Video tours have exploded in popularity in 2020. And for good reason! Video tours are a great alternative for buyers who are unable to tour properties in person (for example, buyers who are looking for a home in a different state or who have safety concerns due to COVID).

But while video tours can definitely take the place of an in-person tour, if you really want to get a detailed look at the condition of the property, you need to know what to ask your agent to focus on—and that includes in the living room.

A recent article from a realtor.com outlined some of the living room details that could prove tough to spot during a video tour (details you’ll definitely want to ask your agent for a closer look at), including:

• Where the living room is in relation to the rest of the home. The living room might look perfect when you first see it on video—but unless you get a full walk-through, it can be hard to judge exactly where your living room is in relation to the other rooms. Make sure to have your agent show you where the living room is in reference to the rest of the house—including any potential obstacles (for example, having to walk through a bedroom to reach the living room or a narrow doorway or stairwell that might be challenging if someone in your household has special needs). Ask the agent if there is a floorplan of the house, so that you can get a visual of what rooms are around the living room.

The living room is one of the most important spaces to scrutinize when you're house hunting. After all, that's where you'll unwind after a long day, share laughs with friends when you host game night, or find solace in a good book, curled up next to the fireplace.

But riddle us this: How can you fully inspect the living room when you're not even there?

As the COVID-19 pandemic has trudged on, virtual and video home tours have become crucial to home buyers. Technology allows us to feel like we're actually there. But there are some drawbacks—you won't notice a bad odor or noisy neighbors through a video screen, for instance. No, to get a complete picture of the space you're looking to drop a down payment on, you need to rely on your agent to be your eyes, nose, and ears.

• Flooring. It’s important to not only confirm with your real estate agent what kind of flooring is in the living room, but what kind of condition that flooring is in. Ask your agent to put the camera close to the floor so you can see any scratches or other damages; if the floors aren’t in the best condition, it’s something you want to know before you make a decision on the home or how much to offer.

• Finishes. During a video tour, it can be easy to get caught up in the size, shape, and staging of a living room—and not get a close up look at the finishes and smaller details. Ask your agent to zoom in on things like light fixtures, crown molding, and paint so you can get a sense of the style and condition of the finishes in the living room—and how much work and/or changes to those finishes would be necessary if you decided to buy the home.

The Takeaway:

Bottom line? If you’re using video to tour a potential property, it’s important to know what details tend to get missed on video tours—then ask your agent to zoom in on those details so you can get a better look and make a more informed decision about whether the home is the right fit for you. And that includes details in the living room!