Virtual showings can provide a safe alternative to traditional home showings and open houses during the pandemic. Even if you feel more comfortable with an in-person visit, a virtual showing can help you narrow down which homes you will eventually tour in person and which properties to remove from your house hunting list.
First, What is a Virtual Showing?
Virtual private showings are live, one-on-one viewings for a prospective buyer. It’s important not to confuse virtual showings with virtual tours. Virtual tours are prerecorded videos for all buyers and can be found online for most real estate listings.
Virtual showings are typically facilitated by the seller, the sellers agent or the buyers agent and take place live on an app such as Facetime or Zoom.
Here are 4 tips to get the most out of your virtual private showing.
Consider Lighting
Revisiting the property at different times of the day can be helpful to gauge how much natural light the space gets. Have your agent pan around each room with the lights on and then again with the lights off during the day.
Study the Floor Plan Before Your Virtual Tour
Reviewing a new space via video can be confusing because it’s often difficult to determine how rooms are connected, especially if the home has a unique layout.
For a better understanding of the layout, review the floor plan before the showing and keep it handy during the live video. Also, make a list of questions that you can easily reference during the showing. For example, how close is the bathroom to the bedroom?
Confirm That Spaces are as Big as They Look
Sometimes home staging and decor can alter the perception of a space even during an in-person tour. And with video, it can be even more challenging to discern the actual dimensions of a room. An average ceiling could look much higher if the door frames are tall, or the furniture is low. Be sure to ask your agent to provide the actual measurements if you have any concerns.
Ask the Agent to be Your Eyes, Ears, and Nose
Video may allow you to inspect the home from a visual standpoint but sounds and smells can be nearly impossible to detect over video.
Have your agent listen for any creaking floors or any other any ambient noises, especially if the property is on a busy street or near crowded public areas.
Specifically ask you agent if there are any lingering odors such as mold and mildew or cigarette smoke. Not only are these smells unpleasant, but they could be indicative of a more serious problem.
Learn More: Buying a Home After a Pandemic: Michigan Loan Expert Explains
About Rochester, MI Lender, Julie Krumholz
Julie Krumholz, is a Rochester Hills mortgage lender at Superior National Bank. With over 35 years in the mortgage industry, Julie’s goal is to provide the best possible mortgage experience and the most competitive rates. Julie has vast experience in FHA loans, VA Loans, USDA loans, portfolio loans, MSHDA loans and more.
Contact Julie today at: 586-382-5482
