COVID-19 has changed the way many buyers explore properties—and has led to a huge rise in the popularity of virtual tours.
But while virtual tours can be just as comprehensive as an in-person tour, it’s important to know what to look out for—and how to ensure you get all the information you need to make a decision about the property.
So what, exactly, do you need to look out for?
A recent article from realtor.com outlined what buyers need to know to make the most out of virtual tours, including:
- Don’t forget about the exterior. When you’re viewing a home through the screen, it can be easy to just look at the main features of the home’s interior—and miss out on key exterior details you’d see if you viewed the home in person. Make sure to ask the agent to showcase the home’s exterior and the surrounding neighborhood during your virtual tour.
- Ask questions. When you’re considering buying a property, it’s always important to ask questions—but it’s especially important when you don’t have the opportunity to see the property in person. Ask plenty of questions to get the information you need to make an educated decision about whether the home is the right fit for you (for example, “what is the average cost of utilities each month?” or “When was the roof last replaced?”).
- Take notes to keep properties straight. When you’re touring homes virtually, it can be easy to lose track—and for each home tour to bleed into the next. Make sure to take notes on each property to help keep all the details straight.