Here are some important pitfalls to avoid when house hunting virtually. As an increasing numbers of houses are viewed online – it is important to be well-versed in how to be a discerning viewer. While most virtual home tours are very well done – there are some things to keep in mind when watching videos. Online home tours are now akin to a virtual doormat – welcoming you into homes to start your search.
How Do Home Tour Videos Help?
Gone are the days of viewing all homes in person. Instead, virtual tours help would-be-buyers to determine if a house is worthy of an investment of their time. Here it is possible to see a floorplan come to life and help visualize space.
When House Hunting Virtually, What Pitfalls Should Be Avoided?
Videos will always be devoid of things like (some) sights, sound and smell. For clients searching from afar – some things are a trade off. The ability to see something about a house and start making decisions can be of the utmost importance. Working with a Realtor is imperative to gain access to a home for a follow up tour (think site visit by the agent or perhaps a live video walk through). If on a live tour, ask questions about noise levels (street, overhead and surrounding lots), look for things off property (condition of neighboring properties) and just general sentiments about the property. Remember, the goal of the listing agent and videographer is to present the house in the best light. This can unfortunately mean glossing over elements that might detract from the property. Your agent should be working as your eyes and ears in these types of tours.
Images Are Not Always As They Appear
Professional real estate photographers do an amazing job working with places and spaces. Where I will issue another word of caution is trying to relate the space you see on screen to the reality of the size of a room. Whether you’re looking at an empty room or one that is fully furnished – it is easy to misinterpret the reality of the space, especially as the size of the rooms increases. In these instances – look to the listing for measurements or again ask your Realtor for their thoughts (or measurements) on rooms. More than likely – the furniture you choose will be slightly different in size/dimensions and you want to ensure you can live comfortably in your new space.
Pitfalls to Avoid When House Hunting Virtually
Virtual home tours are one of the best tools when searching for a new home. You will see them leveraged both in resale homes and new construction. This is a great way to let your fingers do the walking. For anyone looking in St. Augustine, St. Johns or the Jacksonville metro area, I am happy to arrange video tours. This has helped many out of area clients to maximize their time in advance of touring homes. Feel free to contact me if you are looking for either virtual or in person tours.