5 Best Practices That Home Buyers Should Try To Maximize Virtual Showings

Looking for a home through a screen may be a different experience compared to viewing it in person. However, a virtual tour is a great practice to have a look at the property before actually seeing it. Being able to house hunt virtually will keep you safe as well in the comforts of your home. Here are the best practices to help you maximize the virtual showings:

Ask ahead for a floor plan before the virtual tour.

Being not physically present, you will need a floor plan to be better oriented with space. You can use the floor plan as a reference during the tour. This is to help you get a better understanding of the ceiling height, size, and layout of the rooms. It also helps you to put these things in perspective, especially if you’re not used to touring houses virtually. A floor plan serves as a checklist to ensure you and your agent have seen every part of the home. 

Prepare your gadgets.

Being tech-savvy is not really necessary to be able to attend virtual showings and continue your house hunting safely. However, it’s very important that you prepare the gadgets you will need for the tour. Bring your computer or smartphone that is fully charged before taking the tour. Make sure your network connection is as strong as possible, especially when using apps like FaceTime or Skype. Double-check the link if you and your agent will do the showing via Zoom.

Ask the right questions.

During an in-person tour, you’re free to see and touch every nook and cranny of the house. But there might be some details that you’re likely to miss out or won’t come clear through a screen. 

Don’t hesitate to ask proper questions to your agent during the virtual showing. Find out if there are unusual odors, the noise levels inside the home, the direction of natural light, etc. Also, don’t forget to check the laundry room, garage, and other storage areas. After the virtual showing, visualize the place and decide if it fits you and your family’s needs.

Don’t forget to do a virtual test-drive of the neighborhood.

Looking for the right neighborhood is also crucial. However, because of COVID-19, strolling a neighborhood in some areas may be strictly impossible. 

But you can still do a virtual drive-by of the neighborhood. You can look at the home on Google Street View via Google Maps. It’s a great way to ‘walk’ the street without leaving your comfortable couch. You can also check for neighborhood publications or community social media groups to know more about local events and activities.

Request for a video after the showing.

After the virtual showing, request your agent to send you the recorded video footage to help you make a decision. You may refer to it if you missed out on some details of the home during the live tour. Having your agent record the whole tour will also be useful if you experience connection issues during the showing.