The homebuying process usually includes touring lots of homes in person before making a final decision. But life is hectic, and sometimes seeing a home in person just isn’t possible. Maybe you have a busy schedule, you’re stuck at home sick, or you’re relocating to a new city. That’s why Redfin now offers virtual home tours — live video-chat tours with a local Redfin Agent, so you can see a home you’re interested in, no matter where you are.

But can you really see a house without stepping foot inside? This guide will help you know what to look for so you can start touring homes you want to see today.

What is a live video-chat tour?

Instead of touring a home for sale in-person, a home tour is conducted through live video chat with your Redfin Agent via your preferred app. Your agent will physically be in the home you want to see, but you can be at any location that’s most convenient for you. Using your phone or computer, you’ll be able to interact with your Redfin Agent as they guide you through the floor plan of the home, respond to your requests to pan left or zoom in, answer any questions you may have, and provide their detailed and honest feedback on the property. Your agent will carefully explain things that you are not able to experience virtually, like the sounds, smells, and general ambiance of the home. They will also point out flaws that are hard to detect through video, so nothing is a surprise.

How to request a video-chat tour

Once you’ve found a home you’d like to tour via video you can book a tour instantly from Redfin.com or on the Redfin app. Read the following steps or watch the video below to learn how.

Step 1: To book a tour, click the “Tour via Video Chat” button next to the home you’re interested in seeing.

Step 2: Select your preferred date and time.

Step: 3 Choose which chat app you would like to use for the tour. See below for additional information about app options.

Step 4: Once you submit your request, a Redfin representative will be in touch shortly to confirm your live video tour. You can schedule live video-chat tours for as many homes as you’d like.

Things to look for when doing a video-chat tour

Because you won’t physically be in the home while touring it, your agent will be your greatest resource. Not only will they be sharing their honest opinion about the property - pointing out unique characteristics and highlighting flaws - but they will also be testing different home features on your behalf.

Here are a few things to ask of your agent during your live video-chat tour:

• Open and shut the cupboards
• Flush the toilets
• Test the light switches
• Point out under-the-radar features, like windows that are painted shut
• Listen for noise levels inside and outside of the home
• Measure rooms, entryways, closets, etc.
• Test the water pressure
• Smell for any odors
• Explain where rooms/features are in relation to one another
• Share neighborhood insights and proximity to neighboring homes

What else should you make note of and which questions should you ask? To learn more, check out our guide: What to Look for on a Home Tour

Other things to consider

In addition to the home itself, don’t forget to consider the home’s surrounding area. If possible, visit the area or do additional research about it online. Try to understand the character of the neighborhood and if it fits what you’re looking for. Is it lively or quiet? Is there shopping and dining nearby? How are the schools and parks? Additionally, look at the home’s school rankings, Walk Score®, Bike Score®, and Transit Score®, all of which can be found toward the bottom of the home’s listing page on Redfin.com.

Picking the best app for your video-chat tour

Once your tour is scheduled, your agent will work with you to determine the best app for conducting the video-chat tour. With an iPhone or Mac, Facetime works well as long as both you and your agent are using Apple devices. If you have an Android phone, Google Duo is a great alternative that works on Android, iOS, PC & Mac.

Here’s a list of all recommended app options for live video-chat tours along with instructions:

• Facetime - Built into all iOS devices, Facetime is a simple way to make a video call if both parties are using Apple devices.(Instructions)
• Google Duo - This app is available on iOS and Android, and only requires verifying your phone number to set up.(Instructions)
• Skype - While it takes a bit more setup, Skype is available on iOS and Android and is commonly used on a laptop as well.(Instructions)
• Zoom - Again, with both Android and iOS apps, this app will work well, though setup requires an email and isn’t quite as user-friendly when it comes to a home tour. On the plus side, video quality is great.(Instructions)
• WhatsApp - This app is available on both iOS and Android. It works well but does require a strong internet connection. (Instructions)

What to do after the video-chat tour

If you love the home you toured on video, you can now either request an in-person tour with your agent to see the home and neighborhood, or you can work with your agent to make an offer.

How live video-chat tours will make your life easier

Video touring allows you to see homes in a way that is most convenient for you.

• Live video-chat tours are especially useful to homebuyers moving to a new city, who would otherwise have to drive for hours or take a flight to see a home.
• Touring virtually can often speed up the buying process. So, when the U.S. housing market is competitive and homes are being sold quickly, you can keep one step ahead of the competition and win the house you want.

While touring via video chat does make the process more convenient, it’s important to note that there are always unknowns in buying any home, which are magnified when you haven't toured the home in-person. If possible, we recommend you consider seeing a home in-person before making an offer.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What if the cell connection is too poor for a video call?

If your cell phone connection is too poor for the video call, let your agent know and they will make other arrangements or reschedule the tour if necessary.

Can multiple video-chat tours be done on the same day?

Yes, you can virtually tour multiple homes with your agent on the same day. Once you’ve finished your initial tour, your agent will give you an estimate on how long it will take them to get to the next house. Once they arrive at the next property they will start the video chat again.

Aside from the video tour, what other ways can I see homes virtually?

Using Redfin’s online 3D Walkthrough feature, a buyer can easily glide from room to room throughout any Redfin listed home, no realtor required. This virtual feature provides a high-resolution, interactive view from every angle inside a home.

3D virtual home tours are a great tool to help you prioritize which homes you want to see further. If you see something that’s a total deal breaker, you can cross that home off your list. If you like what you see, you can get in touch with a real estate agent right away to schedule an in-person or live video tour.

What’s the difference between a 3D virtual home tour and a live video-chat tour?

With a 3D virtual tour, you can digitally tour homes on your own through the listing page on Redfin.com. You control which part of the house you look at and from which angle - think of it like Street View on Google Maps, but for the inside of a home.

A video-chat tour is a live tour with your Redfin agent. Your agent will physically be in the home, showing you around through video chat. You can speak with your agent in real time, ask them questions, and hear their immediate feedback about a property.

Can the entire homebuying process be completed virtually?

Yes, it can! Homebuyers who use Redfin’s mortgage and title service can close electronically (known as eClosings); meaning prospective homebuyers can see a home, bid on it, and close all online. However, eClosings are only available in participating states (Texas, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Maryland, Tennessee, Illinois and Washington, DC). Find out more about how fully digital home closings work.