Due to the COVID-19 Outbreak we are now offering Virtual Services!

We are taking great caution to protect our loved ones during the Coronavirus, as well as yours. While our team is continuing to work remotely we've taken other precautions. We are now available for virtual meetings, showings as well as virtual open houses!! Of course we can still do live showings with precaution. Click here to schedule a Virtual Tour of any of our listings!

Tips to help you to view a home remotely

Questions to ask your real estate agent before your video-chat home tour

Is there a floorplan of the home I can reference during the tour? This can help you get a better sense of the size and layout of rooms as your agent shows you what they’re like in real-time.

If we experience network reception issues, can you record a video and send it to me instead? Be clear about which features of the home you’d like to focus on, which areas to spend extra time on and where to show multiple angles.

Questions to ask during your video-chat home tour

Do any features or surfaces look worn or damaged? It’s not always easy to tell from a video, so take some time to make sure looks match reality. 

What are the noise levels like inside and outside the home? If a home is on a busy street or near popular public areas, you’ll want to know if volume may be a concern.

Can you open any curtains or blinds so I can see all possible views? Sometimes a seller might be hiding an obstructed or unsightly view if a window is covered up.

How old are the kitchen appliances? The life expectancy of kitchen appliances varies and can be easily overlooked during a video home tour. Replacing old appliances can be very expensive so be sure that the home your touring has appliances that will function well into the foreseeable future.

What direction is natural light coming from? This can help you get a better sense of how much light you’d get in certain rooms when the sun rises and sets.

If touring a single-family home, how close by are neighbors’ homes? Knowing how close the home is to the ones next door can help you get a better idea of potential noise levels or whether a window looks directly into the homes next door.

 If touring a condo, can you show me any common areas, like the hallways or amenities of the building? Getting a sense of daily life in shared spaces will help you decide if the home’s a good fit.

In carpeted areas, can you walk around and tell me if you hear any creaking or other sounds? Finding out that your subflooring has structural issues, post-closing, can significantly add to the overall cost of the home down the road.

If there’s landscaping, is it well-maintained with quality materials? Curb appeal can play a big role in home value, so don’t forget to check the condition of the spaces outside of the home. This may just influence the amount you’d want to offer.

Do you notice any odors inside or outside the home that are unusual? You don’t want to buy a home that has a lingering sewer smell or maybe downwind of a paper mill or some other industrial site. You’ll need to trust that your Agent’s nose knows the area and most importantly, what odors do not belong in a house.

Questions for after the home tour

Did anything look noticeably different in person vs. in the listing photos? Sellers might accentuate a feature in photos, while it doesn’t look the same in-person.

Can you take me on a “drive” around the neighborhood? One of the biggest factors that buyers consider in a new home is the look and feel of the surrounding area. Taking a virtual tour can extend to other parts of the neighborhood if your agent is up for it.

Is there anything you noticed about the home that might be of concern? Since your agent is seeing the home in person, it’s possible they noticed water damage, any damage to the roof, a crack in the wall or chipped molding that you didn’t.

While it sounded futuristic only weeks ago, more buyers are making offers after watching video walk-throughs performed by Realtors and having video-chat tours. The Rensch Group agents are still active in the market, with new tools for each step of the buying process. So, if you’re planning on taking advantage of the market during this historic Spring, we’ve got everything you need to find your next home – without leaving your current home.

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