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A Guide to Virtual House Viewings

Posted on Friday, May 22, 2020

Coronavirus lockdown laws have now relaxed somewhat, which means it is now permissible to view a property in person. However, there are some restrictions in place, and the government recommends conducting a virtual viewing first.

Here’s some more information about virtual house viewings, how they work, and the benefits they offer.

What is a virtual house viewing?

A virtual viewing is usually one of two things:

-          A pre-recorded video tour of the property (which is usually found on the home’s ‘details’ page)

-          A live video tour, conducted via a smart device

Both offer the chance to explore the house or apartment that you’re interested in, without leaving the safety of your own home. If you like what you see, you can then book a second viewing in person.

How does it work?

A pre-recorded house viewing is easy to access. Usually, it’s a case of clicking the link online, then watching the video on a laptop, tablet or phone. If you’ve got any questions about what you’ve seen, you can email or phone the estate agent, who’ll be happy to answer them for you.

A live viewing is a bit different. Estate agents are now legally allowed to enter the homes that they’re selling, so sometimes they’ll be the ones carrying out the viewing. They’ll move around the property with their smart device, capturing live footage that you can watch in real time. Occasionally, the owner of the house may do the viewing instead, but the process remains the same.

The advantage of a live viewing is that you can request to see certain areas of the home again, and you can also ask questions during the process.

The benefits of a virtual home viewing

Viewing a property online offers several benefits:

-          Your safety is assured. You don’t need to set foot outside your house, until you find a property that you’ve got serious interest in.

-          You’re in control (with a live viewing). You can ask the person conducting the survey to show you storage space, a certain room from different angles, what the house looks like from the top of the garden, and much more.

-          You can review the footage again (with a pre-recorded virtual viewing). There’s no limit to the amount of times you can explore the house, so you can get a real feel of it.

What next?

If you’re interested in the property, the next step is to contact the estate agent to request a viewing in person. It’s important to note that viewings can only be attended by members of the same household. You’re not permitted to bring along friends or family members that don’t normally live with you.

The government also suggests that you avoid touching any surfaces. It’s likely that the current owner won’t be there, as they’ll choose to socially distance themselves during the process.

If, after the viewing in person, you’d like to put in an offer, the process is virtually the same as it’s ever been.