Questions to Ask When Touring an Apartment Virtually

When you need to find a new apartment or house to rent but are unable to visit a property in person, what can you do? While in-person tours are preferred for most renters, they’re often not the most convenient option. Luckily, this is where virtual apartment tours swoop in and save the day.

Taking a virtual apartment tour is a great option for renters making long-distance moves or even just local renters with scheduling conflicts. Rather than making the trek to schedule a tour, renters can enjoy the convenience of virtual exploration from the comfort of their homes. However, in order to make the most of your online tour, it’s important to come with thoughtful questions.

In this article, we’ll share the best questions to ask when touring an apartment virtually, including:

• Would you send additional photos of the apartment, especially of areas not shown in the original listing?
• Is there a 3D tour of the apartment available online?
• How is the cell phone reception in the apartment?
• Can you show me how much natural light enters during the day? Could you position the camera near the windows?
• How is the closet and storage space? Could you open the closets and show me the shelving or organizational features?
• Would you turn on the shower so I can see the water pressure?
• Could you show me the inside of the kitchen appliances, like the oven, refrigerator, and dishwasher?
• Can you walk me through the route from the parking area to the apartment?
• How close is the building to the nearest highway? Do residents notice noise from traffic?
• Can you give me a closer look at the grounds, including shared amenities like the pool, gym, mailroom, or outdoor seating areas?
• How close is the nearest restaurant and grocery store?
• What are some of the residents’ favorite features?

Would you send additional photos of the apartment, especially of areas not shown in the original listing?

Most apartment listings include attractive photo galleries showcasing the space. However, these photos don’t always tell the full story. In some cases, listing photos may be outdated or carefully staged to make the apartment appear more appealing than it actually is.

Before you begin your virtual apartment tour, ask the landlord or leasing agent for additional, up-to-date photos. Request candid, real-time pictures, not just the pretty, staged ones that you saw on the website. Be sure to ask for pictures that aren’t usually included in the photo gallery, such as a snapshot of the kitchen pantry or the cabinets beneath the sink. These details can provide a more accurate sense of the apartment’s condition and layout.

Is a 3D model of the apartment available online?

3D models are an incredibly useful tool for virtual apartment tours. In fact, they’re the closest thing you can get to touring a space in the flesh! A 3D tour offers a digital representation of a property, allowing you to see every nook and cranny from different angles. It mimics the experience of a real-life showing and gives you a better sense of an apartment’s size, dimensions, and floor plan.

If a 3D tour isn't immediately available for a property, don’t hesitate to ask the landlord or leasing agent if one exists. On Apartments.com, property managers and landlords can showcase 3D tours of their listings using Matterport, an advanced platform for creating immersive 3D models. To find these listings, simply search for apartments in your preferred area. Then, click the “Sort” button in the top-right corner and select “3D Tour.” This feature filters results to display only listings with 3D tours, allowing you to virtually explore properties before scheduling a video call for a more detailed virtual tour.

How is the cell phone reception in the apartment?

One thing you won’t be able to learn about from a listing is cell phone reception. During your virtual tour, ask your leasing agent or landlord about service quality and internet speed. And while you’re at it, inquire about Wi-Fi set up and other utilities as well. If you work from home, make sure to emphasize the importance of adequate service for your job. Poor reception can be a deal breaker, so it's best to get all the information up front before committing to a lease.

Can you show me how much natural light enters during the day? Could you position the camera near the windows?

Lighting is another component that may not be clear from an online listing. While gallery photos or 3D models might look well-lit and bright, this could be due to staged lights or photo editing. So, while on your virtual tour, ask the leasing agent or landlord to show off the space’s natural light. Take note of how well-lit they appear on screen during the tour. Ask them to position the camera near windows to get a better sense of lighting and any potential obstructions, like tall buildings or trees.

How is the closet and storage space? Could you open the closets and show me the shelving or organizational features?

It’s difficult to judge the depth of a space online. Though a 3D tour will help you gauge dimensions and size, it doesn’t hurt to also ask the landlord or property manager themselves about space. During your tour, ask them to open closets or storage spaces so you can get a better idea of the layout and organizational potential. Doing so will help you determine just how large that walk-in really is and if it can comfortably store all your belongings.

Would you turn on the shower so I can see the water pressure?

No, it’s not a strange question—well, maybe just a little. But if water pressure matters to you, don’t hesitate to ask. Like cell reception or storage space, it’s something you can’t easily gauge online. So, use your virtual tour as an opportunity to ask. If you’re hesitant to request a demonstration, simply ask the property manager or landlord to describe the water pressure. Is it more like a downpour, a gentle rain, or just a light sprinkle?

Could you show me the inside of the kitchen appliances, like the oven, refrigerator, and dishwasher?

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? 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? If you can’t tour a place in person, a virtual tour should answer these questions and give you an accurate gauge of your kitchen’s layout and functionality.

Can you walk me through the route from the parking area to the apartment?

The answer to this question will provide a lot of insight, particularly when it comes to apartment safety. You'll observe key details like the number of lights in the parking area, the distance you'll need to walk at night or while carrying heavy groceries, and the overall condition of the building's exterior and landscaping.

How close is the building to the nearest highway? Do residents notice noise from traffic?

While online listings will usually touch on proximity to highways and public transportation, it doesn’t hurt to ask about them on your virtual tour. If you have a car, it's important to know how easy it will be to access major roads for commuting or weekend trips. Additionally, if the building is located near a busy highway, you may want to inquire about any potential noise disturbances.

Can you give me a closer look at the grounds, including shared amenities like the pool, gym, mailroom, or outdoor seating areas?

This question allows you to better visualize the walk from your potential apartment to the pool or fitness center while also getting a feel for the community’s shared spaces. Are residents strolling with their dogs or relaxing at the picnic tables, soaking up the afternoon sunshine? Ask your leasing agent or landlord to point out all the shared amenities available for residents. This will give you a better understanding of the overall community atmosphere and whether it aligns with your lifestyle preferences.

How close is the nearest restaurant and grocery store?

Listings often highlight proximity to local conveniences like grocery stores or entertainment, but it’s always a good idea to ask about these during your virtual apartment tour—especially if they’re important to your lifestyle. Can you walk to a nearby market, or will you need to drive across town to restock your coffee? Don’t hesitate to ask about what matters most to you. For instance, if you’re an avid hiker, inquire about trails in the area.

What are some of the residents’ favorite features?

Tenant testimonials are often where you’ll find personal opinions and experiences about a property. However, these might not always be included on a listing. During your virtual tour, ask the property manager what their residents love about the community. This could provide insight into features or amenities that may not be mentioned in the listing description, such as friendly neighbors, a well-maintained pool, or easy access to local hotspots.

Take a Virtual 3D Apartment Tour on Apartments.com

Don’t have the time or ability to tour your dream apartment? No problem! With Apartments.com, you can explore properties from the comfort of your home using our 3D virtual tours. Forget the hassle of rushing to scheduled viewings or relying on static photos—our immersive virtual tours let you experience apartments as if you’re walking through them in real life. Start your search today and discover why 3D touring is the future of apartment hunting!

This article was originally published on March 26, 2020, by Alecia Pirulis.