Virtual property viewings are a simple, swift and convenient way to conduct early viewing trips. Here is how to make them work for you.

Clever use of live video calls and virtual technology have transformed the way global real estate markets operate. Crucially, for foreign property-hunters, they give you the tools to do viewings through a screen and bag your perfect home without jumping on a flight. We zoom in and find out more.

Any overseas property agent worth their salt in 2025 should offer some kind of remote or virtual viewing service. Early adopters have been using 3D platforms and real-time video apps for years. After all, Facetime has been around since 2010. The ever-increasing versatility of mobile phones has been a game-changer, while the after-effects of Covid lockdowns have led to people generally being more capable and comfortable communicating remotely.

“We were still selling property during Covid,” said Mick Roscoe, managing director at The Property Shop in Spain’s southern Costa Blanca. “And that was pretty much all through virtual viewings. Today we do quite a few sales that way and increasingly find that clients expect it as part of our service.”

Real-time viewings

In broad terms, the term virtual viewings (or tours) describes viewing a property remotely over the internet without being there in person. This is either as a real time video call with your agent as they walk through the property with their camera (usually on their phone). But it can also refer to viewing via a digital platform that allows you to tour the property in a 3D environment using pre-recorded footage (or CGI for new-build).

It starts online

“It’s no more work than walking round a property with the person actually there,” said Mr Roscoe, referring to the video viewings offered by The Property Shop. “The other thing we do is make recordings of a property to send to clients. A common scenario is one half of a couple viewing properties and asking us to livestream a viewing for their partner back at home.”
Critically, virtual viewings should be treated as a useful tool that complements your agent’s knowledge and other marketing material. They work best if you already know the area where you wish to buy and have already done research and some on-line browsing.

“Typically, a client browses listings on our website and picks a few properties they’d like us to show them via video call or send a recorded tour,” said Mick. “Nine times out of ten they already know the resort and specific area they want to be, as well as the style and type of property. So we don’t need to find them the right area, it’s just a case of matching them with the right property.”

3D simulation

For new and off-plan properties, Mr Roscoe says he can video tours of a development’s show home or a comparable key-ready property. In addition, many developers use fully immersive virtual reality (VR) platforms that allow you to explore their un-built developments in a simulated 3D world.

It enables you to walk through virtual rooms, examine details up close and get a genuine sense of the property’s scale and spatial relationships.

It enables you to walk through virtual rooms, examine details up close and get a genuine sense of the property’s scale and spatial relationships. Similarly, augmented reality (AR) technology allows you to create simulations within an existing property – new-build or resale. It means you can try out furniture arrangements, experiment with different colour schemes, or even see how a space – both inside and out – would look with renovations.

Market conditions

The convenience and time-saving aspects of virtual viewings are self-evident, particularly for Americans buying in Europe or anyone buying in a long-haul destination. Making fewer trips during the property-hunt process also helps your bank balance as well as reduces your carbon footprint.

Meanwhile, fast-moving conditions, where properties don’t spend long on the market, can also be an incentive to take advantage of the immediacy of purchasing this way.
“Very often, people make their mind up more quickly compared to doing a viewing in person,” continued Mr Roscoe at The Property Shop. “When they think a property won’t hang around for long, they’ll ask us to do a virtual viewing as soon as possible and make a decision to buy or not. It’s a way of getting ahead of the competition and beat the time-consuming need to travel here.”

Use Google Street View to take a stroll round the neighbourhood

Honesty and flexibility

Trustworthy, transparent agents are even more valuable when it comes to successful virtual viewings. Honest feedback on the state of a property, both inside and out, should complement their video or 3D viewing.

“You need to be ultra honest about condition,” added Mr Roscoe. “Otherwise you’re wasting everyone’s time. Clients like to see the outside appearance as well as the interior, especially any areas that need attention, like painting or changing. They pay close attention to kitchens, bathrooms and the size of bedrooms.”
There is always the risk that a virtual buyer won’t be happy with their property when they visit in person for the first time. Ideally, some flexibility will be offered over deposit payment terms. A deposit refund might typically be offered if the buyer visits very soon after agreeing to purchase, such as within a week or so, and wishes to back out. “It’s only fair to offer a bit of flexibility,” said Mr Roscoe. “But a buyer can’t expect a refund if they leave it a long while after signing.”

The buyer was a British man in his 70s who had never visited the local area.

Just last month Mr Roscoe sold a detached house in Benijofar remotely. The buyer was a British man in his 70s who had never visited the local area. On the ground floor, the property includes a large living area leading to a kitchen and utility area, three bedrooms, two bathrooms and an enclosed front terrace. There is a terraced area at the rear and exterior stairs leading to a large solarium with enclosed seating area and fabulous views.

See more homes in Spain from The Property Shop here.

Beautiful Benijofar and the view across the plain to the Sierra de Callosa,

“He had been told a lot about it by friends,” recounted Mr Roscoe. “We sent him a pre-recorded video tour of the property and then followed up with a live video tour with him. After that he was ready to make an offer. Advertised for €189,000, he bought it for €185,000. It had been on the market for around a week only. He is putting the property in his children’s name for tax reasons.”

Final takeways

Undoubtedly a useful tool for buying property in a foreign land, key to virtual viewings is using a quality property agent.

Familiarise yourself with the area where you intend to buy and do your own research, such checking on Google Maps or StreetView and quizzing the agents and other local people. Chat through your plans with your lawyer and understand any repercussions or ways of protecting your interests that might come with buying virtually.