We’ve written a fair bit about how a virtual property tour can enhance your marketing campaigns. But as a fairly new (and constantly evolving) technology, you may understandably have some questions about how it works in practice.
In this post, we’ll answer the top virtual property tour FAQs, so you can learn more about this fantastic marketing tool. If you’d like to skip to a specific answer, you can simply click the question on the menu below to head straight to that section.
Table of Contents
- How are virtual tours made?
- Do I need separate appointments for photography and virtual tours?
- How long does it take to make a property tour?
- Where can I use the virtual property tour?
- Why should I have a virtual tour as well as property photos?
- Can you blur personal photos in a virtual property tour?
- How much do virtual tours cost?
- Am I tied in to more than one property tour?
- Conclusion
How are virtual tours made?
Today’s immersive virtual tours are created using special 360° cameras that scan each room to create a digital 3D model. It requires just one person to place the camera in position.
Once the scan has been made, the operator simply needs to move the camera to the next position to capture every part of the room. The data is then sent to an iPad where they can check that the scans align. This process is continued until every room has been scanned.
When the 3D model is complete, the virtual tour can be customised to add your branding, create a guided virtual walkthrough, add annotations pointing out key features and much, much more. It can also be used to make 4K print-quality photos, videos and animated GIFs.
Do I need separate appointments for photography and virtual tours?
Not necessarily. Many of our photographers are trained to carry out virtual tours, meaning that both services can be conveniently carried out in a single appointment.
How long does it take to make a property tour?
While it of course depends on the size of the property, you may be surprised at just how quickly virtual tours can be created.
An individual scan with the special camera takes only 30 seconds. To give you an idea of what this means for the average home (sized 2000 ft2 or 185 m2), you can expect this to be done in 50 to 75 scans. Altogether, this means it takes about 25 min to 38 minutes to scan a typical residential property.
Putting the final product together is done off-site. This is a fairly quick process, and the tour will usually be with you the next working day.
Where can I use the virtual property tour?
One of the great things about adding virtual tours to your marketing package is the vast number of ways you can use them. Here are a few ideas for where to post yours:
- The property listing on your website, helping to improve time on site
- Your Rightmove property listing (where some users will filter specifically for listings with virtual tours)
- On social media to help fill up your content calendar and build brand awareness
- On YouTube or Vimeo to help generate more leads
- In your emails to subscribers to promote the property
Why should I have a virtual tour as well as property photos?
Virtual tours offer an immersive experience that you simply can’t replicate with image alone. It is an interactive experience that allows buyers to look through the property in their own time while getting a real sense of its size, layout and scale.
They allow for easy secondary viewings and are available 24/7, making them particularly convenient for today’s modern buyers. Not only that, but including virtual tours on your listings attracts more views and higher engagement.
Can you blur personal photos in a virtual property tour?
Yes. We understand how important privacy is for your vendors and will happily blur any identifying items in the property.
How much do virtual tours cost?
The technology used to create property virtual tours has greatly advanced in the last few years. As a result, you may assume that they are significantly more expensive than the standard set of estate agent photos. However, you may be surprised at just how affordable they are.
Our prices start at just £50 (+ VAT) when ordered alongside another service or from £75 (+ VAT) as a standalone service.
Am I tied in to more than one property tour?
No. You are welcome to book a single tour to see how you get on. You are not tied into any contract and can simply book the tours as and when you like.
Conclusion
A virtual tour is a great way to enhance your buyer experience and generate more interest in your listing. We hope that this post has helped you learn a little more about this great property marketing tool, but of course if you have any further questions we’d be delighted to help.
If you’d like to chat more about virtual tours or schedule your first appointment, feel free to fill in our contact form or give us a call on 0800 773 48 28.
