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Virtually Tour-able

By
Real Estate Agent with Amerivest Realty

Ahhhhhh.... Virtual tours.  The joy of previewing a property without leaving your chair:)

I know buyers like virtual tours, and I think most sellers like the idea of them.... but I have sort of mixed emotions about their 'bare all'-ness. 

First - I just want to say that compiling your 12 or 16 or 25 or whatever pictures that you post on the MLS and having them fade in and out - set to some cheesy music is NOT a virtual tour.  I look at virtual tours, too.  I use them to help screen houses to show - and I use them when doing my research in pricing properties.  And there is nothing that frustrates me more than waiting for a 'virtual tour' to load - and then it's all the exact same pictures I've already sat and looked through. 

So here's why I like virtual tours: 

They give the house a little extra exposure.  And by that I mean they usually help get the house in front of a few more potential buyers.  Either by being on an extra website or two or because you can specifically search only for houses with virtual tours....

And here's why I don't like virtual tours:

They give the house a little extra exposure.  I always tell my buyers that "house-hunting" is really more like "house-eliminating".  (Refer back to my 2010 in Review, part 3 where I explain that shopping for a house is NOT like shopping for a wedding dress.)  Especially in this market with literally hundreds of houses for buyers to choose from - it's pretty easy for a buyer to eliminate a property from the comfort of their own home when a virtual tour shows every cluttered counter top, dated light fixture, and stained carpet.  So in that regard - I do think they (virtual tours.... yep, still on that topic) have the potential to reduce the number of showings on a property.

And that's why I only suggest virtual tours for some of my listings. 

Here are two AMAZING properties (both historic homes) - that I'm not afraid to show off.... and two rather different virtual tour styles.

The first is a little more fun.  It's a video tour that I did of 215 Powell Street in Troy.  (Using my trusted Flip Camera.)  I had Matt's 14 year-old brother do a little re-mix of the song "I Need a Dollar" by Aloe Blacc  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iR6oYX1D-0w (a quick listen will help you appreciate 'our' version even more). 

(It was Matt's idea - got to give credit where credit is due.)  I called Mitchell to see if he knew the song, and he said, "Ugh - who doesn't???" (Refer back to noted age.)  But, I don't really know that it's quite as popular as Matt and Mitchell and I thought it was....  At any rate - here's that virtual tour: 

http://www.youtube.com/realtortara#p/a/u/1/Etk0s3aKBQw

For 1025 St. Louis Street in Edwardsville I called in the professionals.  These photos are beautiful; Lura with Gateway House View always does an amazing job.  (Maybe she should look into hiring Mitchell to write/perform ironic parody songs to accompany her wide-angle photos.... What more could you ask for then???)  Enjoy the tour of this gorgeous house on the most coveted street in Edwardsville: 

http://www.gatewayhouseview.com/hometour.asp?MLS=4013098&UB=yes 

Feel free to hum Mitchell's catchy tune while you scroll through the photos.

*Virtual tours are for marketing purposes only and should not be used in place of a physical visit to the property.  (That's a pretty popular disclaimer in our MLS system.... so I'll play along.)
 

 

Comments (3)

Sharon Alters
Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty - 904-673-2308 - Fleming Island, FL
Realtor - Homes for Sale Fleming Island FL

Tara, don't really know where to begin - LOVE the song parody, love your virtual tours and the photos of Lura for the Edwardsville house. Frank and I are constantly saying that what passes for Virtual Tours are merely slideshows. We actually do videos that walk through the house and edit them on our Mac. Great job! And no, not your grandmother's virtual tour! lol

Sharon

Oct 13, 2011 03:29 PM
Carlotta Remong
Berkshire Hathaway HS N.E. Prime Properties - Newport, RI

Tara, Thanks for your post on virtual tours, they are wonderful especially in homes free of clutter and tastefully decorated or staged.  The virtual tours are definitely here to stay but they should not be used for  all properties.

Oct 13, 2011 03:29 PM
Mike Yeo
3:16 team REALTY - Frisco, TX

Virtual tours are wonderful but sometimes  it does not do any justice. I still like to go out and preview it in perosn.

Oct 13, 2011 03:32 PM