When you need to find a new apartment or house to rent, but you are unable to visit a property in person, what can you do? While in-person tours are the best way to find your next place to live, it isn’t always an option. If you want to move soon but can’t visit properties in person, you’ll want to start with an online search. On Apartments.com, many properties offer virtual and 3D apartment tours. You can sort your results to show communities with video and 3D tours (click the “Sort” button after searching your desired location). You’ll be able to get information about the neighborhood, schools, and floor plans, as well. This will help you narrow down your choices.
Here’s where the typical advice would be to schedule an in-person tour, but if you can’t do that, don’t worry. Call the property manager or landlord and request a FaceTime or Skype tour! While this doesn’t give you everything you might notice in person, such as noise levels, the amount of natural light, and water pressure, you can discover a lot by asking the right questions. What are the right questions? I’m glad you asked! (Well, I’m assuming you did. Virtually.) Here are some questions to ask when taking an online tour:
1. Would you send more photos?
You want real, in-the-moment pictures, not just the pretty, staged ones that you saw on the website. You also want pictures of things that aren’t usually included in the photo gallery, such as the kitchen pantry or the cabinets beneath the sink. If you are concerned about the amount of light in the bedroom, ask for pictures from various angles with the windows in-frame. You might be concerned about outdoor lighting, so ask for photos of the breezeway as well.
2. How is the cell phone reception in the apartment?
You can’t check this for yourself, so ask the property manager about it. This is especially important if you’ll be working from home for any length of time. Ask about the internet provider, as well.
3. Is there a space where I could set up a home office?
As working from home becomes increasingly common, you may find yourself in need of a workspace. It doesn’t have to be a dedicated office space – a cozy nook or even an extra closet would work.
4. How many pairs of shoes do you think I could get along the floor in the closet?
It’s difficult to judge the depth of a space over your phone, so questions like these will help you determine just how large that walk-in really is.
5. Would you turn on the shower so I can see the water pressure?
No, this isn’t an awkward request. Okay, maybe it’s a little awkward, but if water pressure is important to you, go ahead and ask. If you don’t want to ask for a demonstration, ask the property manager or landlord if they would compare it to a downpour, a gentle rain, or a sprinkle.
6. Can you show me the inside of the oven?
This question will provide you with terrific insight into the actual space of the kitchen (again, depth). Yes, you want to see the inside of the oven, but more importantly – does the door hit the cabinet behind it? Or is there still plenty of room to get around?
7. Could you open the refrigerator door?
This is for the same reason above – a better idea of the space in the kitchen. If you plan on sharing the space with a roommate or significant other, could you both maneuver comfortably in the kitchen at the same time?
8. Could you show me the walk from the parking area to my apartment?
This will show you many things. You’ll see how many lights there are in the parking area, the distance you’ll have to walk late at night or with heavy grocery bags, and you’ll see a bit of the exterior and the landscaping around the apartment building.
9. How close is the highway to the apartment building?
If you will be commuting to work or school, it’s important to know what your transportation options are. You can also ask about bus stops, sidewalks, bike lanes, and railway stations, depending on your preferred mode of transportation.
10. Can you show me the grounds?
This way, you can get a better idea of the walk from your potential apartment to the pool or workout room, and you can get a glimpse of the community’s common spaces. Are there residents walking their dogs or sitting at the picnic table enjoying the afternoon sunshine?
11. How close is the nearest restaurant and grocery store?
Could you walk to the corner market, or will you be driving across town to replenish your coffee supply? Ask about the things that are important to you. If you enjoy hiking, for example, ask about nearby trails.
12. What are some of the residents’ favorite features?
You’ll find that most property managers enjoy talking about what their residents love about the community, and you’ll be able to see how engaged the property managers are with residents.
At the end of your virtual tour, follow up with a thank-you email. In this email, you can ask any questions you forgot to ask during the tour, request a floor plan with exact dimensions to make sure your furniture will comfortably fit in each space, and ask if you would be able to submit an online application. Be sure to look up the apartment community on Google Street View and walk around the neighborhood virtually, as well. You should now have a good feel for the apartment and the neighborhood. Good luck on your virtual apartment hunt!
