If You Were A Jeweler, Could You Appraise a Diamond Via a Virtual Tour?

Carla, I missed the featured post you referenced. I will go back and read it. But, I don't need to read it to comment here. There is no way on God's green earth I would ever render my professional opinion on a property I have not been in, walked through and yes, smelled first. I would also like to see all reports, inspections and disclosures before rendering an opinion. Sadly, far to many agents list homes with nothing available, not even a preliminary title report. I hope the Feature police are at their desks today! 

One more thing ... if they want a value why not just put it on Zillow!!!!  ahhahahahahahahhhahahahahahahahah 

Carla, I've read the post.  Seriously?  What the heck. I'm shocked at how many comments suggest that it is a great idea.  It's not going to get the home sold ... it's a terrible idea. You are not missing anything. I'm on the same page as you. Great minds think alike. 

Carla - I'm with you. Context is everything in my market, and its hard to convey that in a virtual tour, no matter how great.

I LOVE the analogy, Carla.  I agree with you- it is exactly like trying to appraise a diamond through a photo.  Bravo, and Suggest!

Carla,

I saw that post and couldn't understand the piling on with of good idea comments. I chose to ignore it because I couldn't really see the value.

Rich

The BEST virtual tour and/or photos are generally meant to get you in the door to actually see the property.  But offering an opinion from a virtual tour only... bahahahaha 

Hi Carla. I read that post but did not leave a comment. I would not leave feedback if I did not view the property in person. Simple... really.

Smell-O-rama Carla? Hilarious!

Excellent analogy...I did not get the "marketing by virtual tour", as pictures are deceiving.  I also think that AR members just try to be supportive so they give a positive comment without really reading or thinking.

Eve

It is kind of like buying Vegitables on line.  I want to look at them before I pay good money for them.

Hi Carla, I don't think holding a virtual broker open should be the only way a property is marketed but it does get the property info in front of agents who would otherwise not see it.  Aside from valuation, agents can give feedback on other aspects including the MLS listing information, photos, etc...  Everything is marketed online now and that is how the majority of buyers eliminate and find homes they want to see.  Some buyers even purchase site unseen.  Agents should get out of their chairs to go see a property in person, I agree

Carla, agree with you 100%. I really like to preview listings prior to showing based on the fact that you cannot tell the quality of items from photos. A photo will not tell you that the new carpeting is the lowest grade with the worst padding put over the squeaky floor with the big bow in it and that it still doesn't cover the wretched odor of the cat pee soaked plywood. A photo won't tell you that the new cabinets were close out specials and that they feel like they will fall apart the second you open one. Oh, the new paint job?  They painted over multi-inch areas of spackle that were not sanded and now you have a lumpy wall with different tones to it.  Of course, the agent did not take a photo of the moldy wall and puddles in the basement.

Especialy if I have buyers coming from out of state that are looking at multiple properties, I try to go out and preview every one so we can cut out the time wasters.

Of course, you can't provide an opinion of value without knowing that the well and septic are good, that there isn't an in-ground oil tank with issues, the neighbors aren't Hell's Angels, etc.