How to Ask When Touring a House on Video-Chat

What to Ask When Touring a House on Video Chat

Video chat home tours have surged in popularity and are set to continue as a valuable home vetting tool. Here’s how to make the most of your video-chat home tour and the questions you should ask to ensure you get a clear picture of the property.

Questions to Ask Before a Video-Chat Home Tour

• Is there a floor plan you can use as a reference during the tour? A floor plan helps you orient yourself and get a good sense of the layout and size of each room.
• Can the tour be recorded as a video? This allows you to review the tour later to ensure you didn't miss or misunderstand anything the first time, especially if there were any network connection issues.
• Communicate what you want to see. Be clear on which areas and angles you’d like the agent to spend extra time on. If you don’t communicate this, the agent may miss areas that are important to you.

Questions to Ask During a Video-Chat Home Tour

• What condition are the surfaces in? Video may not always show scratches or blemishes clearly.
• What direction does the home face? Ask about the home’s orientation to understand its exposure to sunlight and how this affects natural lighting inside.
• What are the noise levels like? If the home is close to a noisy environment, this noise may not be apparent on a video tour. Ask about both inside and outside noise levels.
• Can you open all the blinds to see the view from every window? Ensure a curtain isn’t hiding something unsightly.
• How old are the kitchen appliances and are they in full working order? Make sure the appliances are not only visually acceptable but also functional.
• Can you provide a detailed tour of the exterior? Check exterior walls, windows, lawn, pool, garden, etc.
• How close are the neighbours' houses and how does that affect the outlook and noise levels? Do the windows look straight into next door?
• Can you show any dark areas to check for moisture and mould?
• If it’s an apartment/unit, can you tour the common areas like hallways, carpark entry, and amenities?
• Is there any floor creaking or similar issues that might indicate structural problems? While these issues would appear in a professional building inspection, it’s good to be aware.
• Are there any odours, inside or outside, that are unusual? Examples include sewerage, dampness, or industrial sites nearby.
• Can you also give a video tour of the neighbourhood? This is especially useful if you can’t visit in person.

Additional Tips

Video tours are not the same as an in-person inspection, but they are a great alternative when circumstances prevent you from visiting the home yourself. This is especially useful for interstate properties before you decide to travel for an in-person visit.

Welcome Home

At JKL, we’re here to support you through every step of yourhome-buyingg journey. Our experienced team will guide you through video tours, ensuring you get the information you need to make confident decisions.

Experience our JKL real estate family. We’ll put the welcome mat out for you!