Virtual Homebuying Is on The Rise, But There Are 5 Things You Should Know Before Making an Offer

Following along on a shaky cell phone video tour of a house can be disorienting. Did that kitchen lead directly into the bathroom? Is there a washing machine in the middle of the dining room? (Yes, dear reader, these are two actual examples from tours I’ve done.) To make it easier to follow along and visualize the space, ask your realtor if there’s a floor plan you can be sent ahead of time, suggests Andrea Collins, VP Marketing at home insurance company Hippo.

2. Ask to start the tour as soon as your realtor gets out of their car

Most tours start the moment the real estate agent opens the front door, but Collins recommends starting the video much earlier than that. “You’ll be able to take into account any street noise and other neighborhood aspects,” she explains. “Inside the home, take note of street noise that can be heard from indoors, floors creaking or heavy echoes and unusual odors.” It’s easy to get so caught up in the visuals—or talking nonstop to your realtor—that you miss those auditory clues you’d normally get from an in-person showing.

3. Zoom in on the appliances

During a virtual tour, it’s easy to get caught up in aesthetics and forget to really inspect the utilities. A real estate agent who’s well-versed in virtual tours will often flag these things, but just to be safe, it’s good to make sure you get a close look at every appliance that will be coming with the house, as well as the furnace, water heater and other utilities.

“Ask about the age of home appliances like dishwashers and washing machines, which saw heavier use during the pandemic lockdown,” Collins says. (While you’re at it, this is also a good time to ask about the age and condition of the roof. If your agent doesn’t know those answers, see if they can find out and get back to you before making an offer.)

A Ring Doorbell or Nest thermostat doesn’t just look cool—it could save you money down the road. A smart thermostat, for example, can help use energy more efficiently, saving you money on home insurance. To that end, it’s worth asking about any other major home improvements, like a new roof, fence, fire hydrant nearby or smoke detectors. Insurance companies can provide you with discounts or credits on your insurance, reducing that overall cost by up to 25 percent, Collins says.

5. Open the curtains

If the curtains and blinds are shut, ask your agent to open them. Not only do you want to see how much natural light the room gets, but you want to get a good look at the view from each window. Keeping them closed is often a red flag, signaling that whatever’s on the other side of the window isn’t too pretty, warns Realtor.com.

While you’re at it, you might want to ask the agent to walk around the house, showing you what surrounds the home on all four sides. (Google Street View will also give you a sense of the neighborhood, though that imagery can be a bit dated.) Your dream home may be next door to a landfill, and if that’s the case, you probably want to know before throwing down an offer.