Are you in the market for a new single-family home but you can't be there to choose one in person? Here are a few things you can do to make sure that you don't end up regretting the new family home that you buy.

Hire a Representative

The first thing you should do before starting your home search is to hire a real estate agent to represent you throughout the buying process. You need someone to rely on who can visit prospective homes in person for you and provide you with in-depth feedback about each property they look at.

You can count on your real estate agent to complete reports that outline the condition and quality of every aspect of any single-family home they visit on your behalf. They can provide you with high-quality photos of each room and feature you're interested in, and they might even be able to record a video of their tour so that you can take your own virtual tour online.

Having someone who is experienced and reliable act as your eyes and ears while searching for a new single-family home to buy will take a lot of the guesswork out of the process. And it will help ensure that the home you end up buying will meet your family's needs and expectations as time goes on.

Schedule Inspections

It is also a good idea to schedule a few professional inspections for a home you're seriously interested in buying since you can't be there yourself to ensure that the place is in good condition. Have someone inspect the foundation, the plumbing system, and the electrical system. Make sure that the entire home is up to code by checking with the county to verify that the proper permits are in place.

In addition, have someone inspect the soil in the yard of the single-family home to make sure that you'll be able to successfully garden and that the property isn't contaminated with things like sewage. The inspection reports you receive should give you a good idea of what kind of condition a house is in before you buy it. This will help you know what to expect when it comes to future maintenance and repairs.

Talk With the Neighbors

You can get a good idea of what the neighborhood is like for any single-family home you're interested in by calling or emailing the neighbors and learning more about their lifestyles and their experiences in the area. By talking with the neighbors before making an offer on a home, you'll learn how helpful or distant they are, what kind of support systems will be available to you, and whether the area is kid- or animal-oriented.

Speaking with the neighbors will help you decide whether you'll feel comfortable living in the home and neighborhood you're considering investing in. If you don't click with the neighbors or at least find common ground with them during your talks, chances are that you won't enjoy living near them in the coming years. For more information about single-family homes, contact a real estate agent.