How To Find An Apartment In Arlington During The Coronavirus Pandemic: Guide For A Virtual Rental Search

The new coronavirus pandemic has put a dent on many plans, including those of relocating. With the stay-at-home orders and social distancing measure, the entire process of searching for and touring new apartments has become extremely difficult. But, not to worry, you can still successfully search for and "visit" an apartment under quarantine---virtually. So, how do you apartment hunt successfully (and safely) in Arlington without leaving your sofa? Here are some tips you can follow.

Zero in on neighborhoods

Using your computer or smartphone, start by searching the internet for neighborhoods or areas in Arlington that you are planning to move to, and doing a deep dive on those specific areas. Use Google Maps and Yelp to lookup local amenities and conveniences like restaurants, grocery stores, parks, and schools(if you have school-going kids). You can also use NeighborhoodScout to get information on crime data, demographic trends, job access, and popular neighborhoods within the county. To get a firsthand account of the neighborhood you're interested in, experts suggest reaching out to a local real estate agent such as Will Nesbitt who can help you identify neighborhoods that are desirable, taking into account all your requirements. Nesbitt can also help you identify potential properties in good neighborhoods whose listings include photos and virtual walk-throughs.

Use online tools to find an apartment

Some websites such as realtor.com let you search and find listings that fit your specific criteria. High-resolution photos of the unit and property grounds will offer you a good sense of the age, color scheme, and interior features. This will help you narrow your list of possible places to rent. From there, since in-person tours are considered unsafe at the moment, you can "see" the apartment through a video or 3D virtual tour to get a better impression of the inside of the unit. If the apartment you find doesn't offer that option in the listing, experts suggest you ask property managers or landlords if they'd be willing to film a walk-through of the place.

Send emails, set up calls, chat on video

Even when virtually searching for an apartment, you'll still need an actual person to answer questions that a 3D tour, video, and photos cannot. A quick phone call or video chat can help you determine whether the person you are dealing with is shady. It will also get you all the information you missed out on. Alternatively, you can let your real estate agent or broker help you home in on a rental.

Rentals in Arlington County

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Charity W.

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Charity W. is a professional and skilled writer with a diploma in Mass Communication. When she is not glued to her computer screen, Charity spends her time reading, traveling, and watching movies. She is an expert on Arlington Virginia and keeps current with local events and occurrences.