Virtual tours have become indispensable to real estate in 2020.
With potential buyers or renters unable to see a property in person during the pandemic, virtual tours have been a saving grace.
Clients welcome taking a digital stroll through their future home. Statistics show that 61% of home buyers appreciate virtual tours as the most helpful technology in making their choice. And real estate listings with virtual tours generate 87% more interest than those without.
For professional real estate agents, that raises one central question: How to create top-notch, engaging virtual home tours?
A crucial part of the answer is the 3D tour platform you use. Depending on this application, you can choose the right equipment, the right tour format and resolution, and the right way to integrate it into listings and your website.
To help you choose, here’s an overview of the top 4 platforms for creating 3D virtual tours.
1 - Kuula
To begin with, Kuula is an intuitive and uncomplicated solution for real estate professionals. This online platform lets you upload images, post-edit them, and then combine them into a compelling virtual reality experience.
It also integrates smoothly with social networks and provides outstanding customer service.
Best of all: Kuula is one of the most affordable options out there. There is even a free plan, though with limited functionality. For real estate agents, the Pro plan at $12/month is all you need to create immersive tours. The Business plan ($36/month) adds a landing page editor, a custom domain with SSL, password-protected tours, and detailed analytics.
2 - CloudPano
CloudPano is an excellent option if you’re just starting out with 360° tours. It allows you to create professional-looking tours without any hassle.
The online interface is easy to handle even for beginners and offers extensive editing options. Finished tours are hosted on the platform itself, and you can embed them on your website, or on social media with a single link.
In addition, CloudPano allows you to customize your logo, set initial views for every scene, and highlight certain areas through hotspots.
Another plus: There are extensive training materials for beginners. For example, they have a training series on How to Photograph the Perfect 360 Tour.
In terms of pricing, CloudPano comes at a monthly $33.
3 - Pano2VR
Unlike the first two options on this list, Pano2VR is not an online platform, but a software package you can download. It’s a powerful tool that allows you to create captivating 3D tours with deep customization.
Besides importing photos and post-editing them to create a virtual tour, you can add interactive elements like menus, info panels, skins, embedded videos, and more.
What’s more, Pano2VR integrates seamlessly with Google Street View.
Pricing starts at a one-time $169.00.
4 - Matterport
Matterport is the most advanced option on this list, with an impressive array of features.
You can scan a room with a special 3D, LiDAR, or 360° camera, or the Matterport Capture app on your iPhone or iPad. Then, the platform’s Cortex AI will automatically post-process images, and stitch them together into a seamless tour. Finally, you can add interactive elements like explanation texts, links, and videos.
Once finished, you can share your tours via social media and email, embed them on your website, and publish them to Google Street View, VRBO, or Realtor.com.
Matterport offers a very limited free version that allows you to explore its functionalities. The cheapest paid plan is $9.99/month but limits you to 5 active tours at a time. Real estate professionals will need the Professional ($69.99/month) or Business ($309.00/month) plan. Compatible professional 3D cameras like the Insta360 ONE X start at $400.
Conclusion
In 2020, virtual tours are essential.
As a professional real estate agent, you need to acquire the skills and tools to create stunning, immersive 3D renderings of your clients’ properties.
The platforms above can help you do just that - whether you’re a 3D beginner or a seasoned professional.
