I recently read a blog post by a real estate agent who was speaking about his experience creating virtual tours for his overseas client. Because the client was unable to walk through potential homes, the virtual tour was instrumental in the eventual sale of a property. Without it, the client wouldn’t have seen the home and would have likely never purchased it.
And when you think about it, of course a virtual tour would help. Even local clients would appreciate virtual tours of homes so they can avoid spending time visiting places that will never work for their needs.
Therefore, when I was searching through the MLS to research this commentary, I came across a virtual tour and was looking forward to “walking through” the advertised house. What I found, however, was not what I expected. Instead of a walkthrough of the home so I could see areas that were not included in the still photos, I found a slideshow of those same still photos, set to music. In other words? Not a virtual tour.
A real virtual tour is very easy to create and can instantly enhance your listing.
As such, here are five simple steps to creating a virtual tour:
Download a free video editing software program. If you’re on a PC, I would recommend Microsoft Movie Maker, or if you’re on a Mac, Apple iMovie. Both of these are extremely easy to use.
Take out your smartphone or digital camera the next time you’re at the property (or to be really efficient, do it at the same time you’re taking regular photos).
Walk through the home. Some agents like to narrate, but you don’t have to. Make sure you walk through the home as you would lead a potential client through.
Transfer your movie file to your computer, open it with your editing software and edit as necessary.
Upload the finished file to your website, or any software platforms you may use, such as RES.NET.
Try it out on your next listing. You’ll never know the power of a great virtual tour until you have one on your own listing.
Pauline Perenack is the Marketing Manager with RES.NET.
For more information, visit www.res.net.
