Virtual Tour Basics
By definition, a virtual tour is a digitally rendered walk-through of a rental property. Unlike photographs, which portray the property based on the photographer’s point of view, virtual tours can provide an in-depth look into each room of a property. Virtual tours can also allow prospective renters to measure spaces and areas of the home and even digitally place their furnishings to see how they would fit.
Current studies have shown that renters choose virtual tours of rental properties. According to results compiled by Zumper, more than 70% of renters say they would be glad to rent an apartment without seeing it in person if they could check it out through a 3D virtual tour.
Types of Virtual Tours
Virtual tours are an immersive way for possible tenants to view your rental properties. They provide a chance for prospective renters to get a feel for the space and determine if it meets their needs without having to visit the property physically.
There are three main types of virtual tours: a 360 virtual tour, a 3D virtual tour, and a virtual reality tour.
- 360 Virtual Tour. A 360 virtual tour is a single panoramic image sewn together from several photographs. These tours enable potential tenants to view a full room in one image, then click and drag to look around. 360 virtual tours are uncomplicated and relatively low-cost to create, making them a suitable option for Euless property managers just starting with virtual tours.
- 3D Virtual Tour. A three-dimensional (or “true”) virtual tour, which is a more immersive option than a 360 virtual tour, allows potential tenants to walk through the property as if they were there. These tours are made by taking numerous photographs of a rental property and then stitching them together using special software. Because of the time and effort entailed in creating them, high-end rental properties usually only use three-dimensional virtual tours.
- Virtual Reality Tour. The newest and most immersive type of virtual tour is the virtual reality (VR) tour. These tours enable prospective tenants to put on a VR headset and explore the property as if they were walking through it. While VR tours are still uncommon, they are becoming more and more popular as VR technology becomes more accessible.
What are the benefits of virtual tours?
- Convenience. Perhaps the major advantage of virtual tours is that they are incredibly convenient. Prospective tenants can tour your rental properties without having to leave their homes or work schedules. This is especially handy for out-of-state or international renters who might have difficulty scheduling a time to tour the property physically.
- 24/Hour Availability. Virtual tours are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This suggests that potential tenants can tour your rental properties on their own schedule without having to work around your availability.
- Increased Engagement. Virtual tours are also proven to increase engagement. A study by Inman News found that properties with virtual tours receive, on average, 42% more website views than those without virtual tours.
- Improved SEO. On top of higher engagement, virtual tours can also improve your rental property’s SEO. Google appreciates new content, and adding a virtual tour to your property listing is a perfect way to introduce new content and improve your ranking in search results.
How to Optimize Your Virtual Tours
Quality Matters. Be sure to use high-quality images and videos, and avoid using low-resolution or blurry photos. You want potential tenants to get a clear sense of your rental properties, so be sure to use quality virtual tour content.
Include a Call to Action. It would be best to include a call to action (CTA) at the end of your virtual tour. A CTA is a statement or button that encourages potential tenants to take the next step, such as scheduling a showing or contacting you for more information. By incorporating a CTA, potential tenants are more likely to rent from you.
Virtual tours are an incredible strategy to give potential tenants a feel for your rental properties without demanding them to physically visit the property. Now is the best time to start if you haven’t already started using virtual tours in your rental property marketing. Ready to learn more about how to incorporate virtual tours into your rental property marketing? Contact us online today!