Apartment hunting can be stressful as you try to juggle work, tours, and more. However, add being out-of-state into the mix and it becomes chaotic. What can you do to make the move easier?
Use tools designed for remote apartment hunting such as 3D tours! Virtual tours are one of the key features to use when conducting an out-of-state apartment search because you get a comprehensive view of the property without having to be there in person. Make confident decisions from anywhere — 3D tours let you explore apartments as if you were there in person.
- The challenge of out-of-state apartment hunting
- Key benefits of 3D tours for remote renters
- How to use 3D tours to make a confident rental decision out of state
The Challenge of Out-of-State Apartment Hunting
Out-of-state apartment hunting bumps up the difficulty to a new level. You can’t just zip by an apartment to take a tour after work; you must plan weeks in advance. It’s not just scheduling that is a challenge; getting to the apartment is expensive. However, renting sight-unseen comes with its own risks.
When you rent without seeing the property in person, there can be a lack of transparency. The apartment could be different than what was online, the neighborhood not what you expected, or another unpleasant surprise. It’s not always possible to go see an apartment, especially for those out of state. That’s why 3D tours are so important as they help cover those gaps.
Key Benefits of 3D Tours for Remote Renters
Tour apartments anytime, anywhere
No matter what your schedule or location is, with 3D tours, you can tour an apartment anytime, anywhere. Is there a huge time difference between the states? No problem, 3D tours are always available, even at 3 a.m. Are you states away from the apartment? Don’t sweat it, you don’t even have to leave your current home to view a virtual tour.
3D tours help lower the barrier for apartment tours. As you can utilize them whenever it is convenient for you, it gets rid of scheduling conflicts or location constraints.
Better than static photos
Photos are a good way to get a preview of an apartment, but they only show you a specific view. 3D tours let you look at the apartment from whatever angle you want. Look at every detail and inch of the apartment with zoom and different recording spots.
The main advantages of 3D tours over static photos are that you can get a sense of the layout. You can see how each room flows into the other and walk through the floor plan instead of just seeing it.
Since you are virtually in the apartment with a 3D tour, you get a better idea of the size and measurements. The measurement tool allows you to see the exact dimensions and even measure specific places. Just like you can bring a measuring tape to an in-person tour to check if your furniture fits, you can measure on 3D tours.
Compare multiple units side-by-side
While in-person tours are great, one of the features that 3D tours are better at is comparing apartments. After just a couple of in-person tours, your camera roll will be full of photos and videos; it’s hard to remember which ones go to which community. Flipping through the photos and watching all the videos is time consuming, and there’s no easy way to compare them.
All it takes to swap between several 3D tours is a simple switch of tabs or even just putting two browsers next to each other. Look at the rooms of each unit side-by-side to see how the features and square footage compare.
How to Use 3D Tours to Make a Confident Rental Decision Out of State
3D tours are a useful tool when searching for apartments out of state but to get the most out of them, you need to know how to use them. Follow these tips on using 3D tours to find an apartment virtually to take full advantage of the experience.
“Walk” the entire unit — room by room
You can still walk through the apartment even if you are states away with virtual tours. Use the interface to take the 3D tour and look through each room individually. As you click on each recording spot, you’ll slide there, simulating as if you’re actually touring the apartment in person.
This is the time to look at the floor plan of the apartment and the details. Look up, down, and behind doors to ensure you don’t miss an inch of the layout. Get up close and personal with the details of the apartment with the zoom function. Check out the appliances, fixtures, and finishes so you know they match what you are looking for.
As you go through the virtual tour, pay attention to these features:
- Closet space
- Window placement
- Amount of light
- Flow of the apartment
Pro Tip: Compare the 3D tour with the floor plan to verify accuracy.
Note what’s missing from the tour
When viewing a 3D tour, watch out for 3D tour red flags such as property damage, skipped rooms, abrupt transitions, or rushed repairs. If any rooms are unshown, make sure you note that. It may simply be the water heater closet that they don’t want to show but it’s good to know what lies behind closed doors.
From your observations, make a list of follow-up questions for the leasing agent. Be sure to ask about any discrepancies you noticed as well as aspects that you may not be able to get from a 3D tour. Here are some good questions to ask when touring an apartment virtually:
- Are the windows east- or west-facing?
- Is this the exact unit or a model?
- What is behind the closed door in the living room?
- What’s the view like from the bedroom window?
Schedule a live virtual walkthrough
3D tours are a great way to narrow down your choices, but before renting, be sure to ask for a live virtual walkthrough. The landlord will walk you through the apartment in real time via video such as FaceTime or Zoom of the exact unit you will be renting. It’s important to see the exact unit you will be renting to confirm that it is what you want.
Use this time to request:
- Close-ups of hardware and appliances.
- Real-time answers about building amenities, parking, or mailrooms.
- Noise level demonstrations (e.g., outside windows or HVAC units).
Investigate the neighborhood remotely
Though you can’t investigate the neighborhood in person, you can still explore it online. To see what the neighborhood looks like, use Google Maps Street View to walk around the area. You can also learn about important factors such as crime, schools, and walkability through Walk Score®, crime maps, and school ratings.
Apartments.com makes learning about the area easy with neighborhood guides. The guides compile points of interest, transportation scores, rent trends, schools, and more in one place to give you a view of what living there will be like. With Apartments.com’s area guides, you’ll be just as knowledgeable about the neighborhood as if you went to explore it in person.
Read reviews
To verify the community is what you expected and that there are no unpleasant surprises, read reviews online. Don’t stick to just one site, either; check multiple sources to get a complete picture.
When reading reviews, keep an eye out for comments on management, maintenance responses, condition, and any hidden issues. If the opportunity arises, get in touch with residents who currently live there to see what they think. This will give you great insights into what it’s like to live in that community so you can make an informed decision.
Confirm everything in writing
Confirm everything in writing before you sign your lease to ensure you are getting exactly what you signed up for. No one wants the unexpected surprise of a hidden fee or a different unit. Verify this info with the landlord and get it in writing:
- The exact unit you’re renting (with floor and unit number)
- Rent price and any fees
- All policies (pets, fees, utilities, deposits)
- What’s shown in the 3D tour vs. what’s included in your lease
Search Remotely with Matterport 3D Tours on Apartments.com
To confidently find your next apartment remotely, use 3D tours on Apartments.com. It’s easy to find communities that offer virtual tours; click on the “Sort” menu and then choose “3D Tour.” Get key information about the unit such as measurements, layout, lighting, size, and more with virtual apartment tours. It’s also quick. Explore apartment after apartment in minutes with 3D tours on Apartments.com.
FAQs
Are 3D tours accessible on mobile devices?
Yes, 3D tours can be accessed on mobile devices. It’s just as easy as using them on the computer. Simply swipe to look around and tap to move to different spots. No matter where you are, you can take 3D tours on Apartments.com.
Can 3D tours help renters visualize furniture placement?
Absolutely! 3D tours have measurements so you can see if your furniture would fit into the space and where it could go. Since you step into the space with a virtual tour, you can feel out where your furniture can fit and the best placement.
