Are Virtual Tours a Covid-19 Quick Fix, Or Are They Here to Stay?

Your potential customers can’t physically access your properties due to the Coronavirus and social distancing. That doesn’t mean you can’t welcome them into one of your listings virtually… Virtual tours have been around for a while but the impacts of social distancing have brought them to the forefront. Virtual tours have gone from a nice to have, to a business essential. Agencies offering virtual tours have opened the virtual door to all their listings, during a time where people are stuck in their homes.

Those agencies at the cutting edge of technology have the best chance of servicing clients through this difficult period. As people grow accustomed to remote working and digital living, customers will still be seeking virtual tour experiences long after restrictions are lifted. The shift to online real estate was already happening, it’s just been given a rocket boost.

The customer journey begins online, with 90% of purchasers doing their initial searches online. Customers are expecting control over their entire decision-making process and expect dynamic and customisable tools; gone are the days when brochures and leaflets are valued by the customer. A trend which has only been increased by Covid-19 restrictions. Virtual tours speak to this mindset, the viewer has control over how much time they spend in each room, where they look and what they zoom in on – it also alleviates awkwardness for the customer, who can review a full property at their own pace, by themselves.