The virtual tour voyage: Sell your story

Contrary to belief, the demand for housing amid the COVID-19 pandemic is still strong. In fact, with the lowering of interest rates, more families who weren’t serious about purchasing a new home are now considering it more. The biggest change is a buyer’s behavior. Physical open houses are on pause, and most buyers are hesitant to step into a home for an individual viewing unless their interest is truly sparked. What better way to ignite that initial spark than by offering a virtual tour? Not all virtual house tours are created equal. Most home listings post a handful of photos, but serious sellers in a competitive market need to tell a story. A new home could be a space where a retired couple spends their golden years or a young family watches their young children grow up. Selling a story through a virtual tour will incentivize buyers to take the literal extra step into their future home.  

Stage it.

You don’t have to spend half your paycheck on staging your home, but a few enhancements can go a long way. Viewers need to envision the lives they could have living in this space – An empty room and bare walls will not cut it. Add a few pieces to give life to a room, and people will see the potential a property can offer. Check out my past tips on staging your home like a pro.  

Take quality photos.

Like they say, a picture is worth a thousand words. While a space may be staged well, a poorly lit or low-resolution photo might defeat its purpose of captivating potential buyers. Quality photos tell the story about a room and the home as a whole. A good photo needs to capture an area’s qualities from its size and configuration to its finishes such as flooring, paint color and backsplash. Because they can’t see it in person, photos should show how a room is utilized. For example, the connection of an open concept can be portrayed with the placement of furniture and the angles of the camera. Again, the goal of a virtual tour is for potential buyers to envision themselves living in the space. You want to give them a feeling of welcome and warmth, just like you would do if they were physically stepping inside.  

Host a live tour.

If you’ve been on any social media platform in the past two months, you’ve probably witnessed the unescapable and countless number of live virtual events broadcasting around the clock. These live virtual events have allowed people to come together and remain engaged with the story you’re telling. A live virtual tour of a property not only gives viewers a true glimpse into a home, but it also opens the opportunity for them to ask questions in the moment. The best part is that all you need is a smartphone and good cell connection.  During the tour, walk through each room just like you would do if you were giving a tour with the buyer physically there. Discuss the individual spaces and their special features like appliances, amenities and fixtures. Allow time, either in between rooms or altogether at the end of the tour, for viewers to participate in a Q&A session, during which you can answer questions on the spot.  Unlike physical open houses that are narrowed to a couple hours on a single day, a virtual video tour is available for viewing for a potential buyer who was unavailable at the time of the broadcast. If you use a platform like Facebook, the video will live on your social media account, and users can watch your tour at their own convenience and leisure. -- Though society is slowly opening up in Florida and around the world, we are living in a new reality in which home sellers must accept and adapt to. Virtual tours are becoming more prevalent in these times. To ensure your virtual tour tells your property’s full story, please contact me today at 941-225-1500 or AmyChapman@michaelsaunders.com for a consultation.