If you’re selling your home, you might be wondering what the best way to market it is. Will buyers be more responsive to photos, videos, or 3D virtual tours? Is there even much of a difference between the different options? Before choosing how to show off your home to potential buyers, consider these pros and cons of each option.
The video tour
If you’re going to choose one of these marketing tactics, video is usually considered more high-end. In fact, video can help some buyers overcome their doubts about purchasing a home that they’ve never seen in person.
A professionally produced video tour provides an overview of your home, allowing potential buyers to take it all in before deciding. Whether they want to see it for themselves. This can be especially useful if your home has unique features that may be difficult to explain in words alone. However, keep in mind that a video doesn’t allow people to ask questions. If you think someone might have questions after watching it. Consider adding a call-to-action at the end of your video directing them to another page. Where they can contact you with any additional questions.
Also note that videos tend to require longer download times than photos and don’t work well on mobile devices. So, if you’re considering including a video as part of your listing. Make sure you optimize it for both desktop and mobile users by providing a shorter version (which is easier to download) and links to both versions on each platform.
Finally, remember that there are many ways to create a video—some are better than others. You can always hire professionals to produce a high-quality product for you. But there are also plenty of tools available online that let you produce your own professional quality videos using just your smartphone.
For example, Movavi Video Editor is a free tool that lets you record footage from your computer screen while narrating over it. It then allows you to upload directly to YouTube or Vimeo from within the app. Be aware though, once you post your video online, anyone can access it—so make sure it’s something you feel comfortable sharing publicly!
Digital Photo Tours
And remember, most virtual tours are designed to highlight individual rooms. While it’s possible to include multiple rooms in a single video tour. Doing so will generally increase your production costs and time investment. The photo tour: While not quite as flashy as videos. Digital photo tours still provide potential buyers with valuable information about what they can expect when they visit your home in person.
That said, compared to videos and virtual tours, digital photo tours generally only cover one room at a time. But, unlike videos, they can easily be shared across social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. They also work great on mobile devices because they aren’t limited to streaming speeds.
The downside is that photo tours don’t show off as much detail as a video would—for example, viewers won’t get a sense of how large a room actually is until they arrive in person. Also, since they’re static images, it can be hard to tell exactly which direction the camera is facing. To combat this issue, you can use arrows in your photos to indicate which way the room extends. Another option is to add a virtual walkthrough video that shows the same space from different angles. The 3D virtual tour: Unlike a video or photo tour, a 3D virtual tour allows viewers to experience your home in three dimensions without ever leaving their computers.
3D virtual tours
This is a particularly effective tactic for buyers who are unable to schedule a home inspection due to travel or other constraints. The downside, however, is that 3D virtual tours are typically more expensive and time-consuming to produce than either videos or photo tours. And, like videos, they can be challenging to share on mobile devices. The bottom line: Each of these options comes with its own set of pros and cons. And the best one for you depends on your specific needs and budget.
For example, if you’re trying to sell a home in a competitive market. You may need to invest in a high-quality video or 3D virtual tour. On the other hand, if your home is located in a remote area with few buyers nearby, a photo tour could be the perfect solution. No matter which type of tour you decide on. Remember that it’s important to make sure that your photos and videos are high-resolution and look as crisp as possible.
This is especially true for virtual tours, which are more likely to zoom in on and scrutinized. If you do choose to go with a 3D virtual tour. Make sure that your photos and videos are taken from the exact same angle as the one shown in your virtual tour. This will ensure that viewers can compare the two and really get a sense of what it looks like in person. Also, if you opt for a 3D virtual tour, make sure that you choose a reputable provider.
Many services are out there offering very cheap prices—but the truth is that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Remember: Quality takes time and effort. Don’t settle for anything less than what you deserve.
The virtual tour
A photo or video might get you an offer faster than a virtual tour. But remember that it’s not your listing photo that matters most; it’s how viewers experience your home once they arrive. That first impression is critical when selling your home fast. This is where a virtual tour can make all of the difference. Because no matter what photos or videos you capture onsite. They won’t be as effective as an interactive experience allowing potential buyers to walk through your home from their own computer screens.
With technology becoming more advanced and accessible by the day. Many real estate agents are using online virtual tours as a powerful marketing tool in today’s competitive market. It’s safe to say that those who don’t embrace technology will likely miss out on business—and even listings—in today’s world of real estate marketing. So if you want to stand out among other homes listed for sale, consider investing in a professional-quality virtual tour.
These days, many real estate companies and individual agents are offering packages. That include both a high-resolution photo shoot with one of their photographers plus post-production services. If you decide to go with a photographer, take advantage of these services so that your property looks its best in every shot. And keep in mind that there are two types of virtual tours: exterior only and interior/exterior.
Immersive experience inside your home
The latter provides viewers with an immersive experience inside your home, which makes them feel like they’re really there. Interior/exterior tours also tend to convert better than exterior-only options, but they cost more. Regardless of whether you choose an exterior-only or interior/exterior package, try to incorporate as much detail into your virtual tour as possible.
For example, adding sound effects and furniture can give viewers a sense of actually being in your home rather than just viewing it from afar. You may also want to consider having multiple angles in your virtual tour. When choosing between an exterior-only or interior/exterior option, think about what works best for your home and budget.
Keep in mind that some homeowners prefer to save money by opting for an exterior-only option while others prefer to invest more upfront and have a complete experience right away. In any case, you should always strive to provide a positive user experience by including as much information and interactivity as possible.
Ultimately, your goal is to help viewers visualize themselves living in your home. Which means providing them with plenty of eye candy along with detailed information about each room (flooring type, number of bedrooms and bathrooms). Whether you’re interested in an exterior-only or interior/exterior virtual tour package, it’s important to work closely with your real estate agent throughout the process.
The photo shoot
Unless you’re planning on putting your home up for sale online only, you’ll need professional photos of your property. A real estate photographer will make sure every square inch is and each angle reveals some new aspect of your home in its best light. When you take these pictures yourself (or ask a friend). It can be hard to tell if they reveal any imperfections. And even if you do notice something off-kilter, it can be tough to recreate an identical scene when taking more shots.
That’s why hiring a pro is worth the investment. It’s one less thing for you to worry about as you prepare your home for sale. It’s also good practice to shoot before staging your home, so you have before photos that potential buyers can refer back to once they move in.
The video tour: As much as we all love a great photo slideshow, video tours are becoming increasingly popular among homeowners. Who want to get top dollar for their homes. Why? Because with video tours, you can give viewers a feel for what it feels like to walk through your space—even when they aren’t physically there.
While still photos capture specific moments, videos allow viewers to see how rooms flow into one another. How natural light changes throughout different times of day. If you’re interested in selling your home soon. Consider investing in a high-quality camera to film your next listing; otherwise, stick with still photography until you’ve found your dream house.
A Quick Wrap
While you’re asking your real estate agent how best to market your home for sale. It might be helpful to ask yourself: is a photo (traditional), video (shot with smartphones) or 3D virtual tour (like an online tour) of my home really going to make all that much of difference?
It’s true that photos and videos are now expected when you put your house on the market. But if you want to stand out from other sellers in today’s competitive housing market. A 3D virtual tour may well be worth considering. Unlike photos and videos, which only show what your home looks like at one point in time. A 3D virtual tour allows potential buyers to explore every room in your house as if they were actually there – even before they set foot inside!