Do Virtual Tours Make The Difference?

I like to think that the virtual tours help, but I don't have any scientific proof. The fact is, there is a lot of competition, and the more marketing tools you have in your box, the better. When I meet with a potential Seller, I run through the list of marketing tools that I use. This makes me stand apart from the less aggressive, and lesser equiped competitiors.

I think that they help....but don't know if they make the  difference. Good pictures are needed that's for sure still or in a VT. It's nice to offer the option for the seller and see if they want to have a VT done.

Patricia Aulson/Portsmouth NH Real Estate

I paid a professional videographer to come and do a video of my lastest listing. I use a tinyurl link to it in all my print materials.

Ken,

You have asked an important question.  From the homestager perspective, I can say whether still or VT, the photos had better be good and really show off the home's high points; and the web page better load quickly.

There are lots of homes on the market and buyers can get impatient with poor shots and move on quickly, and then the virtual tour is a waste of money.  If your web page does not move quickly and open the shots right away for potential buyers, then a virtual tour is a waste of money.

I check our local realtors sites and the MLS and won't wait around for slow sites, and will move on if the first shot is realllllllly baaaaaddddddd.

Ken, Good photos are a definite must.  As to virtual tours, there are so many outfits out there that will convert your pictures into a virtual tour lookalke. Realestateshows.com will do this for you.  FOr $125.00/yr you can create as many virtual shows as you like.  I find that that works just fine. 

Ken,

I agree with Lora, that good pictures are the most important, but I don't know about virtual tours. It depends on the house, I think.

Virtual Tours are very important. 86% of home buyers look online before they contact a Realtor. If you don't have photos or at least a virtual tour, you better believe that buyer will look right past your name. Most people don't have time for open homes, they work, have families and such. It's on their lunch breaks and when they're home in the evening that they're looking for a home.

 If you have a virtual tour that is attractive, appealing and informative that buyer will defiantly be contacting you. I can't tell you how many sellers and buyers I have spoken with who said the virtual tour was the selling point for them.

There are plenty of virtual tours options out there. You can use the same still photos you take for your MLS to create a tour or have a professional come out for you. Either way, if you aren't using virtual tours...you should defiantly look into it.

I also believe that virtual tours (VT's) are important.  Pictures are good, but VT's add another dimension to the buyers experience.  If the pictures are missing, then you might as well forget about that house selling anytime soon.  People will assume that there's something wrong with the house, so at the very least there should be pictures.  If there is a VT, then today's busy buyer will spend the additional time to view it.  VT's are the next best thing to being there and help create an emotional connection to the house.  Meaning if they like what they see in VT, they tend to get excited and can't wait to see the house.  Of course, before any pictures or VT's are completed, as already stated a few times above, the house must look good or be staged, otherwise they'll just have the opposite affect and keep buyers away. 

People needs pictures.  Lots of pictures.  The public has so much mistrust - they want to see every inch on the internet before they move off the sofa to see the home.