Early in the pandemic, the real estate industry transformed overnight. That was a necessary part of making sure agents, brokers, buyers, and sellers would be safe in every stage of a transaction. One reason why Homesale Realty excelled in that time is our ability to adapt.

Now, the pandemic is finally beginning to wane. But the lessons learned during that time remain just as relevant as before. And the technological advances will shape real estate for many years to come. Never before have the basics of a real estate transaction evolved so quickly.

One of the biggest examples of this is the virtual tour.

What Is a Virtual Tour?

There are two different ways to do a virtual tour. One is created using panoramic photos of the property and allows buyers to "walk around" in the three-dimensional landscape. The other uses video and is led and narrated by the real estate agent, then posted for later review at any time.

No matter what approach you take to virtual tours, they will add greater interest to your listings:

• Buyers love them because they can expand their search radius without traveling more.
• Sellers enjoy them since it means less likelihood of having to host a crowd of strangers!

Virtual tours may look complex, but the right technology makes them simple to design and share. When you consider the advantages they confer on your business, they are more than worth the learning curve!

Why Real Estate Agents Benefit from Virtual Tours

• You'll Access a Larger Number of More Committed, Qualified Buyers
  Of course, traditional in-person open houses are gaining steam again over time. But a virtual tour is now a tool buyers can use to develop their "shortlist" of potential properties. All in all, if a virtual tour engages a buyer, then he or she is more likely to be serious about making an offer on the property.
  
  
• You'll Help Your Buyers Make Faster Decisions Aligned with Their Goals
  One of the most cherished duties of a real estate agent working with buyers is to send them a curated list of properties that meet their needs. In the past, following up on those suggestions often meant a drive to the property—now, buyers can quickly compare properties and move faster.
  
  
• You'll Unlock a "Missing Market" Full of People Who Might Otherwise Pass By
  As far back as 2017, the National Association of Realtors conducted research that uncovered a startling fact: 54% of buyers won't even consider a property unless it has a virtual tour! Years have passed, and virtual tours have become a "must-have" to an even greater proportion of buyers.
  
  
• You'll Make Your Listings More Visible on Average
  Video is a huge component of search engine optimization (SEO), the process of raising online visibility in search. Pages with video have much greater SEO pull. The increased time users spend on the page also signals Google that the content is high quality, giving it an even further boost.
  
  
• You'll Demonstrate Your Commitment to a Better Client Experience
  More leads, more closings, and a faster overall transaction process—what's not to like? When you make virtual tours a key part of your listing strategy, you're demonstrating to clients and colleagues alike that your focus is on delighting the customers you work for. And it doesn't even add much overhead!

Virtual tours are just one of many ways you can brand yourself effectively and stand out as a member of our team. Contact BHHS Homesale Realty today to learn more or get started on your journey.