As we navigate a new normal, many homebuyers are taking to the internet to check out the latest listings…virtually! Virtual tours have been around for quite a while, but in the age of social distancing, they’ve become an essential tool that can make your home search a whole lot easier.
The 3 Most Popular Types of Virtual Tours
Not all virtual tours are created equal—but they can definitely help you decide whether or not you’re interested in a property. Here are some of the most common types of online home tours that you should know about.
Video Tours
They say that a picture is worth a thousand words…but a video is definitely worth a thousand pictures! Video tours can give you a good idea what a home really looks like on the inside and provide a level of depth that goes beyond just a photo. Most video tours will feature full 360º views of the most important rooms in the house, such as the kitchen, living room, and master bedroom.
Some agents really love go above and beyond with their videos—they might add commentary on a home or drone footage of the property. A great video tour will also provide the price, square footage, and the number of bedrooms and bathrooms.
3D Tours
There’s nothing quite like walking through a home and touring it yourself. Believe it or not, it’s still possible to explore every square inch of a listing from the comfort of your couch! Three-dimensional (3D) tours utilize an advanced 360º camera to create a fully-interactive experience. Some cameras are even capable of rendering a floorplan of a home, which makes it easy to click from room to room.
These types of tours are highly beneficial to buyers, as it lets them virtually “walk” through a home without actually being there in person. You can turn around, go forward or backward, and click on the exact rooms that you want to see. Best of all, you won’t be limited by time—feel free to check out the home for as long as you’d like!
Virtual Open Houses
Many agents are turning to social media for a more personal approach to online tours. Virtual open houses allow buyers to check out a home in real time via live video streaming. Some buyers also enjoy the authenticity that comes with viewing “raw footage” of a home.
Facebook Live, Zoom, and FaceTime are all popular platforms for virtual open houses, but if you’d like to make special arrangements, just contact your agent. And while you’re “touring,” be sure to ask plenty of questions—this is your chance to get an insider’s perspective on a listing!
Want to Schedule a Virtual Tour?
If you’re getting ready to buy a home, we’d love to help you navigate every step of the process. Just give us a call to learn more about South Florida’s ever-changing market. The Scott Patterson Group has all the tools you need to find your perfect place!