Virtual Property Viewing From Abroad: What to Ask Before You Trust the Tour

Ask for one continuous walkthrough

Edited clips are marketing. Request a live or continuous walkthrough that starts outside the building, enters through the common areas and continues into the unit. Ask the person holding the camera to turn around, show ceilings and floors, open wardrobes, run taps, flush toilets and show the view from every major window.

See the building, not just the apartment

For an apartment purchase, lifts, corridors, parking, security, refuse areas, backup systems and common spaces affect the owner experience. Ask to see them. If the property is occupied, ask for evidence that the condition shown is current and clarify what furniture or fittings are included in the sale.

Use location verification

Ask the presenter to show the street approach and nearby landmarks. Cross-check the pin on an independent map. If location is a major part of the sales pitch—‘five minutes from Westlands’ or ‘walking distance to a mall’—test that claim at the time of day you would actually travel.

Separate the tour from legal due diligence

A beautiful video says nothing about title, ownership, charges or authority to sell. Legal due diligence should run on a separate track through your advocate and the appropriate government systems. Ardhisasa offers land-information and transaction services; the Estate Agents Registration Board can help verify whether an estate agent is properly registered.

Create a defect and question log

During the tour, number every concern. Ask for close-up photos afterward and written answers. For a completed property, consider appointing an independent professional to inspect the unit in person. The salesperson should not be the only person verifying the product.

Record what was promised

If a feature influences your decision—parking allocation, appliances, balcony view, completion date, service charge or furnishing package—make sure it appears in the appropriate written agreement or supporting documentation. Memory and WhatsApp messages are poor substitutes for clear contractual terms.