The real deal
Virtual property tours are a valuable marketing tool, says Rachael Cone of Total Realty in Christchurch. Here’s why.
At Total Realty we are often asked about an exciting and increasingly important aspect of modern real estate marketing: virtual property tours. I’m sure most of you will have noticed that over the past decade, the real estate industry has undergone a significant digital transformation. Technologies, like virtual tours, have become new and invaluable tools for effectively marketing and selling properties.
So how are virtual tours different, and what are the benefits of using them?
To begin with, virtual tours offer a truly immersive and interactive experience that sets them apart from traditional static photos or video walkthroughs. They allow potential buyers to remotely explore a property at their own pace and convenience. By providing a 360-degree panoramic view, buyers can navigate through all the different rooms, examine details from various angles, and gain a much better feel for the property’s layout and scope than could be provided by static images alone.
We think of it as an open house available 24/7 to anyone, anywhere in the world! Recent studies have highlighted the significant impact of virtual tours on buyer engagement and interest, making them a crucial element in reaching and engaging a wider audience.
The benefits of incorporating virtual tours into your marketing strategy can’t be overstated. Firstly, they lead to increased engagement and reach. The immersive nature of a virtual tour captivates potential buyers in a way that traditional images simply cannot. Virtual tours break down geographical barriers, allowing us to show properties to a global audience, including out-of-town buyers who might not otherwise have the opportunity for an initial viewing. This convenience for buyers is a huge advantage in today’s busy world.
Secondly, virtual tours offer significant time-saving benefits for both buyers and sellers. The traditional house-hunting process often involves numerous in-person visits, with the average buyer in New Zealand visiting 14 properties before making their first offer. Virtual tours streamline this process by enabling buyers to thoroughly pre-screen properties online. This means that only genuinely interested buyers, who have already gained a good understanding of the property through the virtual tour, will schedule physical viewings. This reduces the number of unnecessary visits, saving valuable time for both buyers and sellers.
Finally, virtual tours facilitate better visualisation and decision-making for buyers. Traditional photographs can sometimes be unintentionally misleading; rooms may appear larger than they really are. Virtual tours provide a more accurate and realistic representation of the property, giving buyers a true sense of the space, layout, lighting and flow. This enhanced visualisation empowers them to make more informed decisions about whether a property meets their needs before committing to an in-person visit.
As technology continues its rapid advancement, it’s becoming clear that virtual tours are not just a trend but are likely to become standard in the industry, providing benefits to buyers, sellers and agents alike.
At Total Realty we are always happy to discuss how we can further leverage virtual tours and other valuable tools, including being a Premium Trade Me Property Partner.
Maximum marketing, fair fees and real results – it just makes Total sense!
