Imaging and streaming technology have advanced to the point where video tours, floor plans, and other interactive exploratory tools are standard on most real estate websites. These technologies allow real estate agents to explore digital media to expand their client base without sacrificing firsthand experience and personal connection. Virtual tours are the latest interactive feature to appear on real estate websites, and in this post, we’ll take a look at some of the unique benefits of this new technology.
1. They’re the Next Big Thing
As a real estate agent, part of the value of your services is your ability to create and implement a successful marketing plan. These days, standard real estate marketing strategies incorporate digital marketing materials. Featuring virtual tours on your site is an elegant way to signal to clients that you’re aware of cutting-edge technological solutions and that your services include a versatile marketing toolkit. They’ll be impressed by your property listings and your marketing savvy.
2. They’re Interactive by Design
Interactive technology is fascinating by definition – audiences enjoy digital media forms that provide space for independent exploration. Virtual tours give your clients the chance to investigate a realistic digital environment – they’ll be able to visit each room, zeroing on details like light fixtures and artisan tiles, all from their own laptops. Virtual tours share another marketing advantage with video – they hold attention for minutes at a time, which means that audiences are more likely to feel invested in the interaction and more likely to take the next step in their purchase journey.
Using a tool like Viar360, you can transform a 360 viewing into an interactive open house experience complete with narration, walkthrough, and additional help text.
3. They Create an Instant Sense of Ownership
Establishing a sense of ownership is crucial to nudging clients towards finalizing the real thing. Virtual tours allow clients to tour the property independently, on their own time and at their own pace, giving them a sense of autonomy and personal connection. You can enhance and deepen this sense of connection by adding virtual tours to a suite of other interactive features – mortgage calculator, information about local amenities, IDX search functions – so that clients can use your listings to conduct extensive solo research. The more time and energy they invest, the more likely they’ll feel committed to reaching out to you with an inquiry.
4. They’re a Permanent Open House
Open house events are a big part of any real estate agent’s business, but they involve a great deal of work – scheduling, staging, long hours on-site, keeping track of notes, and contact information. Virtual tours allow you to digitize part of this process, keeping listed properties “open” and on display around the clock. You can also gather feedback on virtual tours by including them in social media and blog updates where viewers can leave questions and comments.
5. They’re Extremely Versatile
Virtual tours can feel like a time-consuming and expensive real estate marketing option, but you can incorporate them into a range of materials, including marketing emails and open-house notifications. It’s also worth remembering that virtual tours are not limited to strict realism. They also provide an innovative solution to agents representing properties that are not yet ready for move-in, including new and renovated buildings. A virtual tour allows you to show prospective buyers a finished, furnished interior – making it that much easier for them to picture themselves inside.
Virtual tours have been shown to attract more views and generate more leads than text and still images alone. Consider incorporating virtual tours into your digital marketing plan, so this innovative technology can give you a solid advantage in a competitive market.
About the Author: Real Estate Unlimited is a boutique real estate agency serving clients in the Los Angeles area, including the historic neighborhoods of Echo Park, Eagle Rock, Los Feliz, and Silverlake. Our digital marketing expertise and strong local connections combine to form an outstanding level of service for all our clients.
Want to create your own Virtual Tour? Grab a 360-degree camera and sign up for Viar360.
