3D Virtual Tours are fast becoming a staple of marketing a property. Aside from complimenting a new climate of ‘social distancing’, providing a contactless, interactive experience of a property over photos alone is the natural progression in a world where marketing has become so centered on having an impressive online presence.
A study by REA in April 2020 noted that 61% of viewers feel that properties with digital inspections make a listing feel more ‘premium’, and 62% felt more positively about the listing agent.
What is a Virtual Tour?
A virtual tour is a digital representation of a property. The difference between a Virtual Tour and photos or a video is that the experience is entirely in the viewer’s control; they can look in any direction, enter any room, and spend as long as they like exploring an area.
Andrea Williams and the team at Asset Reports use Matterport technology to create their 3D Virtual Tours – this market leading equipment creates a seamless experience whilst giving the viewer some additional controls not offered by other virtual tours:
Interactive measuring tools
High resolution images
The ability to view the property from overhead or ‘dollhouse’ view
The Matterport camera is placed on a tripod and positioned in various places throughout the property. The camera is controlled by an iPad app, which slowly starts to build up the model of the property by scanning 360 degrees and using infrared sensors to determine the position of each scan in relation to the previous scans.
Once completed, the Virtual Tour is shared via a website link that can be viewed on desktop or mobile devices. The tour can be embedded into online listings including REA and Domain.
Benefits of having a Virtual Tour
Accessibility
Widen the audience of potential tenants by allowing them to view the property at a time that is convenient to them – particularly for those that are working full time and unable to attend an inspection during business hours. Where only one partner or housemate can attend a home open, a Virtual Tour allows them to share the experience with the other members of their party so a decision can be made together.
Engagement
Domain.com.au reports that users spend 52% longer on listings that contain a Virtual Tour. Sharing the link to the Virtual Tour via SMS to home open attendees reaffirms their feeling of connection to the property.
Confidence
Having a higher visibility of the property gives potential tenants the confidence to apply, rather than relying on their memory or photographs only. Domain.com.au reports that listings with Virtual Tours receive 80% more enquiries than those without.
Planning
Virtual Tours provide a sense of scale and layout that photos alone can’t convey - it’s like a floor plan that you can walk through. Combined with the interactive measuring tools, a tenant can plan out how they will furnish the property and accurately determine whether their fridge will fit in the recess, or if the new rug they want to purchase is the right size for the space.
Minimal disruption
Pre-qualify tenants faster and avoid the need for multiple follow-up viewings, causing disruption to you or any existing tenants. A survey by REA found that 86% of viewers felt more confident to request a physical private inspection after viewing a Virtual Tour, compared to just viewing photos.
Future use
Once the property is leased, the Virtual Tours is kept in an archive and can be re-activated for future listings if needed.
Virtual Tours are more than just a marketing gimmick, they are a tool that can be used to make your work more efficient and enhance your relationship with owners and tenants.
