Buying your Bowie home before you arrive
Live video tours, remote inspections and closing coordination so your home is ready when you report.
How remote buying works
- Video call with Bruno to set must-haves, budget and commute.
- Live video tours, not just recorded clips. Ask anything in real time.
- Inspection attended by Bruno with a full report and video walk-through.
- E-signatures for offer and contract documents.
- Closing in person, by power of attorney, or remote where the title company allows.
Who you will work with
Bruno Tarquinii, REALTOR® with Fairfax Realty Premier, handles the search, the offer and the negotiation. Noël, a disabled Navy veteran who continues to serve, makes sure the plan fits military life: report dates, TLE, house hunting leave and moving on a deadline.
Common questions
Can I buy a house without seeing it in person?
Yes. Many PCS buyers rely on live video tours and a detailed inspection. Bruno walks you through every room and the neighborhood.
Can I close if I am still overseas?
Often yes, by power of attorney or remote closing where the title company permits. Plan this early.
How early should I start?
As soon as you have orders. Get VA pre-approval first, then start tours 4 to 8 weeks before your move.
What if the home has issues I could not see on video?
The inspection is your protection. Bruno reviews findings with you and negotiates repairs or credits.
How a remote purchase works, step by step
- Pre-approval with a VA-experienced lender. Ask about remote closing options and timing around your report date.
- Define must-haves. Commute limits to your duty station, bedroom count, budget based on BAH, and deal-breakers.
- Live video tours. I walk each home on video, open closets, test water pressure, show the street and neighbors’ yards, and point out anything the photos hide.
- Offer and contract. Signed electronically.
- Inspection. You join by video while the inspector walks the home and receive the full report.
- Appraisal and loan approval. The VA appraisal includes minimum property requirements.
- Closing. Many title companies offer mail-away or remote notary closings, or a power of attorney if needed. Confirm with your lender early.
Timeline to plan around
Contract to closing is typically 30 to 45 days. If you start searching 60 to 90 days before your report date, you can often close close to your arrival. Bowie homes took a median of 21 days to sell in 2026, so good options move quickly.
Protecting yourself when you can’t see it in person
- Ask for a video of the home at night and during rush hour on the commute route.
- Order a sewer scope on older homes and a full inspection on every home.
- Check flood maps and the SDAT tax record for each address.
- Do a final walkthrough by video before closing.
Know your numbers first
Use the BAH Mortgage Calculator to see what your allowance covers before you start touring.
More questions
Can I buy a house without seeing it in person?
Yes. Many PCS buyers do, using live video tours, remote inspections and remote closings.
Can my spouse sign if I’m deployed?
With a proper power of attorney accepted by the lender and title company. Arrange it early.
What if I don’t like the home after arriving?
That’s why the inspection period and video walkthroughs matter. Raise concerns before closing, not after.
How early should I start?
Ideally 60 to 90 days before your report date.
Want a plan built around your orders?
Get a written PCS plan or text Bruno with your report date.