Do you want an easy way to view a home you want to buy? Or are you pressed for time or out of town, but still want to go new house shopping? Whatever the reason, video house tours are a great solution to this problem. Video and virtual home tours are relatively new ways to view homes you want to look at when you are shopping for a new home, and they’ve proven to be very effective for many prospective homebuyers. They can really give you an up-close look at what a home’s interior, exterior, floor plan, and neighborhood look like. While video and virtual home tours aren’t a complete replacement for an in-person walk-through, they can help you narrow down your choices and help you select just the right homes to visit up close. Now that you understand what a video or virtual home tour is and how it benefits you, let’s look at what questions to ask during your virtual home tour.

Questions to Ask During Your Virtual Home Tour

Some of the homes you view online through the MLS (What is the MLS?) may include a virtual tour as part of the property listing. This type of video tour can be helpful, but may be a little confusing because they are typically created by setting a camera in 1 place in a space and taking a 360 degree view of that room, or by turning still photos of the property, into a video slideshow.

So if you are going to schedule a live virtual tour conducted by your agent, you’ll not only have it narrated and can ask questions during your virtual tour, but you’ll be able to “walk” from room to room to better understand the flow of the property.

Below is a list of questions you can ask your real estate agent before or during your virtual home tour.

1. Ask about the technology. Can you zoom in and out on the video or virtual tour? Can a room be revisited? Can you ask to get a close up of a lighting fixture, floor, or some other feature of a home? Can the virtual tour include an outside walk-around of the property?
2. What if there is a live video problem? If you are on a live video tour with your agent at the home, ask if they will record the tour so you can watch later on a replay type of basis if for any reason the connection has an issue. If you want to show it to other friends or family members, a link to view the same tour at a later time, can be helpful.
3. While you will not be directly in the home to inspect anything up close, you can ask your real estate agent to take a look at anything you particularly want to know about the house. If the video tour is a live session, you can continue to ask questions as they arise, just as if you were present at the walkthrough.
4. How does everything look overall? Are there worn or damaged areas that are more visible in person? Your real estate agent can certainly move around and get in closer to areas you ask about.
5. How about updates to the home? Were they done well and with good workmanship and materials? Ask about the age of the appliances, water heater, and furnace, and any other items included with the home, too. If you want a view inside closets, cabinets, or an attic, you should ask to see those areas during your virtual home tour.

Questions to Ask After Your Virtual Home Tour

While you review a home virtually, make sure to keep a list of questions or comments to cover with your agent after it’s concluded. You will likely have more than what we list, but this is a good checklist to start with.

1. Ask about smells or other concerns that really require an in-person visit. Any signs of water damage or cracks? What is the condition of the walls, carpets, and other fixtures in the house? Did any of them show wear that would be hard to notice during the virtual or video walkthrough?
2. Ask about the neighborhood, houses immediately surrounding the property, and exterior of the home.
3. Ask your agent what they liked. Did your real estate agent come away with a good feeling about the home? Did they feel it showed well? Or did they think it could have been a better experience?

Your Tech-Savvy Memphis Area Real Estate Agent

When it’s time to sell your existing home or buy a great new place, turn to a highly-regarded and well-informed local real estate agent. You want someone that you can trust to give you the best advice and know-how for this area. Check out my other great articles to help you through your home selling and buying experience here in Memphis.

And, take a minute to learn more about me and how I can guide you with your house sale, new home purchase, or buying a great parcel of land. With over 15 years of top-notch service for my clients, I want to help you with your home selling or buying process as well. As a top-performing, licensed real estate agent in the Memphis area, showing you the best properties for you and your family is my goal! Contact me at (901) 828-8919 or drop me a quick note at angie@angiekelley.com and we can speak in person about your plans and options. I look forward to speaking with you today! Ask me about seeing homes for sale by video or virtual tour and find the best place for you!

Angie Kelley, Crye-Leike Realtors
(901) 828-8919 or (901) 840-1181