Buying a house via FaceTime—do you really do that?

It may sound hard to imagine: buying a house via Facetime. Yet these days it happens more often than you might think. The housing market on the Costa Blanca is tight, demand is high, and the most beautiful homes are often sold within just a few days. So what do you do when you spot your dream home, but you’re still in the Netherlands?

The current market demands speed

If you’ve been looking for a while, you know this: the days of taking your time to get oriented are over. Homes with a great view, a favorable location, or an interesting price are scarce. Especially in popular places like Moraira, Benissa, and Javea, competition is fierce. Often, there are multiple interested parties at the same time.

So I’m hearing more and more often: “Can you do a video call?”

And yes, you can. With Facetime or WhatsApp, I take my clients through the property virtually—from the driveway to the view from the terrace. It’s not the same as walking through it yourself, but it does give you a good picture—and, above all, the ability to act quickly.

Why people still do it anyway

The main reason? Speed. A home that meets all your wishes—great location, view, modern finish, and a realistic price—is one you don’t want to miss. By reserving the property, you temporarily take it off the market and prevent someone else from swooping in with a better offer.
To do that, you pay a reservation amount between €5,000 and €10,000. This means the home is ‘off the market’ for a short period. During that time, you can book your flight and view the property with your own eyes before you sign the preliminary purchase contract and make the 10% deposit.

Of course, there’s risk

As with any purchase, there’s also a risk here. If you back out of the purchase without a valid reason, you’ll lose your reservation. But compared with the total purchase amount, that risk is small—especially when you know there are multiple buyers lining up. What’s more, the reservation process is guided by your real estate agent and a local lawyer, so everything is handled correctly from a legal standpoint.

Trust and guidance are crucial

Buying a house via Facetime is not just about the video—it’s mainly about trust. You need someone who puts your interests first, advises you honestly, and knows exactly what to look out for. Someone who knows the local market, knows the seller, and understands what a good investment looks like.

I regularly guide clients who make their reservation without having seen the property in person. And so far? No regrets. Precisely because they knew that I work carefully, pay attention to the right things, and also point out the less positive aspects honestly, they were able to decide with confidence.

Move faster, without regret

Buying a house via Facetime isn’t a leap in the dark—if you approach it the right way. With the right guidance, transparent information, and a clear step-by-step plan, you can move quickly and invest with a calm mind.

Still wondering whether this is something for you?

Let’s discuss what’s possible together. Whether you want to keep an eye on things from the Netherlands or visit in person here—I’ll make sure you make the right choices, at the right time.