We have changed the way we search for homes. Gone are the days of driving from one open house to another. The digital age has brought us virtual tours and we have never had more access to the real estate market. While these virtual experiences are amazing, they don’t replace the need to get inside a home and experience it for yourself. In today’s US real estate market, both virtual tours and in-person visits are must haves for buyers.
This article will walk you through the pros and cons of each and help you know when to use virtual and when an in-person visit matters most in your search for the perfect homes in the United States.
The Rise of Virtual Tours: Convenience and First Look
Virtual tours have become an important aspect of online real estate experience and offer many benefits for buyers, who are considering beginning their home search journey:
Convenience and Time Saving: Imagine looking at properties across different states or even different neighborhoods in your city from the comfort of your couch. Virtual tours eliminate the need for long travel and scheduling conflicts; it saves you time and energy.
Broader Reach: Whether you are moving from another state or even overseas, virtual tours open up a world of possibilities for you. You can get a feel for properties that would have been hard to visit in person during the early stages of your search.
First Look and Shortlisting: With thousands of listings online, virtual tours are a filter. You can quickly walk through many properties virtually and get a sense of the layout and features to help you narrow down your options to the top contenders.
Better Property Presentation: High quality virtual tours provide more information than static images alone. You can navigate through the property room by room, zoom in on details and get a sense of the flow and natural light.
Flexibility and Control: Unlike open houses, you can often access virtual tours at your own pace and go back to areas that interest you most. This level of control gives you a more focused and personalized viewing experience.
Accessibility: Virtual tours are a game changer for buyers with busy schedules, limited mobility or just not ready for in person viewings. They provide a way to start the home search process.
But let’s be real, digital tours have their limitations, and that’s precisely the reason that makes in-person visits so essential:
No Sensory Experience: You can see and sometimes hear through a virtual tour, but you can’t feel the atmosphere of a home. The subtle nuances of smell, the feel of the flooring or the ambient noise levels are all missed in a virtual setting.
Incomplete View: A virtual tour is curated. It might not show every corner of the property like storage spaces, potential problem areas or the view from every window.
Potential for Misrepresentation: Professional staging and wide-angle lenses can create a perception of space or condition that’s not entirely accurate.
Technical Glitches: A jerky virtual tour, low video quality or incompatibility with your device can be annoying and prevent you from fully seeing the property.
Lack of Personal Interaction: You can’t ask questions or get a sense of the real estate agent’s personality in real time during a standard virtual tour.
The Enduring Importance of In-Person Visits: The Decisive Factor
Despite the rise of virtual technology, physically stepping inside a property remains a very important aspect of the home buying process, especially in the US market where buying a home is a big deal. And here is why in-person visits still matter:
Tangible Experience: Walking through a home allows you to truly experience the space. You can feel the flow of the space, notice the finishes, see the natural light at different times of the day and get a sense of whether the property feels perfect for you.
Condition Assessment: An in-person visit allows for a thorough inspection of the property’s condition. You can look for signs of wear and tear, assess the construction quality, check the fixtures and appliances and identify issues that may not be apparent in a virtual tour.
Neighborhood and Location Assessment: You can research a neighborhood online, but nothing beats experiencing it in-person. An in-person visit allows you to see the street, assess the proximity to what matters to you (like schools, parks, shops), evaluate the noise levels and get a better feel for the community.
Understanding Scale and Dimensions: Pictures and even virtual tours can be deceiving when it comes to the actual size of rooms. Walking through the property allows you to measure the dimensions and visualize how your furniture and belongings will fit in the space.
Personal Connection with the Property: Buying a home is an emotional decision. An in-person visit allows you to connect with the property and envision your life unfolding within its walls.
Due Diligence: An in-person inspection is part of your due diligence as a buyer. It allows you to find problems or concerns before you commit to a purchase.
Agent Interaction: An in-person showing allows you to ask specific questions directly to the agent, get local insight and build a relationship.
When and Why You Need Both: A Strategic Approach
The most effective approach to modern home buying in the US real estate market often involves strategically utilizing both virtual and in-person visits:
Start with Virtual Tours: Start your search by exploring virtual tours of properties that match your basic criteria. It’s an efficient way to narrow down your options and focus on homes that genuinely resonate with your needs and preferences.
Prioritize In-Person Visits: Once you have a refined list of potential properties, schedule in-person visits to experience them fully. These visits will help you make a more informed decision based on a comprehensive understanding of the property and its surroundings.
Out-of-State or International Buyers: For long-distance buyers, virtual tours are an essential starting point for exploring potential homes. However, if possible, a physical visit to your top choices before making an offer is highly recommended. If a personal visit isn’t feasible, consider asking a trusted friend, family member, or even a buyer’s agent to conduct an in-person walkthrough on your behalf and provide honest feedback.
Buyers with Specific Needs: If you have particular requirements, such as needing specific accessibility features or precise room dimensions, rely on virtual tours for an initial overview but prioritize in-person visits to confirm these crucial details.
Older Properties or Those Requiring Renovation: Virtual tours can provide a general overview, but an in-person inspection is essential for older properties or for those that need repair. It allows you to identify potential structural issues, assess necessary fixes, and estimate renovation costs more accurately.
Competitive Markets: In a hot real estate market, virtual tours can give you a crucial first look. However, scheduling an in-person visit as soon as possible might be necessary to get a competitive edge and to make a timely offer.
Tips for Making the Most of Both Virtual and In-Person Visits
To navigate your home buying journey effectively, keep these tips in mind:
For Virtual Tours:
- Watch virtual tours on the largest screen possible and in high definition for the best visual experience.
- Pay close attention to the floor plan, if available, to understand the layout and flow.
- Don’t hesitate to request a live virtual tour with the agent, allowing you to ask specific questions and direct their attention to your areas of interest.
- Take detailed notes of what you like and dislike about each property during the virtual tour.
For In-Person Visits:
- Prepare a checklist of key features and aspects you want to evaluate during your visit.
- If possible, try to schedule visits at different times of the day to observe natural light and neighborhood activity.
- Don’t hesitate to ask the agent detailed questions about the property’s history, utilities, any known issues, and the surrounding neighborhood.
- Take notes on your observations and impressions immediately after the visit to help you remember details later.
Conclusion
In the evolving landscape of U.S. real estate, both virtual tours and in-person visits are invaluable tools for prospective buyers. Virtual tours offer unmatched convenience and efficiency for initial exploration and shortlisting, while in-person visits remain essential for a thorough evaluation. They provide the tangible experience and detailed insight needed to make a confident, informed purchase decision. By strategically combining the strengths of both methods, you can navigate the market more effectively and find the perfect place to call home in 2025 and beyond.
