Viewing a house is crucial before you buy it.
In recent years, visiting a house in person is no longer compulsory.
Technology means that virtual house viewings are a regular occurrence.
Let’s look at how virtual house viewings work in the UK property market.
What is a virtual house viewing?
A virtual house viewing is a showcase of a property that takes place online. You don’t visit the house in person.
Instead, you use a pre-recorded video – or sometimes a live stream – to get a tour. This allows you to look around without travelling there in person.
Virtual house viewings have become more popular in recent years. This trend was accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.
Since then, people have appreciated the opportunity to view a house without going there. It’s helpful if you’ve got a busy schedule or the house is far away.
A virtual house viewing will be either pre-recorded or live. If it’s the former, your estate agent will still join a call with you to answer questions as the video plays.
If it’s live, you can ask them to move the camera closer to specific details.
There are some things that a virtual house viewing cannot capture. You must keep this in mind.
Especially since so many things are subjective. This include:
- Ambience
- Temperature
- Lighting (the overall effect)
- Acoustics for sound
- Neighbourhood’s condition.
How common are virtual house viewings?
Virtual house viewings spiked in popularity during the Covid-19 pandemic. People did not want to leave their house or ‘bubble’ at the time.
In the present, virtual tours still occur. Although not as frequently as a few years ago.
It probably accounts for less than 10% of viewings in the market, but certainly more than 1%.
Steps involved with a virtual house viewing
Arrange a time with the estate agent
Contact the estate agent if you find a house you’re interested in. They’ll tell you if it’s virtual viewings only.
And if you prefer a virtual appointment, they may accommodate that, too.
You must agree on a date and time that works for all parties. Sellers will likely want adequate notice so that they can stage properties.
Ask questions throughout the viewing
Most experts will agree that you shouldn’t be idle throughout the viewing.
Be ready to ask questions about anything that catches your eye, or you’re unsure about. This is the best moment to do it.
Arrange an in-person viewing if you wish
Some people ask for a virtual viewing as a convenient way to see if it’s ‘worth it’ without going there.
If you’re impressed, you may then arrange to visit in-person.
Make an offer or walk away
Once you’ve viewed the house, the final step remains the same. You either make an offer or walk away.
It’s highly recommended that you get a survey done before completing. Not all problems will be revealed during online viewing.
Reasons to want a virtual house viewing
Speed and convenience
It’s often faster and more convenient to arrange a virtual house viewing. The estate agent can film the footage as soon as they want.
And this saves waiting for the potential buyer to find a convenient time in their schedule.
More people can tune in
If a buyer wants several friends and family to give their opinion on a house, this is difficult to arrange in person.
However, a video recording allows everyone to look and share their feedback.
You live a long way away
Sometimes, travelling across the country for one house viewing is impractical if you’re relocating for work.
Virtual viewings are the best solution – at least for an initial viewing (buyers may want to travel closer to properties before they make an offer).
Can a seller force a virtual house viewing?
Some sellers may ask for ‘virtual viewings only’. But even in this case, it’s your right to get a survey completed.
You can also walk away from the deal if you are unhappy.
Most experts strongly recommend viewing a house in-person before buying it. But you aren’t forced to do so.
Can a buyer ask for a virtual house viewing?
Yes, a buyer can request a virtual house viewing. Most estate agents will be receptive to that.
Especially if you explain the situation, such as living on the other side of the country. Some estate agents may refuse, though.
Does a virtual house viewing give me a clear sense of a property?
It depends on the quality of the video. That’s why you must ask plenty of questions. And you should always get a thorough survey completed, too.
In an ideal world, you’ll visit a house in-person before making an offer. This allows you to spot details that a video may miss.
