Letting Agent Virtual Tours
The real estate industry is competitive, and for the most part, it is not easy. There are many things involved in this business and several challenges one has to face.
While there are many traditional things that you can do to make your experience better, you also need to know that technology can help you out in many ways.
Like other businesses, the real estate industry has expanded its potential clients and bottom line through technology. The advancement of the internet and search engines has allowed landlords and property owners to expand their markets and reach people across the globe.
What is a virtual tour?
A virtual tour is one of the powerful tools that can help you find your next tenant. It is a way for landlords to show potential tenants the features and amenities of their rental properties.
The tours are typically done using photos or videos and can be shared through email or social media. It can also be a live video chat where the landlord can speak to the potential tenant and answer any queries they may have.
The goal of a virtual tour is to provide potential tenants with a feel for the property so that when they visit in person, they’ll already have a good idea of what the property looks like and whether or not it’s right for them.
Why should landlords consider virtual tours?
While landlords can use traditional methods of showing their properties to potential tenants, there are many advantages to using virtual tours. Some of its benefits include:
- Saves time and money: Instead of physically showing the property to every potential tenant, you can set up a virtual tour and allow them to view it at their convenience. This saves landlords and tenants time and eliminates the need for gas or other travel expenses.
- Easier to share: You can provide potential tenants with a link to view the property’s virtual tour whenever they want, without waiting for you. This is especially helpful if you have multiple properties that need to be shown simultaneously.
- Safer: Virtual tours are safer for all parties involved. They prevent you, your tenants, and their potential guests from having to physically visit the property, especially during this time of the pandemic.
- More realistic: Virtual tours are the most proficient way to show off your property. They allow you to highlight its best features and give potential tenants a more thorough understanding of what they’re getting into.
These are but a few advantages that virtual tours can benefit your property renting business.
How to create a virtual tour of your rental property?
If you’re unsure how to start, keep reading: we will walk you through the process.
Decide on a type of virtual tour
The primary virtual tours are 360° video, live video chat, and slideshow. All have their pros and cons, so it’s essential to think about your goals before choosing one over the other.
360° allows people to move around inside the property using their mouse or touchpad, move in any direction and see what’s behind them (like if someone is going through an open closet door).
While the slideshow shows still images of different areas of the property on one screen, it’s not interactive, but the viewer can click through to see each image individually or watch them all at once in a slide show.
Live video chatting is another way to show a property. It allows people to see and talk with the owner or their representative while they walk them through the property’s features and amenities.
Prepare your equipment and software
If you’re creating a virtual tour using your equipment, you must consider the type of camera and software you’ll need.
For example, if you have an iPhone or Android device with a 360° camera mode and editing software installed, that will work fine for a 360 virtual tour.
A high-definition camera or webcam is recommended, as well as a tripod to help you keep the camera level and steady while recording. Test your camera online to ensure it works properly before taking it out on tour.
However, if you want professional footage taken by someone else, then they may have their own specialized equipment and software.
Take note of what you’re going to say and show
Make sure you know what you’ll say during your virtual tour. This will help ensure that everything flows smoothly and that nothing is missed or forgotten.
Know the details of your space and what it has to offer. Be ready to answer questions that may come up during your virtual tour, such as “What are some of the features of this property?” or “Can you tell us a little bit more about the neighbourhood?”
Familiarize yourself with the route you’ll take during your virtual tour so you know exactly where to go and what rooms to show off. If there are any special features in your home, such as a fantastic view or a beautiful garden, then make sure they get their time in the spotlight.
Check the lighting and sound
The lighting and sound in your space are essential because they affect how well people can see and hear during a virtual tour. If you have good natural light, then that’s great. If not, then it might be worth investing in additional lighting fixtures.
Also, consider the sound of your space. For example, if loud noises come from somewhere else, they could interfere with the viewer’s ability to hear what is being said during their virtual tour experience.
Go easy on the editing
If you decide to do a slideshow or a pre-recorded video, try not to edit the footage too much. The more you edit it, the less authentic it will seem.
Add callouts and text overlays for ease of reference and to give the viewer a better idea of what they’re looking at. If you have a lot of footage, consider cutting down some sections and adding them as separate virtual tours for the client to view.
Video and photo editing tools to check include Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro X. If you’re on a budget, try using free editing tools like VEED, iMovie, or Windows Movie Maker.
Get your camera ready!
To attract potential tenants, you need to make it attractive and a great place for someone to live. A virtual tour of your property will show it off in the best possible light.
If your prospective tenant can’t visit the property in person, this virtual tour may be all they see. Make sure that it’s beautiful, professional, and as appealing as possible so it can seal the deal for you.
The British Landlords Association is a national landlords association for residential & commercial landlords. Join us today; membership for the year is only £69.95
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