One of the ways that the real estate market has adapted to life during the pandemic is the adoption of video tours. Since many buyers and sellers are still hesitant about in-person visits, video tours have become much more common. It’s a particularly good way to see a home for the first time, to help narrow down which homes you’d like to see in person. And while video tours are a great stand-in for in-person visits, they do present their own challenges. Here are some great tips we’ve collected for maximizing your video tour.
Get the floor plan ahead of time
Not everyone is great at translating a two-dimensional image on a screen into a three-dimensional image in their mind. That’s why it’s smart to get the floorplan before you take your video tour. This helps you get the “lay of the land” and see how rooms are positioned in relation to one another. It’s easy to get turned around when you’re seeing a home via video. The floor plan will help you get your bearings. If you don’t find the floorplan online, then ask your agent for a copy.
Have a plan for a poor connection
At the time of your video tour, you should plan to be in a location with a good internet connection. There’s nothing worse than getting partway through your tour and having the connection drop. Unfortunately, even when you and your agent do everything you can to stay connected there’s always the chance of a dropped call. That’s why you should have a Plan B if you can’t reconnect. Let your agent know you’d like them to film the video tour and send it to you at a later time to view.
Prepare a list of questions
It’s helpful to have a list of questions before you begin the video tour. This helps you and your agent know what to look for in a home. If there are areas of the home where you know you want to see more detail, let your agent know. They can zoom in on the views from each room, show you up-close details about appliances or finishings, or take a better look at potential problem areas.
Engage all your senses
It’s too bad nobody has invented smell-o-vision yet — it would be very handy on a video tour. While you can easily engage many of your senses during a video tour, you can’t use your sense of smell to give you clues about a home. Ask your agent to be aware of any strange odors that may be coming from the home. This could tip you off to underlying issues like leaks or mold.
Don’t forget the neighborhood
Lastly, you should remember that you’re not only buying a home. You’re also becoming a member of a community. If your agent has time, then ask if they can take you on a tour of the neighborhood. You want to invest in a home that will have good resale value down the line, and the quality of the neighborhood definitely impacts that value.
Work with the experts
When buying a home during the pandemic, it can be incredibly helpful to work with an expert. They can help to lead you through what can be a daunting process and advise you on what to expect. If you’re ready to buy a home, then contact the team at Agent inc at 949-791-8160 or [email protected]. Let’s open your world to new possibilities!