Using Online and VR Apartment Viewings: Best Practices and Precautions — Finding Your Ideal Home from a Distance
Online apartment viewings using video calls and VR technology are becoming increasingly common. While you can search for apartments without visiting the property in person, there are certain details that are harder to notice through online viewings. This guide explains how to use these tools effectively and what to watch out for.
In the past, apartment hunting meant visiting each potential property in person to see it. Recently, however, real-time video call viewings and VR (virtual reality) 360-degree viewings have become increasingly popular, making it easier to search for apartments from a distance. The ability to narrow down options without being able to visit the area in person — whether due to relocation for school, work transfer, or job change — is a major advancement. However, online viewings do have limitations when it comes to information that's difficult to assess on a screen. This article explains how online apartment viewings work, how to use them effectively, and what criteria should guide your decisions when combined with in-person verification.
There are two main types of online apartment viewings.
Real-Time Video Call Viewings
A real estate agent's staff member films the property using a smartphone or tablet while guiding you through a video call (such as Zoom or LINE). The key advantage is that you can make requests in real time — for example, asking to see under the sink or to check the view from the window.
VR and 360-Degree Video Viewings
This format lets you view 360-degree footage shot with a specialized camera on your PC or smartphone at your own pace. You can review specific areas as many times as you like with no time constraints. While a VR headset offers a more immersive experience, the footage is also accessible through a standard web browser.
What You Can Verify Through Online Viewings
You can reliably verify the following aspects through online viewings.
Sense of Room Size and Layout
Video footage can supplement floor plan numbers by showing ceiling height, storage depth, and kitchen size — details that are hard to grasp from drawings alone. Asking staff to stand with their feet apart or to measure the refrigerator space can help you get a more concrete sense of dimensions.
Natural Lighting Patterns
You can assess how sunlight enters the room during the viewing time through video. However, note that without footage from both morning and afternoon, you won't get a complete picture of the natural lighting throughout the day.
Equipment and Fixtures
You can verify the type of stove, air conditioner placement, washing machine space dimensions, and bathroom features through video. Having staff demonstrate how equipment operates can help you assess its condition.
Visual Verification of Surrounding Area
You can verify the external environment by asking staff to show you the entrance, bicycle parking, garbage area, and nearby streets.
What's Difficult to Assess Through Online Viewings
While online viewings are convenient, certain information is harder to pick up without visiting in person.
Odors and Humidity
Older properties may have mold or distinctive odors, which you cannot detect through video. Online viewings alone won't tell you about these issues.
Actual Noise Levels
For properties along busy roads or near train tracks, noise level is a critical factor. Through video, microphone sensitivity can make actual noise seem quieter than it really is.
Building Vibration and Movement
Properties near roads with frequent heavy vehicles or in areas with soft soil may experience vibration. This is something you typically only notice by being there in person.
Noise from Neighboring Units and Floors
Static video footage cannot capture the sounds of neighbors' everyday activities during occupancy.
How to Use Online Viewings Effectively
Organize Your Priorities in Advance
Video call viewings are often time-limited, so prepare a list of things you want to check beforehand. Prioritize features that matter most to you — such as outlet locations, storage height, or whether there's a bathroom dryer.
Request Permission to Record the Video
Video call viewings typically happen only once, so ask for permission to record. Reviewing the footage later is helpful, especially when comparing multiple properties.
Narrow Down to 3-4 Candidates Before Viewing
While VR viewings let you easily browse many properties, too much information can make it hard to decide. It's more efficient to first narrow down by criteria, then use online viewings for your final candidates.
Combine Online Viewings with In-Person Visits Whenever Possible
Use online viewings to narrow down your candidates, but ideally visit your final choice in person before signing a lease. We especially recommend not skipping in-person verification for locations where noise or odors might be concerns — such as along major roads or in areas with many restaurants.
Example: Using Online Viewings for a Long-Distance Move
When relocating for school or work to a distant location, you may not have time to visit beforehand. Here's an effective approach for this situation:
Identify multiple candidate properties based on your preferences
Use VR and video call viewings to narrow down to 3-4 options
Make a final decision during an in-person visit (such as around your move-in date or school opening)
If an in-person visit isn't feasible, ask a trusted family member or friend to view the property on your behalf
When asking someone to view the property for you, provide them with a checklist of things to check. This ensures all necessary information is gathered.
Summary
Online apartment viewings are an excellent way to search for properties beyond geographical and time constraints. Video call viewings allow you to request real-time information, while VR viewings let you review footage at your own pace. However, sensory details like odors, noise, and vibration — information that requires being physically present — are difficult to assess on screen. For your final decision, combine online viewings with an in-person visit. By using these tools effectively, you can conduct an efficient and satisfying apartment search.
Many people are unsure where to start when searching for an apartment to rent. This guide walks you through each step of the process: property search, viewings, applications, screening, contract signing, and moving day.
