Virtual Tour VS Walkthrough Video
During the pandemic, I am using technology to help keep my clients safe and healthy. I am offering all sellers and landlords their choice between a 3D virtual tour or a video walkthrough. As a Realtor and marketing expert, I will often recommend one over the other based on the type of property, home layout, and vacancy.
Sample Video Walkthrough
Sample Matterport 3D Tour
Home Type
In this strong seller’s market, not all properties are selling equally. As a result, we adjust accordingly.
CONDOS & TOWNHOUSES
Homes below $800k that are priced at or below market value are going into attorney review within a week. That is NOT the case with condos. When it comes to condos and twonhouses I recommend a video walk-through. The video shows the general layout and condition of the home so buyers know if they are interested or not. However, it doesn’t show every detail like the walkthrough. The video piques their interest encouraging them to schedule a showing. Especially for condos/townhouses with a large, open layout, we want prospective buyers to walk in the door and experience the home for themselves.
MULTI-FAMILY HOMES
Multi-family homes are income producing. They help buyers pay their mortgage. They are the biggest pay off for investors who want to buy and hold. They are a great solution for multi-generational families who want to live together. Multi-family homes are always in demand, especially now. Since so many people want to see these homes, we want to reduce traffic, especially since that often means coordinating showings with multiple units. For multi-family homes, I recommend a 3D virtual tour. The goal is to allow prospective buyers to fully understand the layout, take measurements if they want, know the good, the bad, and the ugly. Why? Multi-family homes are literally getting over 50 showing requests in a single week, by weeding out the lookie-loos, we ensure showing availability for serious buyers.
SINGLE FAMILY HOMES- NON LUXURY
This one really depends on the price point, the home’s design, and the seller. Right now with inventory being so low, I would suggest a 3D tour. In the past Matterport (3D tour) was sometimes avoided if a house had an unusual layout or was on the smaller side. Photos can make a house look bigger than it is, video can too, but there is no hiding in a 3D tour. However, if you are living in your home you may want to reduce showings especially because we are in a pandemic. The buyers who are turned off by the layout or size in the virtual tour will be disappointed when they see it in person anyway.
SINGLE FAMILY HOMES- LUXURY
I recommend both a virtual tour and a video walkthrough. Why? Video is passive and easy. When it comes to a large house high-end buyers typically have demanding jobs, they work long hours, and they want information quickly. They don’t want to sit there clicking through on each navigation point as they tour a large home. With video, they can just press play and watch. When it comes to luxury, the pricepoint and taxes weed out most buyers, but we do Matterport to get measurements and to assist buyers’ agents. The Matterport camera uses an infrared laser to take measurements. Accurate floor plans can be created from these scans. Additionally, when you start talking about $1M+ price points, buyers typically get a bit more specific with what they are looking for. The 3D tours help buyer’s agents select the right properties for their clients, which reduces inconvenience on the seller’s behalf.
Matteport 3D virtual tours are the best way to show the interior of a home, but the Matterport camera does not work outside. Walkthrough video combined with drone footage is the best way to show extensive land and exterior features.
Home Layout
In the past, when buyers weren’t literally lining up around the block to see a home, I would recommend that homes with unusual layouts avoid 3D tours. Especially if the home had a great location, was on the larger side, or had a lot of natural light. We would want prospective buyers to experience the home for themselves, not be turned off by the 3D tour. Now we may want to use Matterport to weed out some of the buyers. As with all recommendations, I inform my clients of the pros and cons but ultimately respect their decision either way.
Vacancy
We are in a pandemic. If a home is occupied, the use of a 3D tour helps reduce traffic and weed out people who most likely won’t be interested if they saw it in person. If the home is vacant, there really isn’t as much of a concern about who is coming into the house. For multifamily homes that are partially occupied, I tend to suggest a Matterport 3D tour.