If you are buying in St. John’s from another province, a live video showing should help you decide what deserves closer investigation. It should leave you with a clearer understanding of the home—and a written list of what you still do not know.

A quick tour of the nicest rooms will not do that. Before the call, decide which parts of your everyday life the house needs to support. Then build the showing around those decisions.

Send your questions before the showing

Pick three things that would rule the home out. Perhaps you need a separate work area, space for two vehicles or a straightforward route from the driveway to the kitchen. Explain how you plan to use the home rather than simply asking whether it is spacious.

Ask for a floor plan if one is available. Keep your furniture measurements handy. A wide camera angle is not a substitute for checking whether the dining table and chairs leave a usable walking route.

Start outside and follow your normal arrival

Ask to begin at the driveway or usual entrance. Follow the route you would take carrying groceries, bringing in a stroller or arriving with luggage. Look at steps, doors, landings and the place where coats and footwear would go.

For a St. John’s Metro move, make parking and winter access separate questions. Where would snow be stored? Which entrance would you normally use? What arrangements or municipal rules still need confirmation? Our winter parking and snow-clearing guide provides a useful starting list.

Ask for a slow, continuous walkthrough

Seeing how rooms connect can be more useful than seeing each room separately. Ask to follow the route from the kitchen to the bedrooms, bathrooms, laundry and any workspace. Request another look when the connection is unclear.

Discuss where furniture might go and which doors need room to open. If a measurement matters, arrange to have it checked. Do not turn a visual impression into a confirmed dimension.

Separate observations from inspection questions

A video call cannot let you personally experience the home. Sound quality, lighting and the camera can affect what you notice. An agent can describe observations, but a showing does not establish the condition of hidden areas or replace a qualified inspection.

The federal Office of Consumer Affairs describes a home inspection as a non-invasive visual assessment and notes that inaccessible areas limit what can be reported. Ask the inspector about the scope, exclusions and any areas that require further investigation. Keep condition concerns on a separate follow-up list instead of assuming that a clear video means a clear inspection.

End with a decision, not a vague impression

After the call, place the property in one of three groups: rule it out, investigate further or arrange the next viewing step. Record what supports that decision and what remains unresolved.

Before an offer, discuss the documents, professional advice and appropriate conditions for your situation. Our guide to buying from another province explains how the showing fits into the wider move.

Buying from away? Call or text Ryan Elliott at 709-687-7726 with your target move date and the three things your next home needs to do well. We can plan a focused St. John’s Metro search and a useful video-showing checklist.

Ryan Elliott, REALTOR® | Royal LePage Vision

Source reviewed October 8, 2026: Office of Consumer Affairs — Home inspections.