How do you deal with cross-country house hunting?

So, I’m moving again. But this time the circumstances are a bit different and it is far, as in, 2,800mls far.

Now, obviously there are the usual websites, the listings are ambiguous, and of course the pics are small and always taken at the best spruced up unit. (House/Apt. dunno yet).

Jetting back and forth is not really an option either at this point.

Any experiences you can share? Any pitfalls and no-no’s I should know of? Oh, and I’m renting for now…

I’m just fishing for ideas, thoughts welcome!