360-degree virtual tours have existed before; however, due to the pandemic it has become necessary for people to practice social distancing making in person visits more difficult. It also gives off an efficient buying process since it is a different marketing approach. It has become one of the most effective ways for drawing in buyers.
This technology became very beneficial to every real estate agent as it comes with different benefits like saving time, saving funds, excellent investment, and more. Potential buyers tend to know how it would feel like living in that property, and 360-degree virtual tours are your solution for that matter.
However, the question is, how do you make the best and most promising virtual home tours?
Screenshot taken from Viewtech3D
What is a virtual house tour?
A virtual house tour is an incredible visual tool that simulates the experience of in-person viewings. Virtual tour creation is usually done using software that stitches panoramic images together. It also has interactive features that your potential buyers will surely love. For example, they can navigate around the property using a mouse or ASWD keys or click floor plan hotspots of any room to view it.
Here are the most common virtual real estate tours:
Video Walk-Through: This is the easiest option since you can record the property and share it on different platforms. Just make sure that the video quality is excellent. A video tour is often guided by the listing agent.
Interactive 360-Degree Virtual Tours: This is done by taking panoramic or 360-degree images that are stitched together. You will need a 360-degree camera and a tripod for this to capture the entire room. Unlike video tours, 360-degree tours can be explored by potential buyers independently. However, it could be a more expensive option.
How to Set Up a Virtual Tour on Your Property
With high-resolution virtual tours, you will be able to express even the most tangled ideas you have in your mind quickly. Prospective buyers will be able to explore the area from a more detailed perspective. Refer to the steps below on how to set your own virtual tour for your property:
Step 1: Choose the right equipment and software
Choosing the right equipment does not correspond to having the most expensive gear. A panoramic camera would be needed. You can opt to have something that is budget-friendly but has promising quality. Creating a virtual tour does not necessarily mean you need to be subscribed to a professional-level 3D tour creation software. There are software options for making a virtual tour available on the internet. It would also be best to partner with companies that offer 3D services.
It would be best to conduct thorough research regarding the equipment because the average cost would probably depend on it.
Step 2: Planning
After in-depth research, you can proceed to how you want your shots to appear. Start by examining each room, determining where to place the camera, and making sure that it captures all the essential details. Mark the area using tape, and it would also be helpful to fill in a preprinted shot list template or jot down each room in your image list.
Step 3: Staging
Now that you are set on where you will place the camera, you can start to freshen up each room by staging it. It would be best to remove any distractions coming in so the shots would appear clearly, and the viewer’s focus will remain on the room details. Ensure that the room gets enough natural light or correct lighting so there won’t be areas that will not be seen.
Step 4: Setting up the tripod
It is recommended to have the shots taken using a levelled tripod, so the images would turn out straight and uniform. Some tripods come with a built-in bubble level; however, you can download a levelling app on your smartphone if yours doesn’t have one. Adjusting the legs until the bubble is in the centre is the best way to level your tripod.
Step 5: Taking test shots
Of course, it is necessary to take test shots of each room on your image list first. It is to make sure that all the required details and features are highlighted. It would also be your way to make some adjustments if something is off in your shot. Make sure that your camera does not appear as a reflection. If that happens, change your camera’s location.
Step 6: Take the photos
Now that you are all set, you can start taking photos. Make sure to take as much as possible because it is always better to have many options than none. Review the shots first before moving on to the next area.
Step 7: Creation of the virtual tour
Once done with every step above, you can begin creating your virtual tour. Special software will be used to stitch up the images you chose. You can add extra features to make the tour more engaging. Elements like text, hotspots and music are recommended. Don’t forget to share it!
Do virtual tours work?
Of course, virtual tours work! Virtual tours are beneficial to real estate agents because of their accessibility, availability, and interactivity. Not only that, but it will also help you filter out browsing buyers from genuinely interested buyers, which means you get to save more time and money from physically showing each buyer the property. It also builds a sense of connection with the potential buyer since they can imagine themselves living in the property by virtually navigating around it. The real estate industry has become more competitive, and you don’t want to be left behind.
Tips to Remember When Setting Up Virtual Tours of Houses
Make your 360-degree tours impactful and indelible so you could get more buyers fascinated enough to see the property in person.
Tip #1: Plan and prep
Planning should never be neglected in cases like this; everything could go down the drain with one wrong move. Make sure to plan everything out, like cleaning out and staging the property to highlight its best features. Mark the best positions where you are going to place your camera, plan which time of the day you will take the shots, and switch on lighting fixtures for darker spots. Your 360-degree tours should make your clients persuaded.
Tip #2: Detailing
Viewers will never get enough zooming to get and see the details clearly, so it would be best to capture all the essential details in the property. They will be able to explore the place independently, and details like wardrobe spaces, finishes, views or gardens would really interest them. Make sure that the 360-degree tours feel like in-person showings.
Tip #3: Technology is your friend
Technology keeps improving as the years pass by, and so interactive 3D tours have become more common. It’s becoming easier and accessible since there are apps available where you can film the tour. However, it should not stop there. It would be best to partner with a virtual tour provider so you would be provided with complicated, high-end photography gear, optimized lighting setup, and high-tech equipment.
Tip #4: Excellent marketing strategy
Take advantage of the social media platforms, and market the tour as much as possible. Interactive 360-degree virtual tours are accessible once set up, which means more potential clients can see them. Other things like email blasts, video teasers, or Facebook ads can be done for promotion.
How much is a virtual tour?
The average costs of a virtual tour creation depend on the software and hardware you will be using. However, if you have a tight budget, free virtual tour software is available, but it may not give you the satisfaction you are looking for because of limited features. For real estate agencies, the virtual tours will more likely cost around $40 to $310, while for a regular property owner, you may prepare at least $30 for few virtual tours.
To conclude, if you are just a regular homeowner trying to sell your house, you won’t need as much money as real estate agencies since you can use your mobile device. Nevertheless, real estate agents may spend around $100 to $300 for 30 virtual tours, including a rotator and a 360-degree camera. But real estate agencies will probably spend about $300 to $400 since they will need high-end gear and advanced features.
It would be best to contact a virtual tour provider to know more about the pricing details.
Contact Viewtech3D if you’re interested in creating your own virtual house tours
High-quality, seamless virtual tours may be intimidating to hear because they may demand too much money and effort. However, companies like Viewtech3D offer different services, such as real estate video tours, that will definitely solve your digital marketing problems. Elevate your stakeholders’ experience by getting in touch with Viewtech3D.
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