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A Virtual World - Even When Purchasing A House!
With the ongoing (we all hope, gradually easing) Covid crisis across the world, people are discovering they can work from home! It is now perfectly acceptable to work in a virtual office, just as efficiently as if one would in the physical office, communicating effectively, even having online meetings with colleagues – but at home with the cat on one’s lap!
Who would have thought, a decade or so ago, that such a phenomenon, just a murmur of a possibility at the time, would become so very much acceptable and normal! And now you can pay your bills, change accounts, and manage your banking, purchase and sell, from the comfort of your home pc or mobile. And this has now extended even to purchasing property!
Within the last year, we have carried out many virtual viewings for those not in the country, usually through mobile chat apps, of properties. And people love it! We can show them around a house, double back if they ask us to check out a detail in a room, or a hidden corner of the garden, chat to the owners, even meet the neighbours. This is
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complemented by making videos which are displayed along with the photos of the property, on the website, and on our YouTube channel (in fact, the YouTube channel attracts followers whether they are looking to buy or not – it seems to appeal, perhaps a little bit of escapism for those unable to buy somewhere under the sun!) Paperwork is easy to check out these days without touching a parchment! And obtaining a power of attorney for a lawyer to represent one is also easy, and not nearly as expensive as it used to be. Much to our surprise, it is now not unusual for our buyers to see their newly purchased houses for the very first time post-sale! We have three at this very moment in time who are looking forward to enjoying their virtual purchases. Of course, it’s not for everyone – smelling the air, feeling the breeze, is not possible virtually – yet! But thank goodness for new technology, it really has converted the virtual world into reality! By Toni Waterman, Unspoilt Andalusia Real Estate Vélez-Málaga (see advertisement below)