Why Virtual Tours are a Must for Rental Property Owners

As a Carmel rental property owner, you know marketing is key to discovering ideal renters. And if you’re not employing virtual tours yet, you’re missing out! Extending the ability of your potential tenants to take a virtual tour of your rental properties is a terrific example to show them what they’re getting before they even walk through the door. In what follows, we’ll discuss the advantages of using virtual tours for your rental property marketing and explain why every rental property owner should be using them.

Virtual Tour Basics

By definition, a virtual tour is a digitally rendered walk-through of a rental property. Unlike photographs, which show the property based on the photographer’s point of view, virtual tours can extend an in-depth glimpse into each room of a property. Virtual tours can likewise allow prospective renters to measure spaces and areas of the home and even digitally place their furnishings to see how they would fit.

Current studies have indicated that renters would like virtual tours of rental properties. According to results compiled by Zumper, more than 70% of renters say they would be pleased to rent an apartment without seeing it in person if they could verify it through a 3D virtual tour.

Types of Virtual Tours

Virtual tours are an immersive way for potential tenants to view your rental properties. They provide an opportunity for potential renters to get a feel for the space and see if it meets their needs without having to visit the property physically.

There are three main types of virtual tours: a 360 virtual tour, a 3D virtual tour, and a virtual reality tour.

1. 360 Virtual Tour. A 360 virtual tour is a single panoramic image stitched together from many photographs. These tours make it possible for potential tenants to see an entire room in one image, then click and drag to look around. 360 virtual tours are easy and relatively inexpensive to create, making them a great option for Carmel property managers just starting with virtual tours.
2. 3D Virtual Tour. A more immersive option than a 360 virtual tour, a three-dimensional (or “true”) virtual tour allows possible tenants to walk through the property as if they were there. These tours are created by taking several photographs of a rental property and then piecing them together using special software. Because of the time and effort that are taking part in creating them, high-end rental properties usually only use three-dimensional virtual tours.
3. Virtual Reality Tour. The newest and most immersive type of virtual tour is the virtual reality (VR) tour. These tours allow potential tenants to put on a VR headset and explore the property as if they were walking through it. While VR tours are still relatively rare, they are becoming more and more popular as VR technology becomes more accessible.

What are the benefits of virtual tours?

• Convenience. Perhaps the biggest benefit of virtual tours is that they are amazingly convenient. Potential tenants can tour your rental properties without having to leave their homes or work schedules. This is especially beneficial for out-of-state or international renters who might have difficulty arranging a time to tour the property physically.
• 24/Hour Availability. Virtual tours are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This also means potential tenants can tour your rental properties on their own schedule, without having to work around your availability.
• Increased Engagement. Virtual tours are also proven to increase engagement. A study by Inman News found that properties with virtual tours receive, on average, 42% more website views than those without virtual tours.
• Improved SEO. In addition to increased engagement, virtual tours can also improve your rental property’s SEO. Google loves fresh content, and adding a virtual tour to your property listing is a great way to add new content and improve your ranking in search results.

How to Optimize Your Virtual Tours

Quality Matters. Be sure to use high-quality images and videos, and avoid using low-resolution or blurry photos. You want potential tenants to get a clear sense of your rental properties, so be sure to use quality virtual tour content.

Include a Call to Action. Be sure to include a call to action (CTA) at the end of your virtual tour. A CTA is a statement or button encouraging potential tenants to take the next step, such as scheduling a showing or contacting you for more information. By including a CTA, potential tenants are more likely to rent from you.

 

Virtual tours are a great way to give potential tenants a feel for your rental properties without having to physically visit the property. If you’re not already using virtual tours in your rental property marketing, now is the best time to start. Ready to learn more about how to incorporate virtual tours into your rental property marketing? Contact us online today!