Great photos and a strong, detailed description are the foundation of any marketable real estate listing. But thanks to technology, it doesn’t have to stop there.
Digital tools now allow agents to add everything from 3D tours and interactive floor plans to furniture, decor and even custom paint colours to their listings, making properties more marketable — and more beautiful — than ever.
Want to improve your listings (and their shot at getting noticed)? Here are 5 digital tools that can help:
1. Virtual Tours
With various virtual tour apps, you can create interactive, 3D walk-throughs of any property. Viewers can move throughout the home, exploring room after room with just the click of a button — no matter where in the world they might be located. It’s a great way to increase sight-unseen offers or attract non-local buyers.
It’s also proven to increase listing views. According to virtual tour tool Matterport, listings with virtual tours get clicked 40 percent more than other listings. They also get 95 percent more phone inquiries and 65 percent more email inquiries.
2. Virtual Staging Apps
Don’t have the cash to furnish, redecorate and stage a home? Just want better, more welcoming listing photos? Virtual staging apps like BoxBrownie, Hutch and VisualStager can help. Fill spaces with on-trend paint colors, furnishings and decor, and highlight the true potential of a property. These tools are especially effective on new and empty homes, which often feel stark and unwelcoming — particularly online.
3. Video Editor Apps
Thanks to the various editing apps out there, it’s now incredibly easy to create a video tour of your home without any deep videography or photography skills. Just snap a few photos and videos on your phone or tablet, and then use tools like Videoliciious or Animoto to add graphics, audio, music and more. Post the video to YouTube, include it in your listings and share it on social media for extra traction.
4. Floor Plan Creators
Floor plans are crucial for buyers looking to evaluate a space’s potential, as well as its abilities to accommodate their unique needs. But unless the home is brand new, most properties don’t come with a floor plan already available. This is where tools like Floorplanner.com, RoomSketcher and Archilogic can help. Use them to create 2D and 3D layouts that give buyers all the information they need to evaluate a property and its potential.
5. Showing Schedulers
Really want to increase the chances you book a showing? Use a showing scheduler — or better yet a listing site with a showing tool built-in — and let buyers book showings on the spot. This cuts down on phone tag (and wasted time) and allows buyers a little more control in the process. Curb Call and ShowingTime are popular options.
More to Come
Real estate technology is evolving at breakneck speeds, so expect even more bottom line-boosting digital tools in the future. Want help leveraging the latest technology in your real estate career? Consider joining Right at Home Realty. Contact us today to learn more.