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7 Unexpected Marketing Wins You Can Achieve with a Virtual Tour
Budgets are tightening in today's real estate market, and your marketing budget is probably no exception. But before you cut back on specific marketing activities, take a look at the tools you already use — they may offer features you don't know about that can help you promote your listings at no extra cost. One of our favorite sources of hidden marketing features is the virtual tour. Not only do you get three major visual assets (an interactive 3D tour, listing photos, and a floor plan) from one photoshoot, but these platforms also offer a wealth of tools you can use to market your listing. Today, we're going to explore seven marketing wins you may not have known you could achieve with a virtual tour. And, bonus, these are things you can (and should!) talk about in your listing presentation to win over sellers (but more on that later). Let's dive in: 1. Create feature sheets Have an open house coming up? Help your listing make a lasting impression by offering printed feature sheets to attendees. There's no need to open Canva or Photoshop — your virtual tour solution can create this for you! Let's use 3D virtual tour provider iGUIDE as an example. Their platform automatically generates a visually appealing Feature Sheet with photos, a floor plan, and property info in just minutes. The feature sheets are generated as a PDF for easy printing or sharing online. 2. Share downloadable floor plans Did you know that listings with a floor plan spend 50% less time on the market, according to Zillow research? That's great news for agents who use 3D virtual tours, as most come complete with floor plans. Floor plans often mean detailed measurements of your listing have been taken, too — but check with your virtual tour provider to see how accurate these are. iGUIDE, for example, uses a time-of-flight LiDAR laser to capture accurate measurements of the space, which can be viewed directly on the tour. You can use these measurements in your listing. If iGUIDE is your virtual platform, visitors can see these detailed measurements in your virtual tour under the "Details" tab. There, visitors can also download a PDF of the floor plan. You can share these PDFs, too! They're easy to print, email, and upload to your website — or, if you convert them to image files, you can share them on social media. (See a sample PDF here or navigate to the "Details" tab below to see one available in a live 3D virtual tour.) 3. Highlight selling points or property features in your 3D tour One of our favorite virtual tour features is the ability to add tags throughout the tour to highlight your listing's unique selling points. Does your listing come with luxury appliances, like a Viking stove? Tag that in your tour to grab buyers' attention! It's the next best thing to showing off these features in person. Tags can include text, photos, and even videos — you can use whichever medium best highlights your listing's best features. 4. Share directly to social Sharing your listing on social media is an expected part of any marketing plan. Unlike photos or videos, it's not so easy sharing virtual tours, however. Technology to the rescue! Many virtual tour platforms, including iGUIDE, will generate snippets of your tour as an image file that you can share on social media. 5. Use as a landing page Using online ads to draw attention to your listings? No need to create a brand new landing page — just direct your ads to your virtual tour. This works well because virtual tour platforms, like iGUIDE, don't just offer a digital walkthrough of your listing. They also offer property details, detailed measurements, photos, local maps, and more — all branded to you and featuring your contact information. You can also promote your virtual tours in your offline marketing. Use a QR code or short URL that leads to your tour on yard signs, flyers, postcards or other printed marketing. 6. Impress your sellers with data We're going to switch gears. While previous items are about marketing to buyers, the next two are about impressing your sellers — the key to winning referrals, testimonials or repeat business from them in the future. When evaluating which virtual tour solution to use, ask if they offer analytics. iGUIDE, for example, provides data on how many people are visiting your tour, how they're interacting with it, which areas are getting the most attention, and how long viewers are spending in the tour. You can share this information with your sellers to show your value and demonstrate the marketing you are doing on their behalf. 7. Include tour data in your closing gift Your transaction may be drawing to a close, but that doesn't mean you can't stay top-of-mind with your client. If your virtual tour provider allows you to download your files, as iGUIDE does, you can give this data to your seller at closing. Load up the files on a USB stick that's branded to your business and include it in your closing gift. It's a nice gesture that plays on the nostalgia your sellers may feel about their old home — and it helps keep you top of mind for when they're ready to transact again. BONUS: A flyer to include in your listing presentations The items above are great talking points to cover in your listing presentation as part of your marketing plan! To help you start that conversation, we're including a downloadable listing flyer that you can incorporate into your listing presentations, courtesy of iGUIDE. Download the listing flyer now to help you win your next listing presentation! Then visit goiguide.com to learn more about

10 Ways Floor Plans and 3D Virtual Tours Help Sell Homes Faster
As a real estate agent, your primary goal is to sell properties quickly and at the best possible price. In today's competitive real estate market leveraging cutting-edge technology can give you a significant advantage. Floor plans and 3D virtual tours are powerful tools that can help you showcase properties in an immersive and engaging way, ultimately leading to faster sales and higher returns. 1. Increased visibility and exposure By incorporating floor plans and 3D virtual tours into your listings, you can dramatically increase the visibility and exposure of your properties. These interactive experiences allow potential buyers to explore homes from the comfort of their own devices, piquing their interest and driving more traffic to your listings. — 64 of home buyers want to see floor plans on a listing 2. Efficient pre-screening of buyers Floor plans and virtual tours enable buyers to pre-screen properties before scheduling in-person viewings. This efficiency saves time for both you and potential buyers, as only truly interested parties will request physical showings, reducing the likelihood of wasted efforts. 3. Engaging and immersive experience 3D virtual tours, such as those from iGUIDE, provide an immersive and engaging experience that goes beyond traditional photography or video. Buyers can navigate through properties as if they were physically present, allowing them to get a comprehensive understanding of the layout, flow, and atmosphere of each space. 4. Highlight key features and selling points With floor plans and virtual tours, you can strategically highlight the most appealing features and selling points of a property using tags. Whether it's a stunning open concept living area, a luxurious master suite, or a breathtaking outdoor space, you can guide buyers' attention to the aspects that will captivate them. 5. Eliminate geographic barriers Traditional real estate marketing is often limited by geographic boundaries. However, with floor plans and virtual tours, you can showcase properties to buyers worldwide, expanding your reach and increasing the pool of potential buyers exponentially. — 97% of all homebuyers used the internet in their home search 6. Enhance transparency and trust By providing comprehensive floor plans and virtual tours, you demonstrate transparency and build trust with potential buyers. They can fully appreciate the property's layout, condition, and features without the need for in-person viewings initially, fostering confidence in their decision-making process. 7. Facilitate effective communication Floor plans and virtual tours serve as powerful communication tools, enabling you to discuss properties with clients more effectively. You can easily reference specific areas or rooms, clarify dimensions, and address any concerns or questions buyers may have, leading to a smoother and more efficient sales process. — 1 in 10 buyers won’t even arrange a viewing without first seeing a floor plan 8. Competitive advantage in the market By leveraging cutting-edge technology, you gain a significant competitive advantage over other real estate professionals who rely solely on traditional marketing methods. Buyers are increasingly drawn to properties that offer immersive virtual experiences, giving you an edge in attracting and retaining their interest. — 3 out of 5 home buyers are willing to purchase after a virtual tour only 9. Reduced costs and increased efficiency Incorporating floor plans and virtual tours into your marketing strategy can ultimately lead to reduced costs and increased efficiency. By pre-screening buyers and minimizing unnecessary in-person viewings, you can save time and resources, allowing you to focus on qualified leads and closing deals more effectively. 10. Environmentally friendly marketing In today's eco-conscious world, floor plans and virtual tours offer an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional real estate marketing methods. By reducing the need for physical travel and printed materials, you can actively contribute to sustainable practices while still providing an exceptional marketing experience. In the competitive world of real estate, leveraging floor plans and 3D virtual tours can give you a significant advantage in attracting and retaining potential buyers. By offering immersive experiences, highlighting key features, and facilitating effective communication, you can streamline the sales process, increase efficiency, and ultimately sell properties faster and at better prices. Find an iGUIDE operator in your area to get started with iGUIDE today. To view the original article, visit the iGuide blog. Related reading Best Practices for Creating Floor Plans and 3D Virtual Tours Mastering Technology to Stay Ahead in Real

Exploring the Revolution of Real Estate Virtual Tours
In 2023, the real estate industry witnessed a significant shift in the way properties are showcased to potential buyers. Virtual tours have revolutionized the home buying experience, offering a cutting-edge, immersive, and convenient approach for prospective homeowners. Gone are the days of relying solely on static images and floor plans; real estate virtual tours now empower buyers to explore properties from the comfort of their own homes, making the home buying process more efficient and enjoyable. The Rise of Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) Advancements in Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) technologies have propelled real estate virtual tours to new heights. VR headsets have become more affordable and accessible, allowing buyers to step into a property and explore every corner virtually. Augmented Reality, on the other hand, has introduced a new way of envisioning properties in real-world settings. Buyers can use their smartphones or AR-enabled devices to superimpose virtual elements, such as furniture or decor, onto an empty space, providing a clear visualization of how the property can be personalized to suit their needs. Virtual Staging and Home Customization Virtual staging has become an indispensable tool in the real estate industry. Gone are the days of costly and time-consuming physical staging; instead, virtual staging allows real estate agents and sellers to digitally furnish and decorate properties with a wide range of styles. Buyers can see a property's potential, transformed into their dream home, without the need to physically move any furniture. Additionally, home customization have become increasingly popular in virtual tours. Prospective buyers can visualize and explore various design options for rooms, allowing them to tailor the property to their preferences before making any structural changes. Interactive and Guided Tours Virtual tours have evolved from static, pre-recorded presentations to interactive and guided experiences. Today, prospective buyers can take control of their tours, deciding where to navigate and what to focus on, enhancing their sense of autonomy during the exploration process. Guided tours have also gained popularity, where a real estate agent or AI-powered virtual assistant can accompany buyers throughout the virtual journey, providing insights and answering questions in real-time. This personalized touch helps build a stronger connection between the buyer and the property, leading to more informed purchasing decisions. Conclusion Recent times have marked a turning point for the real estate industry with the rapid adoption of virtual tours. By harnessing the power of virtual reality, augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and interactive features, real estate virtual tours have transformed the home buying experience for the better. The seamless accessibility, customization options, and global reach have made virtual tours an indispensable tool for buyers, sellers, and real estate professionals alike, shaping the future of real estate in an increasingly digitized world. To view the original article, visit the Realtyna