Increasingly, virtual property viewings are assisting movers in finding their ideal house.
The housing market is still open, and in-person viewings are permitted across the country, however the following statement from the Government regarding house moving in England advises: ‘Initial viewings should be conducted virtually wherever feasible.’
Buyers and renters can get a sneak peek of the property from the comfort of their laptop, phone, or tablet – whether it’s through an interactive 3D tour, a pre-recorded video, or a live walk-through by the seller or agent if the home is vacant.
Here’s Our guide to getting the most out of a virtual viewing.
Video viewings
There are several methods to assess a property’s condition from a video viewing even if you’re not physically in the room.
We advise taking note of different aspects of the property including:
- How old are the kitchen and the bathroom
- Visible leaks in the walls or ceiling, as well as indications of dampness
- If the home was just painted, it’s possible that underlying problems are being hidden.
- Whether there’s any space for storage, especially in the kitchen and bedrooms
- The scenery from the windows
- The quality of the windows, whether they are single or double-glazed, and any flaws in them.
Aerial views – which you may see in a video with high-production values – can show you the property’s surroundings and whether it is near to a road, especially in rural areas.
You can also learn things like whether the décor complements your style and how light or dark a room is, although you won’t necessarily know what time of year a video was shot or what the weather was like outside.
3D virtual tours
The major benefit of an interactive 3D tour over a video viewing is that you may enter every room and area of the house.
A 3D walkthrough will give you a complete picture of the property, with both its advantages and drawbacks.
If an agent glosses over certain rooms or omits portions of the property, there’s probably a reason for it. Even if it’s simply for the sake of aesthetics.
There are a variety of measuring tools accessible through most 3D tour software, so you can see whether that new sofa will fit without having to go back and forth again.
Follow up with a live video viewing
If you’re still hungry for more information after watching a video or 3D walkthrough, you may contact the estate agent and inquire about a live streamed guided tour, which might be given by the seller or the real estate professional.
That might be achieved with apps like WhatsApp, FaceTime, or Zoom, for example.
The benefits of a live video tour include the ability to inquire more in person-style questions.
What the community is like, as well as local schools, restaurants, and stores. It’s also an excellent moment to speak with the seller about the home in further detail, such as what may need replacing or might be due for an upgrade, like the boiler for example.
You may also request that the agent or vendor show you various aspects of the property, such as a view from a desk or a kitchen sink, as well as the outside environment.
Do some extra research
It’s good to be informed on those things you may not get from a virtual viewing.
You have to think of something like this from a distance as though you will not be able to get everything from a virtual view that you would from an in-person one.
When making an offer, the most important factors for buyers are location, size, and price.
Checking these items online is considerably easier than inspecting them on a viewing.
For example, you might see Google Maps and floorplans. You could also look to see how many houses in the area have been sold for.
How are virtual viewings different from in-person ones?
In-person viewings shouldn’t be substituted by virtual views, but they have a significant role to play in the current competitive environment.
You’re not utilizing it as a platform for making an offer, but also people shouldn’t put themselves in unnecessary danger by going to in-person viewings when a virtual one will suffice.
At any physical inspections, property purchasers should follow government recommendations such as social distancing and mask use.
A physical inspection will provide you a sense of the property that you can’t get from a virtual tour.
The advantages of virtual viewing include the ability to narrow down your options and eliminate properties that don’t meet your expectations.
A virtual viewing may be just as effective as a physical one if conducted with the right questions.
After a virtual viewing, movers should sharpen the questions they ask.
For example, instead of asking, ‘How good are the appliances?’, inquire about their age. You will not be able to tell everything, but you may minimize it by asking the right questions. An agent cannot keep information from you.
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