How to Do a Virtual Apartment Tour

Finding the perfect place to call home isn’t always easy, and touring apartments in person can quickly eat up entire weekends (and your gas budget). The typical renter (73%) surveyed by Zillow in 2024 reported taking 1-4 in-person tours. Luckily, there are virtual apartment tours: Your ticket to exploring multiple properties from the comfort of your couch with no commute necessary. Zillow offers a 3D virtual apartment touring that enables you to view a rental from your home and get a feel for the space without any time commitment. You can start and stop the tour whenever you want and come back for another look (or three) at your convenience.

Here’s your complete guide on how to do a virtual apartment tour like a pro, plus a few insider tips to help you spot your dream apartment before you ever step through the door.

The benefits of virtual apartment tours

Virtual apartment tours aren’t just a time-saver; they can completely change the way you search for your next home. Here’s why virtual touring is worth a try:

• Time efficiency: See multiple properties in a single afternoon without spending hours in traffic.
• Convenience: Explore anywhere, anytime, with just a laptop or smartphone.
• Reduced pressure: Pause, replay, and rewind without feeling rushed.
• Broader options: Check out 3D tours of apartments across the country, even if you’re relocating from hundreds of miles away.

What is a virtual apartment tour?

A virtual apartment tour is an online walkthrough that lets you explore a rental without physically stepping inside. These tours are designed to help you understand the apartment’s layout, design, and features while saving you time and travel. Depending on the property or platform, tours usually come in two main formats:

Live virtual tours

Live tours are conducted over a video call with a leasing agent or landlord. This option is interactive, meaning you can ask questions in real time, request the agent to pan the camera to specific areas, and get a more personalized look at the space. It’s the closest thing to being there in person and is especially helpful if you want immediate answers about the condition of the property, amenities, or neighborhood.

3D or pre-recorded tours

These are self-guided experiences, usually presented as 3D tours of apartments with 360-degree views or detailed video walk-throughs. You can explore at your own pace, zoom in on features, and even revisit the tour as many times as you like. While less interactive, 3D tours are incredibly convenient for comparing multiple properties and narrowing your options before committing to a live visit.

What to look for during a virtual apartment tour

Virtual apartment tours make it easy to explore a property from anywhere. Each format has its pros and cons: Pre-recorded tours let you revisit spaces at your own pace, while live tours give you a chance to ask real-time questions.

No matter which format you’re viewing, here are a few key things to look for:

• Layout and flow: Does the space feel functional for your lifestyle, and does it seem like your furniture will fit in the space. Pay attention to how rooms connect. Use any included floor plans or room dimensions to help you imagine your furniture in the space.
• Lighting: Natural light can impact your mood and affect heating and cooling costs. Windows play a huge role in how a home feels, so check how many there are, whether they open, and what direction they face. 
• Condition of the unit: Even on video, you can often spot wear and tear — check walls, ceilings, floors, corners, and trim for discoloration or damage. These details may not always be highlighted in a virtual tour, so ask if you need a closer look.
• Appliances and fixtures: Find out how old they are, whether they’re in good working condition, and whether they’ve been updated recently. Modern, energy-efficient appliances can make daily living easier and save you money on utilities.
• Noise and surroundings: Even if you can’t hear much during a recording, keep in mind what might be outside the frame: Busy streets, shared hallways, or nearby amenities.
• Community amenities: Confirm that the listed amenities, such as a pool, gym, or rooftop deck, actually exist and are well maintained. These extras may seem small, but they often play a big role in your day-to-day experience.

Questions to ask during a live virtual apartment tour

A virtual apartment tour is essentially a guided walkthrough, sometimes pre-recorded and sometimes live, that lets you explore a property through video or 360-degree images. While virtual apartment tours can be convenient, you still need to be proactive in spotting details. These questions will help you get the full picture.

1. Does the layout work for my lifestyle?

Ask for the exact dimensions of key rooms. This helps you picture where your furniture will fit and whether the space's flow matches your daily routine. You may see that an apartment is missing a key feature (like an extra bedroom or office space) that could immediately disqualify it from your short list.

2. How much natural light will I get?

Request details on the number and direction of windows. Light impacts energy bills, mood, and how your space feels at different times of day. If you work nights, you may want a space with less natural light, or you could want an office that gets light most of the day. Make sure the space works with you and your needs. 

3. What’s the condition of the property?

Even through a screen, you can catch a lot about a property’s upkeep. Ask the person giving your tour to slowly pan over walls, ceilings, and floors, including close-ups of corners, trim, and baseboards where damage often hides. Look for signs of leaks (like water spots or discoloration on ceilings) and, if possible, ask them to open and close windows to see if they open and close easily, without making noise or appearing to stick. If you notice anything worn, ask whether repairs or replacements are scheduled before your move-in date.

4. Can I see all appliances and fixtures?

It’s easy for virtual apartment tours to skip over the less “glamorous” features, so be proactive. Request close-up shots or live demos of every appliance and fixture from the refrigerator and oven to the garbage disposal, washing machine, and even the thermostat. 

For bathrooms, ask them to check faucets, showerheads, and toilets to ensure they’re modern, functional, and free of leaks or rust. In kitchens, ask about the condition of cabinet hinges, if drawers slide out easily or if they seem to stick, and countertop seams. While you’re at it, ask how old each appliance is and whether it’s energy-efficient, as this can affect both your comfort and your utility bills.

5. How noisy is the neighborhood?

Noise can affect your day-to-day happiness more than you might think. During a live video tour, ask the agent to pause, mute themselves, and let you listen for a few seconds; you might catch the hum of traffic, dogs barking, or nearby construction. If possible, inquire about wall thickness, insulation, and window quality, since these all play a role in soundproofing. 

Ask about peak noise times in the building or neighborhood (rush hour, weekends, late nights) and whether any units are above, below, or adjacent to popular shared spaces, such as gyms or common rooms. You can also follow up with questions about building rules for quiet hours or guest policies. For extra tips, check out how to deal with noisy neighbors.

6. What’s outside the frame?

Balcony view? Parking? Laundry facilities? Hallways? Ask to see it all so you can get a sense of the entire living experience, not just the pretty parts.

Tips for a successful virtual apartment tour

A little planning goes a long way toward making your virtual apartment tours more productive and stress-free. Try following these tips to make the most of the tour and your time:

Pick the right time

Choose a slot when you’re free from distractions and your Internet connection is stable. A live tour moves in real time, so a dropped call or noisy background can mean missing important details.

Use a checklist

Create a short list of must-have features and nice-to-have extras before you start. Having it in front of you helps ensure you don’t forget to check something while you’re caught admiring the kitchen backsplash.

Request extras

If something is skipped, unclear, or just too far away in the video, ask for a closer look or extra footage. Good landlords or agents expect questions and will usually be happy to accommodate.

Save the recording

If the tour is recorded or available as a link, save it for later. It’s easy to mix up which unit had the big windows and which had the tiny closet once you’ve viewed a few.

Follow up after the tour

After the tour, send a quick email to confirm lease terms, building policies, and any fees. Having everything in writing keeps communication clear and helps you avoid surprises later.

See the space in person (if you can)

Barring a long-distance move where an in-person visit isn’t possible, it’s always smart to validate what you’ve seen online with a real-life walkthrough. Virtual tours are great for narrowing your list, but nothing beats the firsthand experience of standing in the space, testing doors and windows, and getting a feel for the neighborhood before signing a lease.

How to use Zillow to find apartments with virtual tours

Ready to try it out? Zillow makes it easy and convenient to find listings with 3D tours of apartments.

1. Head to Zillow’s rental touring tool
2. Type in your city or zip code
3. Click on More in the filter menu
4. Scroll to Tour Type and check the box for 3D Tour or Virtual Tour
5. Browse through the filtered listings, click on any that catch your eye, and start exploring in full 360-degree detail

You can even favorite your top contenders and revisit them later, saving you time and helping you compare options side-by-side.

Your next apartment could be just one click away

With the right questions, a keen eye for detail, and the help of Zillow’s virtual tour filter, you can shop for your dream space from anywhere and know exactly what you’re getting. The best part? You can cover more ground in a day than you ever could in person.

Start your rental search, check out a few tours, and see just how easy finding your next home can be.