Mastering The Art Of Crafting Immersive Virtual Real Estate Experiences in 2023

If you're a shrewd real estate professional, chances are you've already dabbled in the creation of virtual property tours in recent years.

 

Although in-person property viewings have made a comeback, the ability to elegantly present your properties in the virtual realm remains an essential skill for any modern real estate agent.

 

In this guide, we will explore the advantages of crafting virtual real estate tours and offer valuable insights on creating tours that captivate clients and facilitate more successful transactions.

 

About this article

What is a virtual real estate tour?

The benefit of virtual tours

What Constitutes a Virtual Real Estate Tour? 

How to create a virtual real estate tour?

What is a virtual real estate tour?

A virtual real estate tour is a dynamic and convenient method that allows potential buyers to explore a property on their own terms. Leveraging video and 3D imagery, individuals interested in a property can navigate through it using a mouse or touchscreen, zoom in, tilt, or pan to scrutinize details.

Some real estate professionals opt to conduct live tours via video call services like FaceTime or Zoom, enabling them to guide prospective buyers through a property remotely and address inquiries.

While much of our discussion pertains to self-guided interactive virtual tours, the tips offered can also be applied to these 'live' tours.

The Benefits of Virtual Tours

1. Unparalleled Convenience: Virtual tours offer unparalleled convenience, empowering potential buyers to inspect a property at their leisure and from any location. People lead busy lives, and virtual tours provide a means to preview a property's features and decide whether an in-person visit is warranted.

2. Ideal for Long-Distance Buyers: Virtual real estate tours are a godsend for individuals residing outside the property's locale. They allow remote buyers to gain a sense of a property without the need for travel, whether they are buying from a distance or planning a trip to view properties of interest.

3.Tech-Savvy Appeal: A well-executed interactive virtual tour serves as a compelling draw for tech-savvy clients who expect on-demand services from companies and apps.

4. No Time Constraints: In an in-person showing, clients may feel rushed or constrained by time. Virtual real estate tours grant them the freedom to explore each room at their own pace, returning as often as they like.

5. Time and Energy Savings: In addition to saving time for your clients, virtual tours also save time for you. You no longer have to commute to every showing or invest time in presenting a property that a potential client may not be genuinely interested in.

6. Enhanced Engagement and Traffic: Sharing virtual tours can significantly boost traffic to your website, prolong visitor engagement, and elevate your social media interactions.

7. Potential Sales Boost: A study by Matterport revealed that, depending on the market, properties listed with a 3D virtual home tour closed up to 31% faster and sold for up to 9% higher on average compared to those without such tours. 

What Constitutes a Virtual Real Estate Tour?

While posting attractive property photos online is a standard practice for real estate agents, even the finest pictures have their limitations, often failing to convey the full spatial dimensions and layout of a property.

On the other hand, virtual tours leverage 3D technology and shifting perspectives to guide viewers through a 360-degree rendition of a property. Most virtual tours encompass schematics, floor plans, and a dollhouse view, providing a comprehensive overview of each room. 

Creating a Virtual Real Estate Tour

1. Assemble Your Equipment

Begin with the essentials – a camera. While a 360-degree camera or a professional DSLR is ideal, a high-quality digital camera or even a top-tier smartphone can suffice.

For DSLR cameras, consider acquiring a fisheye lens for capturing panoramic images. A tripod with panoramic photo capabilities, along with a timer or remote, can enhance your photography process. Alternatively, you can opt for a 360-degree camera package with a dedicated tripod or engage a professional to manage the entire process for you.

2. Configure Your Virtual Tour Software

To facilitate photo editing, ensure access to a capable computer with software capable of photo manipulation. Some editing apps are also compatible with iOS and Android devices.

For creating your tour, consider utilizing software programs like Matterport or Zillow 3D Home. Matterport, a popular choice among real estate professionals, delivers realistic, immersive virtual tours that immerse viewers in the property. It accommodates a range of cameras, from iPhones to high-end 360-degree models, offering features such as detailed floor plans, measurement tools, 3D tours, 4K image quality, and guided video tours. Once completed, you can effortlessly upload your tour to your website or social media platforms. On the other hand, Zillow 3D Home is a free option designed for iOS and Android devices, albeit with lower-resolution images and longer scanning times compared to Matterport.

3. Plan Your Photography

Before commencing the photo session, draft a shot list to ensure comprehensive coverage. Identify the rooms that merit emphasis and the optimal angles to showcase each one.

Begin the tour from the exterior, introducing potential buyers to the property's surroundings, the street, the driveway, the porch, and any other elements contributing to its curb appeal. If you are adventurous, consider capturing an aerial view of the property using a drone.

While most rooms can be captured with a single 360-degree photo, some may benefit from additional shots to enhance the virtual experience. Ensure seamless transitions between rooms to replicate the flow of an in-person tour.

 

4. Prepare and Stage the Property (or Explore Virtual Staging)

Staging holds as much significance for virtual tours as it does for in-person showings. The camera is unforgiving when it comes to flaws like streaky windows, and neglecting minor details can deter potential buyers.

If physical staging isn't feasible, several apps and software tools are available to execute impressive virtual staging.

5. Test Your Lighting and Equipment

Lighting plays a pivotal role in the success of a virtual real estate tour. While photos may appear excellent on your camera or phone, subtle imperfections can become more pronounced on a laptop or LED screen.

Inadequate lighting can drastically alter the perception of a room, often necessitating additional illumination compared to what would be sufficient for an in-person showing.

Consequently, it is prudent to experiment with lighting before initiating photography. Verify your camera settings to ensure they faithfully capture the lighting and color as perceived in reality.

Walk through the property to identify areas requiring specific lighting and how you can accentuate natural light. Be sure to open blinds and switch on lights ahead of time.

Additionally, check that your camera, timer, remote, and tripod are in proper working order before starting the shoot.

Create Your Tour and Start Sharing

Once you have taken and edited your photos and videos, you can upload them to your chosen virtual tour software. With quality software, the tour creation process should be straightforward.

With your virtual tour completed, it's time to disseminate it! Promote your virtual tours on social media, incorporate them into emails, and feature them prominently on your real estate website – make the most of this valuable tool.