8 Tips for Creating Engaging Virtual Real Estate Tours

First impressions matter, and for many properties, that comes in the form of an online listing. Buyers are spoilt for choice in today’s real estate market, and want to fall in love at first sight, where virtual tours excel.

Getting a ‘feel’ for a property is heavily dependent on the visuals, and more than half of buyers won’t even consider seeing a house in person if it doesn’t include a virtual tour.

The vast majority of realtors now offer a virtual tour as standard with every listing, and potential buyers spend 5-10 times longer on listings with a virtual tour than those without.

So, how can realtors make their virtual tours stand out from the rest? Here are our top tips for creating memorable virtual tours.

1. Start with the right technology

An obvious one, but it needs to be said! Many realtors are still out there capturing grainy tours with lopsided furniture, thanks to the cheapest camera Amazon has to offer.

Investing in quality equipment & cameras that pays for itself is the right way to go from the start, as the quality of your listings is a reflection of the quality of your service.

The best cameras for real estate use have multiple tools all rolled into one. A camera that can not just capture high quality still images of a property, but panoramas for immersive views. That moves us on to…

2. Give a full perspective with 360-degree views

360-degree views in virtual tours offer an immersive experience that allows potential buyers to explore every corner of a property with the click of a mouse.

A panoramic perspective not only showcases the property in its entirety but also gives viewers a sense of space and layout that static images simply can’t match.

​​Incorporating 360-degree views into your virtual tours is an investment in your property’s presentation and appeal, offering a clearer, more engaging experience that can significantly enhance the attractiveness of your listings.

Specialised cameras designed for real estate photography streamline the process, enabling the creation of high-quality 360-degree images with ease. Tools like the Giraffe360 camera not only simplify capturing panoramic shots but also ensure that the final product is of professional quality, ready to impress potential buyers and set your listings apart.

3. Make sure your property tour flows

When someone views a property for the first time, even online, the way it feels sticks with them – so realtors should make sure they feel right at home from the get-go.

Some tours drop the user right in the centre of a random room, but we’d always recommend starting in the same place they would in person – the front door.

Allowing a viewer to have the experience of walking through the door for the first time, even virtually, gives them the opportunity to build their first impressions and follow the same route they’d take if they were walking through it in person at their own leisure.

With some virtual tour cameras, like Giraffe360’s Go Cam, the camera has built-in LiDAR which measures spaces as it captures panoramas for a virtual tour, essentially building the floor plan as it goes. This allows the floor plan to be fully integrated into the virtual tour, with a map that gives the user an immersive guide to get a feel for the property layout.

4. Staging for ‘the silhouette’

Staging is a regular part of any listing, so we won’t bore you with the tips of ‘tidy up’ and ‘maximise the space’. Instead, we encourage you to build a story by creating a silhouette. The person who fills the silhouette? Every viewer.

Small pops of colour, family photos (or staged stock photos!) and plants with a neutral background make a home feel lived in, with plenty of room for the viewer’s imagination to run wild with the personalisations they’d make if the space was theirs.

Plain rooms feel unwelcoming and bare, so let the small details get their mind to kick into gear.

Incorporating staging into your virtual tour preparation not only enhances the visual appeal but also significantly boosts the property’s perceived value, encouraging quicker sales and potentially higher offers. Remember, you’re not just selling a space; you’re selling the dream of a home.

5. Produce consistent high-quality imagery

While investing in a top-tier real estate camera is a step in the right direction, capturing that perfect shot requires a bit more finesse.

It’s not just about the camera’s capability but also about how it’s used; we’d recommend always paying close attention to lighting and framing as a priority.

The perfect shot begins with perfect lighting. Try and plan your shots during the daytime to make the most of natural light, adding the warmth of indoor lighting to add an extra glow.

The secret to framing a captivating still image for real estate is to find the right angle that gets the feel of the room. Placing a camera in the corner with a wide angle allows the full space to be captured – and the lighting will really bring it to life.

6. Use editing tools

Once you capture your images, you’re only halfway there. The magic of a great tour comes from making sure the key details in each property stand out. Adjustments to brightness and contrast can make rooms feel welcoming, while saturation tweaks bring out the vibrancy of colours.

While the tools can be a great ally, over-editing can ruin any image – the purpose should always be to uplift and hit the balance between reality and aspiration.

Giraffe360’s editing tools, powered by AI, are trained to make every image pop. But with each customer having their own preferences in image styling, additional options are available to further customise photos.

7. Use detailed descriptions

Visuals can only tell half of the story, so let them draw your audience in and the accompanying text carry them the rest of the way. Descriptions won’t just showcase your knowledge of the property as a quality realtor, but it provides context and highlights unique features of each space.

Descriptions and annotations serve as the voice of the tour, narrating the story of the property. Whether it’s pointing out the energy efficient features, original hardwood floors, or even the proximity to local amenities, these notes can significantly impact a buyer’s perception and appreciation of the property.

Leveraging intuitive tools that simplify the addition of informative text can transform the complexity of this task into a straightforward process. Platforms equipped with user-friendly interfaces enable realtors to seamlessly integrate descriptions and annotations into their virtual tours.

Giraffe360 takes this functionality a step further with its AI property description feature, automating the generation of compelling and accurate text based on the visuals captured.

This innovative approach not only saves time but also ensures that the descriptions are optimised for engagement, enhancing the overall quality and attractiveness of the listings.

By offering insights into the quality, history, and functionality, you not only educate potential buyers but also build an emotional connection as they start envisioning their life in the space.

8. Keep learning!

Virtual tours aren’t a one-size-fits-all practice. The experience varies based on the viewer, property type and area, and even time of year.

As we’ve explored, the fusion of technology and creativity plays a pivotal role in transforming standard listings into immersive, captivating experiences that resonate with potential buyers. From leveraging high-quality imagery and 360-degree views to employing detailed descriptions and strategic staging, each element contributes to a tour that not only showcases a property but tells its story.

As we move forward, the importance of virtual tours in real estate will only continue to grow. Now is the time to embrace these technologies and the myriad of possibilities they present. Let the tips discussed serve as your guide to crafting virtual tours that stand out from the crowd, offering viewers a unique and memorable journey through each property.

In conclusion, the future of real estate marketing is digital, and virtual tours are at its forefront. By leveraging the right tools and techniques, you can create experiences that not only showcase properties but also captivate hearts and minds. Embrace the technology, enhance your skills, and watch as your virtual tours transform from simple listings into gateways to new homes.

Learn more about how Giraffe360 can transform your listings today. Book a demo using the form below.