Traditional property viewing or a virtual tour? The decision for potential property buyers depends on various factors. In our increasingly digitalized world, many are opting for the digital option. However, personal property viewings also offer numerous advantages.
Virtuelle Rundgänge vs. traditionelle Besichtigungen: Virtual tours are becoming increasingly popular because they are practical, uncomplicated, and flexible. An online property viewing enables prospective buyers or tenants to explore a potential purchase or rental property conveniently from their laptop or smartphone. As users can move interactively through the rooms, it offers them a detailed impression of the property.
Virtual tours offer a high level of flexibility for real estate agents, sellers, and potential buyers. Many appreciate that online viewings can be conducted at any time and from any desired location.
On the other hand, traditional viewings score with a more personal feel. Prospective buyers can experience the property with all their senses and immediately recognize the emotions it evokes. However, the fixed time and location of personal tours make them the more complicated option.
What works best for you ultimately depends on individual factors. In this article you will learn the advantages and disadvantages, as well as the challenges of both alternatives. This way you can decide which option best supports your real estate presentation.
- Why are virtual tours and traditional viewings so important for the real estate industry?
- Was sind die Vorteile von virtuellen Rundgängen?
- What are the advantages of traditional sightseeing?
- What are the disadvantages of virtual tours?
- Where do traditional sightseeing reach its limits?
- Where do traditional sightseeing reach its limits?
- When should real estate agents rely on traditional viewings?
- Can virtual tours and traditional visits be combined?
- What is the cost of implementing virtual tours compared to traditional tours?
- What trends are influencing the future of property viewings?
Why are virtual tours and traditional viewings so important for the real estate industry?
Traditional and virtual property viewings are typically the final step before a purchase decision is made. While real estate photos and videos provide first impressions, a tour reveals a property in detail. Prospective buyers can explore and scrutinize each room carefully. They have the opportunity to view the property from different angles, thus receiving a comprehensive overview.
In this way, potential buyers form a detailed picture of the property. It also helps clarify the proportions—for instance, one gets an idea of how their own furniture might fit into the rooms.
Property viewings are an essential component of property presentation and marketing. They are often the decisive factor in a prospective buyer’s or renter’s decision.
Traditional viewings are primarily aimed at a local target audience. Prospective buyers who are in the area or not far away can personally inspect the property during a scheduled appointment.
On the other hand, virtual tours are significantly more versatile and suitable for everyone. Since they are conducted online, it doesn’t matter if potential buyers don’t live just around the corner – whether they are in another part of Switzerland, Germany, or even on the other side of the world. An online property viewing allows interested parties to take a closer look at a property regardless of where they live.
What are the advantages of virtual tours?
Virtual tours have become an integral part of our digital world – they have revolutionized real estate presentation in some ways.
Online viewings streamline the sales process. They not only save prospective buyers time but also you as the real estate agent. There’s no need to schedule appointments or make the trip to the property—and, of course, you also save the time that a traditional viewing would require.
By incorporating a 360-degree virtual tour, you make your property accessible to a broader audience. This method effortlessly overcomes geographic barriers and significantly expands your target market. As a result, even potential buyers located far away can view your property without any considerable effort.
By integrating a 360-degree virtual tour into your marketing strategy, your property instantly becomes accessible to a wider audience. This approach eliminates the usual geographic constraints, allowing interested parties—whether they are next door, in another region, or even in a different country—to explore the property with ease and at their own convenience. In essence, the interactive and immersive nature of a 360-degree tour not only broadens your target market but also enhances the overall appeal and accessibility of your real estate offering.
All this supports your online property presentation and makes it more effective. Studies even show that virtual tours lead to faster sales—according to a Matterport study, properties with 3D tours sell up to 31% faster than those without.
What are the advantages of traditional sightseeing?
Traditional property viewings have their distinct advantages. They offer potential buyers a personal and tailored experience by allowing them to physically explore each room and directly ask the agent questions. This face-to-face interaction gives the agent the opportunity to elaborate on the unique features of the property and share insights that might not be as effectively communicated online. Such an immersive experience can spark an emotional connection with the property, often reinforcing the buyer’s decision to move forward with the purchase.
Additionally, there are certain details that can only be appreciated on site. For instance, the texture of the tiles—whether smooth or coarse—can only be properly assessed in person. Likewise, the unique aroma of a property and its overall “feel-good factor” are experiences that are exclusive to an on-site visit.
What are the disadvantages of virtual tours?
Virtual tours don’t always reveal all the details, so small details may not be shown or simply overlooked.
Even though virtual tours appeal to a wide audience, they are not necessarily suitable for everyone. They require not only a stable internet connection but also the willingness to conduct a property viewing online. This can be particularly challenging for older generations, who often prefer the personal interaction that traditional viewings provide.
Finally, it’s important to consider the production costs of virtual tours. At Visualista.ch, you can have 360-degree tours created for your properties starting at CHF 299. In the long run, however, this investment pays off because you can use one online tour for a multitude of potential buyers, maximizing both exposure and efficiency in your property marketing strategy.
Where do traditional sightseeing reach its limits?
Traditional viewings come with several challenges for both agents and potential buyers alike. For you as a real estate agent, the workload can multiply—especially when there is significant interest in the property. In the case of personal property viewings, you must allocate time each time, not only for the tours themselves but also for the commute.
Furthermore, travel costs become a significant consideration, especially for potential buyers coming from afar. Not only do expenses for fuel or train tickets contribute, but occasionally, the cost of an overnight hotel stay can also be a factor. Such additional expenses may discourage some buyers, ultimately leading them to forego an in-person viewing.
Arranging appointments can also complicate matters. These must be arranged not only between you and the prospective buyers, but in some cases also with the current owners.
When is a virtual tour the better choice?
Virtual tours can be a good choice in many situations – here are some examples:
- Busy potential buyers: For people short on time, online viewings offer a time-saving alternative that can be easily arranged on short notice. Even spontaneous changes to appointments are not a problem.
- International clientele: Since travel is eliminated, virtual tours are an ideal solution for potential buyers who live farther away. This means that you can reach a broader, global audience without the inconvenience of physical travel, making your property accessible to international clients as well.
- Simple and flexible access: Virtual viewings can be accessed from anywhere—whether you’re at home, on the go, using a smartphone or a computer. This ease of access ensures that even properties located in hard-to-reach areas are readily available to potential buyers, offering an unparalleled level of convenience.
Virtual tours are modern, flexible, and straightforward. In addition, 360-degree viewings are highly versatile – for example, virtual tours can be created for new constructions even before building begins. At Visualista.ch, we develop 360° visualizations for new properties based on floor plans, allowing you to kick off your real estate marketing efforts even before the first shovel hits the ground.
When should real estate agents rely on traditional viewings?
Traditional in-person home viewings can be useful in the following cases, among others:
- Special properties: In some cases, personal viewings can provide added value. This applies, for instance, to high-end properties that attract an exclusive clientele looking for individualized attention. Additionally, for historic buildings with particularly beautiful details and a rich history, traditional viewings are indispensable.
- Complex layouts: In the case of large properties or those with intricate floor plans, an in-person guided tour can help potential buyers fully grasp the spatial arrangement. This deeper understanding of how the various rooms and areas connect leads to a more complete and accurate impression of the property.
Especially when buyers feel uncertain, an in-person property tour can be very beneficial. It gives you the opportunity to speak directly with the interested party, fostering a relationship of trust and helping to alleviate any doubts they may have.
Can virtual tours and traditional visits be combined?
Combining personal property viewings with a 3D tour creates a comprehensive strategy that gives your real estate marketing a competitive edge. Traditional viewings foster direct, personal connections and address any questions or uncertainties in real time, while 3D tours offer the flexibility for potential buyers to explore the property at their leisure. This dual approach caters to diverse buyer preferences, overcomes geographical and scheduling constraints, and ultimately delivers a more immersive and effective property presentation.
The two methods complement each other perfectly. A virtual tour provides prospective buyers with an initial impression and the opportunity to gather information beforehand, allowing them to non-committally determine if the property is truly of interest. Consequently, as an agent, you may receive fewer viewing requests, but those that do come in are more likely to be from qualified buyers. This approach ultimately saves you both time and effort.
Most potential buyers also appreciate being able to explore your property in a variety of ways. They can decide for themselves whether they want to do so digitally or online.
What is the cost of implementing virtual tours compared to traditional tours?
At first glance, implementing a 3D virtual tour for your property might seem more expensive than a personal guided tour. However, with Visualista.ch you only pay CHF 299 for an apartment and CHF 399 for a house. This fee includes Matterport hosting for six months, after which it costs CHF 10 per month. This initial investment not only makes your property more accessible to a broader audience but also enhances your marketing efforts in the long run.
This investment pays off: a virtual tour can accompany you throughout the entire property selling process. Once created, it can be used repeatedly, meaning that the effort and costs remain the same no matter how many prospective buyers view the property.
In a traditional viewing, you need to consider several cost factors. Your time and travel expenses quickly add up, and the more tours you conduct, the higher these costs will be. In contrast, a virtual tour remains a one-time investment that can be used repeatedly, saving you both time and money in the long run.
What trends are influencing the future of property viewings?
Technologies such as Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and 360° photography are paving the way for even more immersive virtual property viewings in the future. Prospective buyers will benefit from a highly detailed look at properties from every angle. With AR, the experience is taken even further by allowing users to customize the interior virtually—for instance, they can change the flooring or rearrange the furniture with just a few clicks, tailoring the space to their personal taste.
The popularity of virtual tours is also driven by global trends: by opting for an online viewing, prospective buyers can not only save on travel costs but also act in a more sustainable manner.
Digitalization and technological trends are ensuring that virtual tours become the standard in the future. By offering an online property viewing, you not only meet the expectations of potential homebuyers but also create the ideal conditions for a persuasive and effective property presentation.
Offer your prospects an immersive experience with the 360° Virtual Reality Tour from Visualista.ch. Schedule an appointment today or explore inspiring examples in our lookbook.
