Listing a home these days is a LOT of work. I would estimate that I spend at least $1,000 for each listing to successfully market it so that it gets the "best" exposure it possibly can. I have a good digital camera with three lenses. Wide angle, etc. It takes wonderful pictures. I like cameras, so I spent a lot of money, but I also have a nice $400 camera that I carry around with me for those quickie shots.

1.  I don't care the price of the home, I do a virtual tour - unless - the house is a mess. (I currently have one of those - can't get my sellers to get their home in order so I can take inside photos) Instead, I put in the floorplan and two/three photos of the home on the outside. The backyard is a mess too, so only the front showing the 10' RV gate.

2.  I place it - of course - on each of my websites. I have three. Two of them have photos showing on the front page, and one has the "featured homes" section.

3.  I take at least 15-30 photos of the home and it's inside and out. All of the good photos are either on the virtual tour, the MLS or on the listings on my websites.

4.  I prepare flyers for the inside of the home with four photos of the home, the information, etc. I don't put the price - that changes frequently these days. :-)

5.  I order and attach two riders. One with my photo and my information and website, and another with three photos of the inside or back of the home and basic information. Square footage, how many bedrooms, etc.

6.  My title company prepares a home book for me that sits on the counter of the home. Prospective buyers can then review the CC&R's and the SPDS. I personalize it with a copy of the flyer that I prepare and information about me as a Realtor.

These are just "some" of my marketing "musts."  There are many virtual tour companies out there that are reasonable. You take your own digital photos and voila.........you can put together a virtual tour.

Always, if you can find out, put the name of the builder and get a copy of the floorplan. There are some builders that "I" personally prefer for customer service, for how well they build their homes, etc. I always look for the name of the builder.

As a caveat, I was searching through 92 homes this morning that fit my buyer preferences. The ones with only one photo, or the ones without a photo didn't get selected. I personally preview online each home I will forward. I typically don't view the virtual tour - too time consuming - but every now and then I do. Bottom line, a virtual tour is something that appeals to my buyers - and my sellers.

My two cents worth :-)