As a rental property owner in Katy, you know marketing is critical to finding the right tenants. And if you haven’t implemented virtual tours yet, you’re missing out! Allowing potential tenants to take virtual tours of your rental properties is an excellent way to show them what to expect before they visit.
We’ll discuss how virtual tours can benefit your rental property marketing and why all property owners should use them.
Virtual Tour Basics
A virtual tour offers a digital walk-through experience of a rental property. Unlike photos, which show the property from the photographer’s angle, virtual tours provide a detailed look at each room.
Recent studies reveal that renters desire virtual tours of rental properties. Zumper’s findings show that more than 70% of renters would rent an apartment sight unseen if they could view it via a 3D virtual tour.
Types of Virtual Tours
Virtual tours offer an engaging way for potential tenants to explore your rental properties. These tours let potential renters evaluate the space and see if it fits their needs without visiting in person.
There are three primary types of virtual tours: 360-degree virtual tours, 3D virtual tours, and virtual reality tours.
- 360 Virtual Tour. A 360 virtual tour is a panoramic image made by stitching together many photographs. These tours enable potential tenants to see an entire room in one image and navigate by clicking and dragging. 360 virtual tours are straightforward and cost-effective to create, making them great for property managers new to virtual tours.
- 3D Virtual Tours are more immersive than 360 virtual tours. They give potential tenants the ability to walk through the property virtually, just like they were there. These tours are created by photographing a rental property extensively and piecing the images together with special software. While it may seem complex, many user-friendly tools and services are available to guide you. Given the time and effort involved, three-dimensional virtual tours are typically used only by high-end rental properties.
- Virtual Reality Tour. The most recent and immersive form of virtual tour is the virtual reality (VR) tour. These tours allow potential tenants to use a VR headset and explore the property as if they were walking through it. Although VR tours are still uncommon, they are becoming increasingly popular as VR technology becomes more accessible.
What are the benefits of virtual tours?
- Convenience. Virtual tours eliminate much of the traditional hassle associated with property tours. Potential tenants can browse your rental properties from home or during their work hours. This is especially beneficial for out-of-state or international renters who find it challenging to schedule physical tours.
- 24/Hour Availability. Virtual tours are accessible to potential tenants 24/7. This means they can tour your rental properties whenever it suits them, without needing to align with your schedule. This powerful tool provides them with flexible viewing options.
- Increased Engagement. Virtual tours have proven to enhance engagement. Potential residents spend more time on websites offering virtual tours than on those without them.
- Improved SEO. Besides increased engagement, virtual tours can improve your rental property’s SEO. Google favors fresh content, so adding a virtual tour to your property listing is a great way to update content and boost your search ranking.
How to Optimize Your Virtual Tours.
- Quality Matters. Ensure that your images and videos are high-quality, steering clear of low-resolution or blurry photos. For potential tenants to fully grasp your rental properties, use high-quality virtual tour content.
- Include a Call to Action. Feature a call to action (CTA) at the end of your virtual tour. A CTA is a statement or button urging potential tenants to take the next step, like scheduling a showing or contacting you for more information. With a CTA, potential tenants are more inclined to rent from you.
Virtual tours provide potential tenants with a feel for your rental properties without requiring an in-person visit. Real Property Management Sugarland can help you promote your Katy properties and boost your chances of finding great, dependable tenants. Contact us online or call 832-333-9923 today!
Originally Published on July 22, 2022
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