The average time a house is on the market is 38 days, but if you want to sell fast, you need to utilize the latest technology. Although taking high-quality pictures of a property for sale has worked in the past, we have even more options at our fingertips now.
Buyers love the convenience of 3D tours, which are gaining popularity in the real estate industry.
What are 3D tours, and why are they the future of real estate? Continue reading to find out all you need to know about virtual tours and how they sell listings faster.
What Is a Virtual Tour?
The COVID-19 pandemic caused massive changes in many industries, including the real estate world. Various types of technology appeared to help slow the spread yet allow people to still feel connected. One example is the use of virtual reality (VR) to create a sense of "being" in a space without traveling.
We've finally returned to some sense of normalcy, and house tours are resuming in-person. However, there's still a place for virtual technology in real estate. In fact, it might be the future of the industry.
A virtual or 3D tour gives buyers an opportunity to look at a home through a video tour. All they need is access to the internet and a computer, tablet, or phone.
What Are the Benefits of 3D Tours?
Anyone selling a home can greatly benefit from utilizing virtual tours to attract more buyers. Buyers can see the home from different angles and immerse themselves in the experience. As a result, it feels much like touring the home in person, but all from the comfort of their own homes.
There are many advantages for all parties involved when you utilize the power of virtual tours, which is why it's becoming such a vital part of the real estate industry.
Showcase More Detail
Let's say you're selling a property with a ton of details or features that you want to show off. Maybe it's the charming exposed beams or the granite countertops. Perhaps it's the way that the large windows let so much natural light into the space.
It's one thing to write about these details and another to show them off. Even the most experienced copywriter with a gift for listings can't compare to seeing the home in person.
Even photos can only do so much. A photo might show off a room from a certain angle, but it's difficult to get a feel for the size of the area. Buyers want to picture themselves in these properties, which means imagining different layouts and fitting their furniture into the home.
Using the power of video and 3D technology, it's possible for a buyer to view the home from different perspectives and see all the detail, from the floors to the light fixtures.
Buyers Can Take Their Time
Sometimes, buyers can feel rushed into making a decision and touring the home quickly. Having an agent present may make them feel as if they need to hurry. However, buying a home is a major decision that requires careful consideration.
A 3D tour is like a walkthrough that allows a buyer to pause and examine each part of the home in detail without feeling rushed. They can take their time looking at a room from different angles and "walking" through the space to get a feel for the flow of the house.
Additionally, it's always possible to revisit the listing later. It's easy to forget details about a property or to misremember something. In-person tours don't allow revisits without setting another appointment.
Virtual technology lets people go back and review the house as often as they want. They can even share the link with others involved in the decision-making process, such as family or friends.
Buyers Can View More Listings
Viewings can be time-consuming, from setting up a time that works for everyone to driving out to the location to walking through the home, and so on. Buyers usually only tour a few homes a day, which might mean they miss out on their dream house due to time constraints or scheduling issues.
Thanks to virtual tours, buyers can now click and play 3D interactive tours from anywhere at any time. No more waiting to schedule a time.
This also allows buyers to view many more homes in a day than they might otherwise have. It can give them a feeling of which properties they want to pursue further and which aren't the right fit for them.
Great for Fixer-Uppers
Sometimes, the best way to market a fixer-upper is to show buyers the true condition of the house. Maybe it's just a little dated, but with the right renovations, it could be brought into the modern age. If the home has good bones, a buyer might be more willing to purchase the property.
Additionally, if the home does need some work, buyers will appreciate being able to view the house in detail rather than finding out later that it would require more renovation money than they're willing to spend.
Virtual Tours Are Simple to Use
Virtual tour technology is very easy for people to use. It involves loading a 3D model of a home and clicking through different rooms to explore it.
People can go back and forth, look at the view through windows, go upstairs or downstairs, etc. Plus, people can look up at the ceilings, down at the floors, and even zoom in on key details.
A simple understanding of how to click and drag the camera view around is all that's necessary. Buyers of all generations can figure it out and navigate the technology.
3D Tours Allow a Preview of the House
Taking a virtual tour doesn't mean that a buyer can't also visit the property in person. In fact, many homebuyers choose to also see a house. A virtual tour gives them a good preview of what they can expect, aspects they can ask about, parts of the home they like, etc.
Providing virtual tours on your website allow people to find properties that meet their expectations and must-haves. It can be the first step in the touring process.
Buyers and Sellers Save Time
Virtual tours allow buyers to streamline the touring process, cutting back on the time that it takes to schedule appointments and drive to the location only to realize the property isn't a good fit for them. Not all homes are winners, after all. Before the use of virtual technology, buyers would have to spend this time regardless of whether the house would end up on the shortlist.
However, it also benefits sellers, as they won't have to waste time preparing a property for a tour only to discover that someone wasn't interested. Only buyers genuinely interested in the property will call to set up an in-person showing after viewing the virtual tour.
Individuals that are merely curious about the look of the home but not yet ready to buy can simply take a virtual tour without taking up an agent's time.
A 24/7 Open House
Think of virtual tours as promoting a home for sale 24/7. It's advertising that continues to work for you even when you're asleep.
Plus, the home is "open" to interested buyers at any time, so they may tour it whenever they can. This is a great solution for people that work late or unusual hours and can't set up an appointment otherwise. It also means that buyers don't have to take time off work to tour homes.
Brings More Website Traffic
Virtual tours are still a relatively new technology, and not every seller uses them. As a result, you can have an edge over any competitors that only use photos and descriptions.
Real estate agents that use 3D tours to showcase a home bring in more buyers, as it's a convenient and efficient way to tour a home. Having a virtual tour can result in more clicks and more traffic coming to your website. Happy homebuyers are also more likely to share your website and your services with any friends who might also be interested in buying.
Additionally, using the latest technology and software allows you to find new buyers and secure more clients. It streamlines the process, ensures you're not falling behind, and proves to your clients that you're the right agent for them.
3D Tours: The Future of Real Estate
As you can see, there are many benefits to 3D tours. It's no wonder this convenient technology is here to stay. By utilizing it, you're ensuring that you're staying ahead of the competition.
The use of virtual reality and virtual tours isn't new technology, but it's constantly evolving. You can expect to see these trends continue in the years to come.
To get started with 3D tours and to learn more about our other services, reach out to us.