The Complete Guide to a Successful Virtual Home Tour

Ready to sell? There’s more than one way to show your home. There will always be a place for home staging and open houses in your marketing strategy, but prospective buyers will appreciate virtual tours to help them get a feel for the space before viewing it in person.

Why offer virtual tours?

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) Research Group’s Real Estate in a Digital Age 2019 Report, 44% of buyers start their home search on the internet – that’s why it’s important to upload images and videos that will make them want to view the property in person.

The online search makes it easier for buyers to compare properties and narrow down their choices so that they can use their time more efficiently. Offering a virtual tour can help your listing get into their final list of open houses to visit and increase your chances of generating leads.

COVID-19 also accelerated the adoption of tech among sellers and homebuyers alike. A May 2020 survey by NAR found that 35% of agents saw an increasing number of sellers offering virtual tours.

And these aren’t your run-of-the-mill virtual tours either. Redfin CEO Glenn Kelman compares these virtual tours to video games in terms of quality and experience, making use of 3D scans and other sophisticated tools for maximum effect.

That means that your competitors are going virtual – and you’ll be at a disadvantage if you don’t.

Types of virtual tours

• 3D tour
• Virtual home staging
• Livestreaming
• Virtual open house

How to create an engaging virtual tour

• Use a high quality camera – Don’t scrimp on your tools. To produce high quality videos, you’ll need to invest in the right camera. If you don’t want to buy a camera for this purpose, consider renting equipment or hiring a professional real estate videographer who already has the tools and software needed to produce quality work.

• Make obvious repairs – Much like getting ready for an open house, you must stay on top of basic maintenance by making obvious repairs. This will ensure that your home is in the best condition possible.

• Start with a clean canvas – Make it easier for prospective buyers to imagine the space as their own by decluttering and depersonalizing the space. Remove unnecessary items, do a general cleaning, and clear away your personal belongings.

• Use plenty of light – Pull back the curtain and turn the lights on to make sure that your living space is well-lit. This makes it easier for prospective buyers to see the finer details of the interior. It also makes your property more desirable since buyers are willing to pay more for homes with the right lighting.

• Show off every area – Prospective buyers will want to explore every nook and cranny of the property so make sure to give them a view of each area. This will help them decide if the layout and square footage is enough for their needs.

Ready to sell your New Orleans home? Reach out to Axis Realty Group, LLC today. Contact us here. You can also reach Nicole Marullo of ARG at Nicole(dotted)AxisRealty(at)gmail(dotted)com and 504.336.3000. We’ll help you nail the art of virtual tours for your listing.