Buying a home in Southwest Florida is exciting—but it can also be challenging, especially if you’re thousands of miles away on a fishing vessel in the Bering Sea off the Alaskan coast. That’s precisely the situation Cam found himself in when he reached out for help purchasing his first home. Despite the distance and logistics, we were able to guide him through the entire real estate process remotely, resulting in a successful purchase in a competitive market.
The Challenge: Remote Home Buying While Working at Sea
Cam had one major obstacle: he works remotely for extended periods on a fishing vessel in Alaska. With limited access to cell service and no ability to tour homes in person, most buyers would assume they’d have to wait or compromise. But not Cam—and not with us on his team.
We quickly adapted, relying on WhatsApp video calls and detailed walkthroughs to bring every home into view for Cam, regardless of his location. His mother and aunt became our backup communicators when we ran into time difference issues.
Another essential part of Cam’s plan was to use the home as a short-term rental while he was away at sea. This meant the home needed to meet specific requirements—not just for comfort and affordability, but also for Airbnb potential. We helped him evaluate each property’s location, layout, and rental viability so he could make an informed investment decision from thousands of miles away.
The Roadblocks: Multiple Contracts and Fierce Competition
Southwest Florida’s real estate market was fast-moving and competitive at that time. We were under contract on a couple of properties that ultimately didn’t reach the closing table. But we stayed persistent. With every offer, we learned more about what Cam wanted and how we could structure a deal that would stand out from the rest.
Success came down to:
- Clear, fast communication via WhatsApp texts and video calls
- Strong continental US-based support from Cam’s family members, who helped with communications
- Market insight that allowed us to recognize a great deal and act quickly
- Creative negotiation to secure the home at a stellar price
- An investor’s mindset to ensure the home could function well as a primary residence and as a short-term rental
In the end, Cam secured a well-located home that checked every box—ideal for his personal use and future Airbnb guests.
Why This Matters for Out-of-State and Remote Buyers
If you’re working out of state—or even offshore—you can still buy a home in Southwest Florida with confidence. Our team is experienced in remote real estate transactions, and we specialize in creative, high-touch solutions that give buyers everything they need to make an informed decision from afar.
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