, I was able to obtain a Apple cell phone from a friend. And then here comes the second problem, I was able to go on FaceTime with my client and began the tour, when the battery life dies in the middle of my Beacon Hill condo tour. Once again, bad luck turned into good luck when the listing broker had an Apple cell phone which she allowed me to use.
This story ends with a happy ending, my client decided to put in a nearly full price offer with the condition of physically viewing the property, the offer was accepted. A few days latter, my out-of-state buyers flew into Boston, viewed the condominium and now this condo transaction has a signed Purchase & Sales Agreement (P&S) and the funds have gone into escrow.
It’s hard to believe that any Boston condo buyer would make such a monumental financial decision without visiting a property. At this time, most do not. A virtual tour via video chat is merely a tool to help Beacon Hill condo buyers vet a property and can be followed up by an in-person showing if they really love the home. Alternatively, some brokers, like me, have been presenting offers with clauses that make the agreement conditional upon viewing the property at a later date.
In case you’re wondering, I’m in the process of buying an Apple cell phone, which will be fully charged when I do my next FaceTime showing.
