Discovering a property that meets your criteria can be exciting. The images are appealing, the price is within budget, and the neighborhood looks promising. However, before contacting your agent to schedule a showing, consider taking a thorough virtual tour. This is not just a casual scroll-through, but a purposeful walkthrough to help you determine if this home deserves a spot on your list for an in-person visit.
Whether you’re searching for an apartment in Atlanta, GA, or a house in Dallas, TX, knowing what to look for during a virtual tour can refine your search and prevent unnecessary trips.
Using Virtual Tours Wisely
It’s important to understand that a virtual tour is a tool to narrow down your options, not a substitute for physically visiting a property. Isaiah Ketterman from Maven X Visuals advises using a virtual tour to filter out thirty listings to three, which you can then visit in person.
Sherry Rennick of Perspective 3D suggests treating the tour as a filter to rule properties in or out before scheduling an in-person visit. Montram Home Tours also recommends using a virtual tour as a first step and validating your impressions with an in-person walkthrough and a thorough home inspection before making an offer.
Approaching a virtual tour in this way is crucial to avoid dismissing homes you might love in person or getting attached to properties that may present issues during an in-person visit.
Key Focus Areas During a Virtual Tour
1. Layout and Flow
A virtual tour can provide insights into a home’s layout and how rooms connect, which photos often cannot convey. Dean Kominek from CAPTUR3D emphasizes the importance of understanding how rooms connect and whether the layout aligns with your lifestyle before scheduling a showing.
2. Room Sizes and Proportions
Utilize floor plans or measurement tools in 3D tours to assess room sizes and proportions. Pay attention to the potential distortion caused by wide-angle lenses and compare measurements against your furniture to avoid surprises during an in-person visit.
3. Often Overlooked Spaces
Carefully observe what the tour includes and excludes, especially in agent-led video tours. Matt Jones from Synergy Marketing Consultants emphasizes focusing on essential spaces like bathrooms, storage areas, and surroundings to make informed decisions.
4. Multiple Viewings
Take advantage of the ability to revisit a virtual tour multiple times to notice details you might have missed initially. This can help you make a more informed decision before scheduling an in-person visit.
Considerations While Watching a Virtual Tour
1. Agent-led Video Tours vs. Self-guided 3D Tours
Distinguish between these tour formats and focus on the layout and condition of the property rather than entertainment value. Pay attention to what the tour showcases and whether it aligns with your priorities.
2. Limitations of Virtual Tours
Recognize that virtual tours cannot capture certain aspects such as sound, temperature, or the overall feel of a property. Make note of these limitations and address them during an in-person visit.
Enhancing Your In-Person Visit
Utilize the insights gained from a virtual tour to prepare for your in-person showing. Bring a list of unanswered questions, size and layout notes, condition follow-ups, and pay attention to details that may not have been apparent in the virtual tour.
Starting your home search with virtual tours on Redfin can help you make informed decisions about which properties to visit in person. When you’re ready to tour your shortlist, a local Redfin agent can provide guidance and support throughout the process.