Last updated on September 21st, 2025
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Finding an apartment for a long stay is tricky. You want a place that doubles as an office, feels comfortable and safe enough to live in for weeks or months (or even years), and that isn’t smaller than advertised.
For digital nomads and those moving abroad, this gets even more complicated because you’re often committing sight unseen. Thankfully, technology has made this process easier. With remote viewings, 3D tours, and interactive floor plans, you can filter options easily and quickly, cut down wasted visits, and even measure rooms without being there. But while they help, they don’t completely remove the need to double-check everything before signing. You’ll want a tight review process to separate a solid long stay from an expensive mistake.
How to Spot Pro-Level Tours
Before we go into things you should pay close attention to, let’s talk about the hallmarks of professional tours, because you should only entertain those.
You want consistent lighting and HDR stills that match the wall color in video. Likewise, a stable tripod-height captures, and floor plans with room-by-room dimensions, window markers, and fixed furniture shown to scale. Systems such as Giraffe360 advertise laser-measured plans with up to ~98% accuracy and bundled HDR photography, so use that as your bar for what “good” looks like, even if the provider is different.
With basics out of the way, here’s what to check thoroughly before signing.
Floor Plans
Words like “spacious” or “cozy” may sound great, but practically speaking, they tell you nothing. Instead, look for a proper floor plan, meaning one with dimensions marked.
Check the wall lengths, window placement, door swings, ceiling height; basically, all the stuff you can’t eyeball from pretty photos.
What if you really like the look of the place but the plan has no measurements? Ask for it. No, it’s not overkill. Most buyers wouldn’t even inquire about a property without one.
Check Dimensions
Wide-angle lenses can make even shoeboxes look spacious, so they, too, don’t mean much. To get a real sense of the size of the place, use the measuring tool if the platform offers one (and many tour platforms have them).
Validate the big four: bed wall length, wardrobe width, sofa + TV sightline, and desk space with knee clearance. If you want to go a step further, ask for laser-verified room widths and a close-up of the tape at critical points (door frames, alcoves). If numbers conflict between the plan and tour, treat that as a flag and request a fresh scan.
Light and views
Natural light matters, doubly so when you’re working from home. Orientation matters as well:north-facing units aren’t the same as south-facing.
You can ask for photos or a short video taken at different times of day to verify. And to make sure you’re not being served just the “best” view, have them pull up blinds so you see the actual view from all sides.
Here’s a simple trick: get them to hold a sheet of paper at desk height; if it looks gray at noon, it’s safe to say you’d be living in low light.
Finishes, Fixtures, And Other Boring Stuff (that Still Matters)
Grout lines, caulking, cabinet hinges; these can be more or less important, depending on your preferences or budget. But it’s good to be aware of how a place is maintained.
You can also check appliance brands and models, and later Google those for noise levels or dimensions. And don’t forget to ask for a Wi-Fi speed test on the camera at the desk and bedroom (or place you plan to work in).
Insist On a Guided Live Walkthrough
Pre-recorded tours are fine, but if you want full transparency, you should ask for a live tour. Give the agent a route: entry, hallway, every room in order, windows open and shut, water running, fuse box, balcony, and even noise from the street.
If insulation is a priority, ask them to put the phone on the floor and then on a counter: the change in sound will tell you all you need to know.
Neighborhood Due Diligence
Finally, the outside counts, too. Request the exact unit location (stack and side of building), not just the street.
Also, check walking times to a grocery, gym, and transit. And make sure you verify co-working options and mobile coverage; they matter when you work from home.
