How to Take a Virtual Apartment Tour

Whether you’re moving out of state, trying to narrow down your choices, or you’re just not ready to venture out (it’s cold or rainy or your slippers are too cozy), the ability to tour apartments virtually makes your search much easier. It truly is the next best thing to being there, and with all the 3D tours available on Apartments.com, finding the perfect apartment is just a click or two away.

From taking measurements to “walking around” the apartment in virtual reality (VR), you can get a full, comprehensive view of an apartment without ever stepping foot inside using Matterport 3D tours on Apartments.com. Isn’t technology amazing? (It’s also fun. I often take 3D tours just to see the floor plans and décor.)

Below are some tips and tricks on how to take a virtual tour, how Apartments.com can help, and what to look out for along the way.

Can You Tour Apartments Virtually?

Yes, you can tour apartments virtually, and Apartments.com makes it simple for renters to tour an apartment before ever stepping foot inside the unit. Many listings on Apartments.com include Matterport 3D tours, which allow renters to walk through a unit, view a layout from above, and measure the space directly from their phone or laptop.

Virtually touring apartments is becoming popular among renters. In fact, an Apartments.com renter survey from Q2 2026 found that 24 percent of renters consider a 3D tour to be most important when searching for a property online, making this touring option extremely valuable for renters looking for more unit-level information.

How To Take a 3D Apartment Tour on Apartments.com

If you’re interested in taking a 3D apartment tour, Apartments.com makes it easy to find units and apartments that utilize this technology. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to find 3D apartment tours on Apartments.com and how to use the technology to better understand the unit you’re interested in.

Filter for 3D tours

If you only want to see rentals that offer 3D tours, you can filter your search for properties that have virtual tours. On mobile, go to Apartments.com and select “Filter & Sort” at the top of your screen. Scroll all the way down to “Sort.” Tap the box and select “Virtual Tour.” Then choose “See Results.”

On a computer, you’ll see a button on the top right that says “Sort.” Click this button and select “Virtual Tour.”

Now, you have just apartments with Matterport 3D tours. If you want to narrow down your choices even more and just take tours of your top contenders, save the apartments you want to tour virtually to your favorites by tapping the heart.

Select a space to tour

Tap on a property. At the bottom of the photo carousel, you’ll see several options. One of these should be “Virtual Tours.” You may see several different areas you can tour. Open one and look around. Tap to move forward and swipe around to get a full view of the room, from ceiling to floor. At the bottom left, you’ll see four icons. Let’s explore what each of those do.

Dollhouse View

This is my favorite view because it looks as though you are peeking into a dollhouse. This is the first icon on the left (the one that looks like a three-dimensional box). This view will give you an idea of how each room connects, and the size of each room in comparison to other spaces in the apartment. If you double tap inside a room, you’ll “land” there.

Floor Plan View

You’ll find this icon in the middle – it looks like a backward “L.” Unlike traditional floor plans, this option provides a top-down view of the apartment. Use this view to get a better understanding of how far the bedroom is from, say, the living room or kitchen. Again, if you double tap on a space, you’ll land in that spot and you can resume the tour.

Explore 3D Space View

This icon looks like a stick figure walking and is an easy way to guide you back to the 3D tour where you can click to move around the space.  

Measurement Mode

Select the icon that looks like a ruler. This is a great way to get an idea of the actual size of the apartment, and you can make sure your sofa will fit along the living room wall.

Tap the “plus” button, and then press and hold where you want the measurement to start. You’ll see a red circle. Release and move to where you want to end the measurement. Click the checkmark and you’ll see the measurement pop up on your screen.

If you measure repeatedly, you can tap any of the lines you made to highlight it and display the measurement. This way, you can determine if your sectional will fit, without having to visit the apartment with your tape measure!

What is a Virtual Reality Apartment Tour?

When viewing a 3D tour on Apartments.com, three dots will appear in the bottom right. Selecting these dots will then open a menu, with the options “Space Info,” “Search,” “Help,” “Terms,” “View in VR,” and ‘View Fullscreen.” Select “View in VR” to view the apartment you selected in VR. You’ll need a VR headset, such as the Meta Quest 3, Meta Quest 3S, Meta Quest 2, or Meta Quest Pro. Apple Vision Pro will also work. Now, you can “walk around” the apartment (or even the fitness center) for a truly interactive virtual tour.

Taking virtual tours gives you a great idea of what to expect when touring an apartment in person. You now know the layout and the measurements of the rooms, and you were able to “walk” around and get a sense of the spaces.

What to Look for During a Virtual Tour

Taking 3D tours is a fun way to explore a new apartment, but there are some things you’ll want to pay attention to if you’re trying to determine if this is the right place for you. Here are some of the apartment features and 3D tour red flags to watch for:

The staging

Are you touring a model, or the actual unit? If it’s a model, it is most likely staged. A staged unit will have furniture and decorations that give the apartment an attractive, homey feel.

While it’s tempting to envision yourself in the unit as it appears, try to picture it with your furniture and décor. Will your sofa fit comfortably in the living area? Is there enough wall space for your artwork or shelves? Visualizing the unit with your belongings in mind can help you get a clearer picture of how well the apartment will fit your needs.

For unstaged or actual units, pay attention to the condition of the apartment. Look for signs of wear and tear, such as scuffed floors, chipped paint, or outdated fixtures. These details give you an idea of how well the property is maintained.

The apartment layout

How’s the flow of the space from one room to the next? Is the living area open and inviting? Is there enough counter space and cabinets in the kitchen? Is there an outdoor space?

If you’ll be sharing the apartment with a roommate, is there enough separation of living spaces to allow for privacy? If you work from home, is there a place to set up your office space? Make sure to examine the space as it relates to your lifestyle and run through the list of 3D tour questions you may have when viewing an apartment virtually.

Countertops and finishing

As you tour, look at the flooring, cabinetry, countertops, and even the appliances. Make sure they fit your style. If you are touring a model, know that sometimes apartment communities will show off high-end finishes in the model and your unit may or may not include those finishes.  So, if you love the granite countertops, double-check the unit-level details or call the property to see what’s included in the unit you’re considering.

Lighting and windows

If you’re touring the actual unit, note the placement and number of windows in the apartment. Make sure these fit your needs. For example, if you work nights or like to sleep in, you may not want three large windows in the bedroom.

On the flip side, an apartment with only one tiny window in the back of the unit facing a brick wall could make your apartment rather gloomy. If you’re touring a model, remember that the actual unit will probably offer different views, so contact the property directly if you’d like to know more about the specific unit.

Storage space

If you’ve ever rented an apartment without any storage space, you know how important this is!  As you tour, check to see how many cabinets are in the kitchen and whether there’s a coat closet, linen closet, or pantry. If there’s an in-unit washer and dryer, does the space include any shelving or cabinetry?  How big is the bedroom closet?

Community and amenities

If the property offers 3D tours of shared amenities, like the clubhouse or fitness center, or even 3D exteriors, these can provide a better understanding of what living in the community would be like. What type of equipment does the fitness center offer? Does the clubhouse have the features you’ll need to host your annual chili cook-off?

Benefits of Virtual Apartment Tours

Virtual apartment tours make it easier to find your next home, especially If you’re relocating from another city or juggling a packed schedule. Some other benefits virtual apartment touring offers renters are:

• Tour from anywhere- You can explore apartments on your time. No travel is required, which is especially beneficial if you’re moving out of state and need a place to live before you arrive.
• Save time- Virtual apartment tours can help renters avoid the wasted time of driving between properties and apartments in the same day, making it easier to focus on a place that fits your needs.
• See more options- Virtual tours and online touring can expand your search and help you find apartments in your area you weren’t considering before.

Online tours go a step beyond pictures to help you visualize the layout, size, and features the apartment provides. It’s another tool to help you narrow down your options and find a space that works, and you can do it all from the comfort of home.

Use Apartments.com During Your Next Rental Search

With Matterport 3D tours to explore and advanced search filters to apply, it’s easy to find a rental that fits your lifestyle on Apartments.com. Whether you want to search for an apartment by price, size, amenities, or pet policy, Apartments.com has all the information you need to make your next apartment search smooth and simple.

This article was originally published on April 1, 2020 and has been updated.