3 Digital Approaches to Showing Homes
BY STEWART CONTENT TEAM
Since the beginning of the pandemic, finding alternative ways to serve clients has been a focus for many real estate agents. For convenience and safety, agents have had to adapt to using different methods of smart technology to show homes.
While the pandemic is continually evolving and some areas have opened up more, many home buyers and sellers have come to appreciate the convenience and minimal life disruption online technology provides. So, for clients who still want or need to have a virtual experience, here are some ways agents can use tech to provide the best (yet effective) experience.
Virtual Tours
Listing agents can use virtual tours to help provide potential buyers with an initial concept of the home and then reserve in-person showings for serious buyers or those ready to move forward in the buying process.
Methods of virtual tours can include:
- 3D or 360-degree virtual tour software can help buyers feel present at the home and gives them control over the experience while viewing the features of the home.
- Zoom, Facebook Live, and FaceTime can also be used to walk potential buyers through the home in real time as the agent talks about the features of the home.
Advantages to using virtual tours:
- Allows out of area buyers to view listings without having to physically be on the property.
- Helps agents save time, freeing up time to make more sales.
While a virtual open house may not replace the experience that comes with physically showing a listing, it can still help agents give potential buyers the opportunity to view a home and see if it matches their interests.
Remember, in order to effectively have a virtual open house tour, a strong WiFi connection is key. Agents should also recommend this to their clients to help them have a great virtual experience.
Smart Technology
Agents can download apps to their mobile devices to help the property stand out. Here are some available apps:
- Zillow 3D Home app allows you to take panoramas of every room and then upload what you’ve captured to help your clients experience the full layout of the home.
- HomeRover is similar to using FaceTime to show a home, but with this app, agents are able to replay the showing video and share with others.
- Kuula allows you to upload multiple panoramic images and add audio and sound to create the virtual tour. You can also upload your logo or branding, create portal hotspots, and integrate GPS into your tours depending on the plan you choose.
- CloudPano also offers a plan to add logos and embed media to your virtual tour. Some other features include live 360-degree video chat, 3D dollhouse floor plans, and Google Street View.
- EyeSpy360 offers multiple features including customizable hotspots, branding, Google Street View, and virtual staging in addition to uploading images for a 3D model and 2D floor plan. This software also allows you to share documents through screen share during your live video chat.
Aerial Photography
When buyers are looking at homes to purchase, evaluating the neighborhood is also important to them. Here are some ways to show your clients the property:
- Consider using a drone to capture photos of the area including the schools, local eateries, shopping centers, and entertainment facilities.
- Drone photography can also be used to take pictures of the amenities that the property features that may not be included in the virtual tour, such as a pool or neighborhood playground.
Visit our website for more ways to provide a better experience for your clients.
The information provided is solely informational and should not be relied upon for business practices and is subject to change without notice. Stewart does not endorse or partner with the companies mentioned throughout.