A Realtor’s Guide to Setting Up Virtual Tours

Virtual tours have become an indispensable tool for realtors looking to showcase properties to potential buyers worldwide. By offering immersive, interactive experiences, virtual tours allow prospective buyers to explore properties as if they were there in person even if they are shopping from half a world away, leading to increased engagement and faster sales. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to set up virtual tours for the properties you’re trying to sell.

Step 1: Choose a Virtual Tour Platform

Several virtual tour platforms are available, each offering unique features and capabilities. Research different platforms to find one that best suits your needs and budget. Some popular options include:

Matterport

Known for its high-quality 3D tours and interactive floor plans.

True 3D Model

Creates an actual 3D model of the space, allowing for detailed visualization and analysis.

Floor Plans

Offers the option to generate a 2D black and white floor plan.

High Quality

Provides high-resolution and detailed virtual tours when using professional equipment and photography.

Integration

Tours can be automatically syndicated to Realtor.com and embedded anywhere on the internet using a shareable link or code.

Photo Extraction

Allows for extraction of high-resolution 2D photos directly from the 3D scans.

Cons

Cost

Professional shoots are expensive compared to other options, and the required equipment and hosting fees add to the cost.

Time-Consuming

Capturing extensive details like room measurements makes the shooting process lengthy.

Platform Restrictions

Cannot share tours on Zillow, limiting exposure on this major real estate platform.

Zillow 3D Home

Integrates with the Zillow platform, making it easy to reach a large audience.

Pros

Visibility

Tours automatically appear on Zillow and Trulia, boosting the listing’s search rankings on these platforms.

Affordability

More cost-effective and quicker to shoot than some competitors, like Matterport.

No Hosting Fees

Zillow does not charge any fees to host the tours.

Wide Sharing Capability

Tours can be embedded and shared widely across the internet, including MLS and social media platforms.

Cons

Not Truly 3D

Tours are made from stitched panorama images, not offering a true 3D experience.

Lower Quality

The tours and image quality are generally of lower quality than what you can get from some of their competitors. 

No Floor Plans

It does not provide an option to create a 2D floor plan.

Limited Editing

Very restricted editing options once a tour is published.

Limited Integrations

The output is optimized for Zillow’s website and does not work as readily on other platforms.

RealVision

Offers customizable virtual tour solutions with branding options for real estate professionals.

Pros

Cost-Effective

More affordable than Matterport, with flexible pricing plans and no requirement for specific hardware.

Camera Flexibility

Can use a variety of DSLR cameras to capture images for the tour, allowing for more control over image quality and budget.

Easy Integration

Easy to integrate with MLS listings and websites, providing straightforward embed codes that work across platforms.

Tour Customization

Offers more options to customize tours. Customers can white label their technology, and RealVision is willing to modify their software for individual user needs provided the user can afford their consulting fees. Of course, unless you are a very sizeable player in your own right, this might not matter much to you.

Cons

Lesser Known

It is not as widely recognized as Matterport, which might affect client perception and the reach of the tours.

Variable Quality

The quality of the tour can vary significantly depending on the camera used and the photographer’s skill, potentially leading to inconsistency.

Fewer Features

Lacks some of the advanced features of Matterport, such as 3D mesh creation and automatic schematic floor plan generation.

Tech Support

Users may find less robust customer support and fewer online resources compared to Matterport.

Step 2: Prepare the Property

Before creating a virtual tour, ensure that the property is clean, decluttered, and staged to maximize its appeal. Consider hiring a professional photographer or videographer to capture high-quality images and footage of the property. Pay attention to lighting and angles to display the property in the best possible way. Read here to learn more about staging: Kukun’s professional house-staging guide for a successful sale.

Step 3: Capture the Virtual Tour

Once the property is ready, it’s time to capture the virtual tour. Depending on the platform you’ve chosen, this may involve using a 360-degree camera or a smartphone equipped with the necessary software. Follow the platform’s guidelines for capturing images or footage of each room and any outdoor spaces.

Step 4: Create the Tour

After capturing the necessary images or footage, upload them to the virtual tour platform and follow the instructions to create the tour. Most platforms offer intuitive interfaces that allow you to easily stitch together images, add interactive features such as hotspots and annotations, and customize the tour to match your branding.

Step 5: Add Descriptions and Details

Enhance the virtual tour by adding descriptions and details about each room and feature of the property. Highlight key selling points, such as upgraded appliances, hardwood floors, or a spacious backyard. Providing detailed information will help potential buyers better understand the property and make informed decisions.

Step 6: Share the Virtual Tour

Once the virtual tour is complete, it’s time to share it with potential buyers. Embed the tour on your website, share it on social media, and include it in property listings on real estate portals such as Zillow, Realtor.com, and MLS. Consider sending the tour to interested buyers via email or text message for a more personalized touch.

Step 7: Engage with Potential Buyers

As potential buyers explore the virtual tour, be proactive in engaging with them and answering any questions they may have. Consider hosting virtual open houses or private tours where buyers can interact with you in real time and ask questions about the property. Providing exceptional customer service will help build trust and increase the likelihood of a successful sale. Of course, one advantage of a virtual tour is that you don’t have to be present the whole time, but supplementing your virtual tour with live events will help.

Virtual tours offer realtors a powerful way to showcase properties and attract potential buyers in today’s digital marketplace. By following these steps, you can create engaging, immersive experiences that drive interest and ultimately lead to successful sales.

Franklin Carroll

Franklin Carroll is Kukun's VP of Modelling and Analytics; After finishing his studies at the University of Chicago, he worked at Fannie Mae where he helped build Collateral Underwriter, roll out the Value Verify initiative, and specialized in collateral related and credit related policy.

Published May 28, 2024