"We believe in the future, and understand the ever-changing needs of the population: some customers, in particular those who are planning to buy a home for investment purposes, do their homework; while others have made their decision, which leaves them wanting to complete their deal more quickly, with no requirement of meetings with sellers, at a time that is convenient for them. To improve their experience, we are introducing a solution that will save time and resources for us. In order to offer these buyers, the option of a self-directed and fast process coupled with a particularly attractive price, we have packaged our products in the most common combinations", said Mantas Galdikas, the Director of Citus.
Remote home buying – the reality of today
"The pandemic that took place a few years ago, and the restrictions of which compelled businesses and residents alike to innovate, prompted us to consider allowing customers the option of buying real estate remotely. During this period, online trading flourished, and virtual communication made it even clearer how digital solutions could save time and make life more comfortable. In a time of global mobility constraints, we were perhaps the first to embrace online sales. We applied a new way by which to meet customers; this included providing advice on buying a home and the things to bear in mind when signing contracts. This change was initially met with some scepticism, but it eventually gained our consumers' trust and it has since been successfully implemented. With consistent improvement of our sales strategy, we have gone one step further and simplified the buying process, and we now offer an innovative solution: the virtual Citus transaction," Mantas Galdikas proclaimed.
During the virtual transaction, a preliminary agreement for the purchase of a house is concluded, and the notarial contract, as before, can also be signed remotely, collaborating with notaries engaged in such practices.
The company's director believes that the advantages of a virtual transaction will not only benefit those who purchase real estate for investment purposes but also individuals who want to make decisions independently and quickly, without the intervention of sellers.
"We are also seeing a demand for virtual purchases of homes from compatriots living abroad. It is often the case that they have accumulated money and they want to invest it in Lithuania. People who invest valuable time while at the same time looking for simplicity sometimes find their options limited as a result of physical distance. These aspects are also the reason why, for example, the virtual home-buying process became popular in the US during the COVID-19 pandemic. Looking at global trends, we see an opportunity to improve the home buying experience for homebuyers," said the Director of Citus.
Savings of up to €23,000, or 11%.
According to Director of Citus, the virtual deal service will start with eleven real estate objects. It will be possible to buy 1-3 room apartments with parking and bicycle storage in the projects Miško Ardai by CITUS, Like in New York by CITUS, and Visi Savi by CITUS (the last apartment packages), and also apartments for recreation and rental purposes with parking facilities in the project Nemunas by CITUS in Druskininkai.
In Vilnius, there are nine offers available which offer 25-73 m2 apartments (1.5-3 rooms, and each with parking space) or apartments in Miško Ardai by CITUS with bicycle storage facilities.
There are three more 19-39 m2 apartments with 1-2 rooms in Druskininkai Nemunas by CITUS available, with parking (parking spaces will be unmarked). The Citus website will provide all the necessary information about these apartments.
"We will set up our online properties in the way by which buyers with differing needs tend to buy them: for example, for investors, a smaller apartment with parking space and bike storage or a storage room; for families, a larger apartment with two parking spaces, etc. When you buy online, we will offer you the best price for the whole package. This is also determined by the savings we can make with our sales team and the more attractive pricing we will apply at the beginning of the project to increase buyer interest," emphasised the Director of CITUS.
One example: one set of the apartment Miško Ardai by CITUS, is offered at a discount of more than 23,000 EUR, while the other is provided at 11% of the total price. The discounts for the existing properties range from around 4.5 to 23.2 thousand and from 3 to 11%, depending on the project and the specific property in question.
"These offers can be found, and the most attractive price can be obtained only by making a virtual transaction on the Citus website – these real estate units will not be included in the general offers on the project websites, and company representatives will not propose them during regular sales processes at meetings with clients," revealed M. Galdikas.
Based on the initial results of the virtual transaction, customers' needs, and the size of the existing supply, it is planned to expand the range to include a wider variety of housing packages and improve the solution by offering more innovative and straightforward features.
Buying a home online: practical steps
Housing is one of the most expensive kinds of purchase, meaning that any offer to shorten the pre-deal process and get a better price could, until recently, have been met with doubts or hooks. But there are simple and proven solutions in place which will make it easier for buyers to go about their daily lives.
Buying a home online can be simple, fast and reliable. The website will provide customers with the most critical housing information. Once they have read it and chosen the one, they are interested in, they will fill out the contract on Dokobit platform and sign it with the e-signature process. Once the responsible CITUS specialists have confirmed the order, the reservation deposit will be paid.
It was Lithuanians who developed the Dokobit system, which is now operated by one of Europe's fastest-growing companies, namely the Norwegian e-identity solutions provider Signicat.
By the way, the project Miško Ardai by CITUS also offers the possibility to seal a notarial transaction remotely.
