What is a virtual tour? Explanation, benefits and examples
3D virtual tours for real estate marketing are a tool that allows buyers or future tenants to visualize a property in 3D, online, before visiting it in person. These tours are automatically created with FLOORFY and can be opened through a computer, tablet or mobile device with an internet connection. Being available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, allowing any client to visit the property when they prefer.
In this post we explain how virtual tours combined with other technologies (such as video calls and the generation of dimensioned plans) can give your real estate agency a unique added value, help your agents save a lot of time and can focus on selling or attracting more properties.
INDEX
3. Benefits of virtual property tour
3.1 Benefits of virtual tours for real estate agencies
3.2 Benefits of virtual tours for clients
4. Which real estate portals use virtual tours?
5. How can I acquire this technology?
1. Introduction
Due to the current situation in relation to COVID-19, the real estate sector has gone a step further and has opted for virtual reality, where 3D tours have become a solution so that sales and rentals do not stop during the coronavirus. *Article La Vanguardia 15/05/2020
Technology has undoubtedly become the protagonist of the business scene. In recent years, the real estate sector has taken a step forward and has opted for virtual reality which are now increasingly common. There are already many companies and professionals in the sector who use them and enjoy their benefits. In this article you will be able to see what virtual tours are and why you should implement them into your company’s portfolio - taking into account the economic, social and cultural context.
2. What is a virtual tour?
A virtual tour is a digital tool that simulates a real face-to-face viewing by means of 360-degree photographs. These are then merged together using a special software that subsequently allows the user to appreciate the aesthetics, colours and finishes of a property in an efficient and realistic way.
Below is an example of a 360º tour:
After understanding this technology a bit better, you may ask, what advantages can virtual tours offer myself or my clients? In the following section we will answer this question.
Below is a demonstration of how Floorfy works:
3. Benefits of virtual tours
3.1 Benefits of virtual tours for real estate agencies
Virtual tours make your work more comfortable and practical.
- Save time. One study claims that the physical visits required to sell a property can be reduced by up to 70% by using virtual tours as an initial filter among potential buyers. This method avoids many trips that would end up being costly and unproductive for everyone.- Differentiate yourself from your rivals and generate confidence. A property listing that includes a virtual tour will stand out above its competitors in any real estate portal, whilst simultaneously giving an innovative and reliable image to users that will make them more likely to be interested in the property.
- Be more visible to your potential digital clients. Internet search engines such as “Google” reward innovation and technological commitment. For this reason, homes with a virtual tour incorporated appear higher among the results of a search. Betting on the latest technology to sell homes is betting on the satisfaction of your potential digital customers.
3.2 Benefits of virtual tours for clients
- Don’t be fooled. It is well known that many of the images that accompany a property file do not reflect the true essence of the property, ignoring or overlooking details that can be crucial in the buyer’s final decision. With virtual tours you get a real and objective view of every detail of the property, without filters or secrets.- Enjoy complete freedom. Visit properties from your computer, mobile phone or tablet, no matter when or where. Once you enter a virtual tour, you have the freedom to choose where you want to go and how much time you want to spend browsing each room.
- Avoid unnecessary journeys. You can go through all the properties you want, virtually, with an immersion that is very close to the real thing. This will save you, in many cases, from moving to a home that may be completely different to how it looks in images. Without false and unrealistic expectations, unproductive visits are drastically reduced.
4. Which real estate portals use virtual tours?
Not all real estate portals currently support the integration of virtual tours. The leading real estate portals are:
- On The Market UK
- Zoopla
- Prime Location
- Place Buzz UK
- Love To Rent
Here are some tips to increase the visibility of a property in portals.
5. How can I acquire this technology?
To take these virtual tours, you only need a 360º camera, a panoramic tripod and FLOORFY app.
In Floorfy we have an app that will generate these tours, where your only task will be to take and upload the 360º photographs. Once uploaded, we generate the tour and deliver it to you. In addition, we offer you brief training on how to take 360º photographs so that you can get the most out of your camera. You can also check our blog which includes a step-by-step guide to create a 3D virtual tour here.
