Did you know properties with virtual tours get 87% more views when compared to listings without tours? Modern property tours have massive potential to improve real estate sales if implemented the right way.
Today, technologies such as VR and AI help create immersive property viewing experiences. Yet, most businesses struggle to create attractive virtual tours, despite the availability of technology.
Very few virtual tours meet user expectations
Though virtual property tours have been here for a long time, not every tour is designed to be user-friendly. Most virtual tours offer still images or plain videos that the users can’t interact with.
Some also don’t cover enough detail for prospects to thoroughly view the property. A few others have an inconvenient interface, while some others use poor-quality images. As a result, prospects need to contact an agent or skip the property altogether.
Nearly 63% of prospects are ready to buy a property without actually visiting it. As a property manager, you need to make sure your virtual tours meet those standards.
Virtual tours go beyond simple videos and images
Using technology, you can create virtual tours that give a realistic experience of visiting the property. Such tours don’t stop at panoramic images or 2D videos of the home but utilize virtual reality and artificial intelligence to make the tour a complete experience.
Depending on your requirements, you can use the following formats to design a virtual tour for your properties.
3D Floor plans
3D plans provide a more detailed view of the property. According to Rightmove, properties with floor plans received 30% more attention from prospects compared to those without. 3D floor plans also provide an accurate view of distance and square footage, something normal pictures cannot do.
Interactive walkthroughs
These are point-of-view tours that allow users to click on each room to view the images. These tours let the users explore the property at their own pace, from the comfort of their homes.
Users can also click on different features such as the floor or the ceiling to know more details about it. Matterport statistics say that 40% of home buyers found interactive maps highly useful.
Video call tours
Users can schedule a call with an agent who will show them the property through a video call. A study by N N Group found that users wanted expert guidance during virtual tours, something video call tours can easily fulfill. These calls are highly interactive, but might not be a feasible option for people who want to view the properties at their own convenience.
While these formats are the most popularly used, you can combine two or more of them to build your own virtual property tour.
How to design a compelling virtual tour
Virtual tours not only help home buyers view the property, but they also help you sell. The more interesting the tour, the more it will be viewed by prospects. You can design such tours by following the below-mentioned best practices.
Provide some form of interaction
A study by TIG Global found that the conversion rate of virtual tours was directly linked to the level of engagement it generated. Interactive tools let the buyers take charge of the tour and make it self-guided. Creating multi-directional tours instead of linear ones also makes it more interactive.
While video calls or guided tours are highly engaging, interactions needn’t always be with another person. You can include clickable features in a walkthrough that give images or details of the room when clicked.
You can also use an AI chatbot like RENTCafé CHAT IQ to guide the users through the tour. Such chatbots provide detailed information about the property and also clear any doubts the prospect has. Collecting the prospect’s details and finalizing the purchase is also easier with chatbots.
Include more than just the property
When prospects visit a property, they take a look at the street, the backyard, and even the neighborhood. You can recreate a similar experience through virtual tours by including the parts outside your property.
This is also an excellent opportunity to highlight any useful amenities in the area. Is your property near a school? Does the area provide a good scenic view? Include these in the property tour to attract more home buyers.
Be mindful of the image/video quality
The first impression of the property is created through virtual tours. When users take the tour, they want to see what the property exactly looks like. Images with poor lighting or bad angles can make the prospect feel negative about the property.
Choose the right time to get your property clicked. Use natural lighting and proper angles to make the images stand out. Also, declutter the property before clicking the pictures. Make sure that the apartment looks presentable and clean, as this can create a better image in the minds of the prospects.
Use suitable virtual tour software
You can create excellent virtual tours using various software. They reduce the amount of technical burden required to publish a virtual tour. Many platforms allow you to create virtual tours on the internet. However, not all platforms are the same. Some provide 360o viewings while others create full-motion videos.
Based on your requirements, choose platforms that allow you to combine more than one form of virtual tours. For example, you can use 3D floor plans along with interactive walkthroughs to create a detailed property tour. Virtual tour creation platforms need to be user-friendly, provide smooth integration, and have reliable support.
Find the ideal real estate tech solutions through Assetsoft
Want to find the right software to design your virtual tours? Assetsoft can help! Using state-of-art property management software like Yardi and MRI, we can help you build customized tools for your real estate business.
Our experts provide you with solutions that are compatible with your business goals while also being cost-effective. With Assetsoft, you can leverage the best resources in real estate technology effectively and see real-time growth in your business.
For customized software integrations, contact us at Assetsoft!