Technology is changing the way people search for homes.
There was a time when people had to rely on the in-person services of real estate agents, or maybe cruise nearby neighborhoods to find "For Sale" signs planted in front yards.
But the internet has changed everything. Now all you have to do is enter your search parameters in a website or smartphone app, and you can find homes all over the world.
And with the phenomenon of the "virtual home tour," you do not even have to schedule an in-person tour. At first it was a way to offer further value to home seekers. But in the midst of a pandemic, the virtual tour has come into its own as a crucial part of the real estate agent's toolkit.
Since they are here to stay, let us look at some of the many benefits of 3D home tours.
1. A Virtual Home Tour is Easy to Create
It is a common misconception that a virtual home tour is expensive, and takes a great deal of time and effort to establish.
This is the reason why some realtors are wary of the technology, even when they know of its existence. But the truth is, there is no need for expensive technology and camera teams.
There is DIY tech and plugins that anyone can use to create a virtual open house. Anyone can take 360-degree panoramic images, and use the software to stitch them together to create a virtual home tour.
While the new technology is easy to use, it can be quite daunting to think about creating these tours yourself as an agent while you are busy with your other duties. That is where companies like Hommati come in. Our professionals are skilled and have the proper equipment that is needed to create the perfect tour.
2. Best Way to Show Off a Property
There is no better way to show off a commercial or residential property than with 3D home tours.
These tours present properties in a more explorable and attractive light. An online open house also lets prospective buyers check out all the rooms in the home. It is a more organic way to explore a property—it is as close to being there without actually being in the home that you can get.
So a visitor to your site can navigate in a natural way, flowing from one room to another as they would in a real open house situation. This offers a lot more freedom for the viewer rather than a pre-recorded walkthrough video of the house that may not move in the same way a potential buyer would.
In a way, it is a lot like a video game, but in this case involving a potential home buyer exploring what could be their next house.
3. 3D Home Tours Save Time
One of the most significant benefits of 3D home tours is that they save time. The reason is because you do not need to stage a time-consuming open house event.
These in-person showings are important in their own way, but an online open house streamlines things and can distinguish the field of potential buyers between those who are serious. In some cases, buyers might skip an in-person showing altogether and use only a virtual home tour.
It can even lead to the unusual phenomenon of offers pouring in from buyers who have never toured the property in real life. This has been especially the case in recent years, in which the overstressed real estate market has caused some buyers to bid on properties they have never visited in person.
And for those potential buyers who would still like to tour a home, the fact that they have already explored it virtually indicates that they are serious and not merely curious.
4. Foster a Sense of Ownership in Potential Buyers
A big part of selling a home is trying to make a prospective buyer feel like it is already theirs. To make them feel that this house is a perfect fit for them—like returning home after a long absence.
This is the beauty of a virtual open house. The potential buyer can explore different rooms in the house and begin to imagine themselves living there. This can begin to develop sense of ownership and nudge the buyer into making an offer.
So, for a real estate agent, using a virtual home tour is yet another tool to help close the deal faster.
5. Better Return on Your Efforts
It is a simple fact that an online open house realizes a greater return on your efforts.
As an example, let us say that you receive a call from an interested buyer. They have seen your listing online, and they are intrigued enough by the images of the property to call and set up an appointment for an in-person visit.
This may seem like a success, but many times these "bites" from prospective buyers fail to convert into an actual sale. The problem has a lot to do with the fact that, while they were intrigued by the online photos, the property itself is not what they are looking for.
This is something they can only realize once they visit the property in person. After all, a home looks very different once you get a chance to see it and explore it for yourself.
This is where a virtual home tour can help. Once again, it helps to separate the serious buyers from the casual or the curious. And it helps real estate agents allocate their time more effectively, instead of catering to potential buyers who have no real interest in the property.
For buyers who have already explored the home with a virtual tour, they have a better idea of what to expect. This means they are more interested in this particular home, and are less likely to be disappointed by an in-person inspection.
In this way, a virtual home tour acts like a filter to cull out the indifferent or merely curious buyers, and allows you to focus your efforts instead on those who are motivated to buy.
6. Greater Audience Reach
One of the many benefits of 3D home tours is that they greatly expand your audience reach.
These days, many home buyers are from out of state. This means that their options for taking in-person tours are limited. In some cases it is possible for them to travel to the new area and schedule a time to tour the property. In other cases, they would prefer to explore the home in a 3D open house.
So if you are neglecting to use virtual home tour technology, you are missing out on a huge opportunity. For out-of-state or out-of-town buyers, it is the perfect way to explore a home without having to travel to do it. Instead, they can check out different rooms and spaces and get a feel for whether a home would be a good fit or not.
7. Get a Leg Up on the Competition
The real estate business is very competitive.
So any technique or technology that can help you stand out from the competition can make all the difference. Some 97% of home buyers are now using the internet to search for new homes, which is a record high. And to distinguish yourself in this competitive market, it is important to use 3D home tours.
The reason should be obvious. This new technology is easy to use and engages the interest of potential buyers. Soon, home seekers will expect virtual home tours and settle for nothing less.
8. Cut Back on Costs
Look, having showings all the time can cost a lot of money! Just think of all the driving to meet clients and show the home and what that means for gas bills.
And of course none of this time or money will necessarily translate into a sale. There are many reasons why a prospective buyer might not want to buy a home. The most frustrating are the small things that can be avoided with a virtual home tour.
Again, these online tours help separate out the unserious buyers and help you save on costs.
9. More Convenient
Part of the difficulty of showing a house is having to coordinate schedules. A virtual home tour eliminates this hassle. Buyers can tour a home any time they like, day or night, and do so with the click of a mouse or the swipe of a thumb. It does not get much more convenient than that.
10. Provide a More Realistic Experience
Finally, virtual tours now provide a more realistic experience. Yes, there is nothing quite like seeing and exploring a home in person, but a virtual open house is the next best thing.
The technology has become so sophisticated that visitors can feel like they are actually in the home. Information panels help to answer any further questions they might have. It is an immersive experience, and there is no question that it is changing the way people search for and buy homes.
Make the Most of 3D Home Tours
These are just a few of the many reasons to use a virtual home tour when selling a house. The technology is so much more sophisticated now, and it is very easy to use.
If you are looking to sell your home, you will need an experienced team of real estate agents to help you find the largest pool of potential buyers. At Hommati.com, our team has the skills and resources to stage virtual tours and set up 3D walkthroughs.
So contact us today, and let us see what we can do for you!