Virtual Tour Basics
By definition, a virtual tour is a digitally rendered walk-through of a rental property. Unlike photographs, which show the property based on the photographer’s point of view, virtual tours can give an in-depth look into each room of a property. Virtual tours can also enable prospective renters to measure spaces and sections of the home and even digitally place their furnishings to see how they would fit.
According to the latest studies, renters prefer virtual tours of rental properties. According to results compiled by Zumper, above 70% of renters say they would be pleased to rent an apartment without seeing it in person if they were able to see it through a 3D virtual tour.
Types of Virtual Tours
Virtual tours are an immersive approach for prospective tenants to inspect your rental properties. They help potential renters to get a feel for the space and see if it meets their needs without having to go to the property physically.
There are three primary 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 created by stitching together numerous photographs. These virtual tours allow prospective tenants to look at the entire room in one image, then click and drag to look around. 360 virtual tours are uncomplicated and not expensive to create, making them an excellent option for Chapel Hill property managers just starting with virtual tours.
- 3D Virtual Tour. A more immersive option than a 360 virtual tour, a three-dimensional (or “true”) virtual tour allows potential tenants to walk through the property as if they were there. These tours are created by capturing numerous photographs of a rental property and then placing them together with special software. Due to the time and effort necessary to create them, high-end rental properties usually only use three-dimensional virtual tours.
- Virtual Reality Tour. The modern and most immersive type of virtual tour is the virtual reality (VR) tour. These tours allow prospective tenants to use a VR headset and explore the property as if they were walking through it. While VR tours are still pretty rare, they are becoming more and more popular as VR technology becomes more accessible.
What are the benefits of virtual tours?
- Convenience. Maybe the best thing about virtual tours is that they are very convenient. Prospective tenants can tour your rental properties without needing to leave their homes or work schedules. This is highly beneficial for out-of-state or international renters who may experience difficulties scheduling a time to tour the property physically.
- 24/Hour Availability. Virtual tours are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This signifies potential tenants can tour your rental properties on their own schedule rather than depending on your availability.
- Increased Engagement. Virtual tours are also proven to increase engagement. A study by Inman News sees that properties with virtual tours receive, on average, 42% more website views than those without virtual tours.
- Improved SEO. In addition to higher engagement, virtual tours can also enhance your rental property’s SEO. Google loves new content, and incorporating a virtual tour to your property listing is a great way to add new content and increase your ranking in search results.
How to Optimize Your Virtual Tours
Quality Matters. Don’t forget to use high-quality images and videos, and avoid using low-resolution or blurry photos. You want potential tenants to have a clear sense of your rental properties, so be sure to use quality virtual tour content.
Include a Call to Action. Including a call to action (CTA) is best at the end of your virtual tour. A CTA is a statement or button that invites potential tenants to take the next step, such as scheduling a showing or contacting you for more information. Potential tenants are more likely to rent from you if you include a CTA.
Virtual tours are an ideal approach to give prospective tenants a sense of your rental properties without needing to physically visit the property. Now is the best time to start if you’re not already 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!