Virtual Tours or Video Walkthroughs: How to Choose the Best Option for You

When it comes to real estate listings and ways to showcase a building’s value to potential buyers, virtual tours and video walkthroughs are among the most effective tools. Each of these options provides a 360-degree view of a space. At the same time, there are a number of aspects and differences between the video walkthrough VS virtual tour that you need to consider to make the best decision.

In this article, we will take a closer look at what walkthroughs and 3D virtual tours are, as well as their features, advantages, and disadvantages. In addition, we will look at examples of businesses using these tools to better understand how each technology can be applied in the real estate industry.

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What You Should Know about Video Walkthroughs and Virtual Tours

Let’s begin by defining virtual tours and video walkthroughs.

A real estate walkthrough video is a recorded video of a property, often accompanied by music and narration. This content allows clients to examine the property and its key features, whilst providing a more detailed understanding of the layout. Whether it’s a commercial property or a small flat/house, walkthroughs work perfectly for any type of property. These high-quality videos are extremely valuable for estate agents, increasing the chances of a successful sale.

Virtual property tours provide an immersive experience, allowing users to easily navigate through a 3D property via smartphone or computer. These tours are created using specialised software and are a precise 3D space copy of the property. Furthermore, to enhance the virtual experience, tours often include functions such as clickable hotspots or pop-up text for better understanding of the property’s features and value. One of the main advantages of this technology is the ability to provide a sense of the property without the need for an in-person viewing. According to research, properties that include virtual tours in their listings can sell for up to 4-9% higher prices and remain on the real estate market for 20-30% fewer days.

Pros and Cons of Virtual Tours

Panoramic images are used to create virtual tours, which provide an interactive experience, and also allow you to look around in all directions and zoom in on various details when moving from room to room.

The benefits of 360 digital property tours include:

  • Immersive Experience. Prospective buyers can thoroughly examine objects at their own pace, fostering a sense of autonomy and engagement in the viewing process.
  • 360 View. Virtual tours ensure a comprehensive view of the space, capturing every corner and feature in detail.
  • 24/7 Accessibility. Virtual tours remove traditional viewing constraints, allowing potential buyers to explore properties whenever suits them best.
  • Enhanced Engagement. The immersive nature of virtual tours tends to keep potential clients browsing for longer periods, increasing conversion rates.

Cons:

  • Cost. The creation of professional 360-degree tours requires substantial upfront costs, encompassing both specialised equipment and software solutions.
  • Technical Expertise. Creating and editing virtual tours demands specific skills and knowledge that may necessitate additional training or external support.
  • Bandwidth Considerations. The high-resolution imagery essential for quality virtual tours can create loading delays, particularly problematic for users with limited internet connectivity.
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Pros and Cons of Video Walkthroughs

Being pre-recorded videos, real estate video walkthroughs provide a guided tour of the property, allowing viewers to speed up or slow down the video for a quick overview or to study certain aspects in more detail.

Advantages of video walkthroughs include:

  • Easier Production. Walkthroughs offer a streamlined creation process that’s notably quicker than developing 360-degree virtual tours.
  • Storytelling. Such videos excel in creating compelling narratives through the thoughtful combination of voiceovers, background music, and visual transitions.
  • Cross-platform Solutions. Such video content seamlessly shares across multiple channels, from social media platforms to property websites and direct email marketing.
  • Speed. For time-conscious buyers, walkthrough videos deliver a concise property overview in just a few minutes.

Cons: 

  • Less Interactive Experience. Unlike virtual tours, viewers must follow a predetermined path through the property, potentially missing areas of personal interest.
  • Less Detail. The linear nature of video walkthrough means some property features or angles might not receive much attention, leaving potential gaps for interested buyers.
  • Production Quality. Poor shooting or editing can significantly diminish the property’s appeal, potentially deterring buyers rather than attracting them.
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Aspects to Consider When Choosing Video Walkthroughs or Virtual Tours

When considering a video walkthrough vs virtual tour, it’s essential to first look at the advantages of each approach.

The financial aspect often plays an important role, as creating a video walkthrough typically requires less investment compared to a virtual tour, making it an attractive choice for those working with limited budgets.

The property’s features also influence the choice of presentation format. For flats and small houses, a quality video walkthrough may be entirely sufficient. However, for large commercial properties, a virtual tour can more comprehensively showcase all the advantages of the spaces and layout.

It’s also worth considering your potential buyers. A technically savvy audience will certainly appreciate the interactivity and self-guided exploration opportunities that a virtual tour offers. Meanwhile, for clients less familiar with modern technology, a traditional video walkthrough might be more convenient.

To summarise, 3D virtual tours are better suited for:

  • Immersive experiences and detailed exploration
  • High-quality production content
  • Audiences who wish to interact with the property

Professional video walkthroughs are better suited for:

  • Quick property overviews
  • Content distribution on social media platforms
  • Audiences who prefer guided tours and storytelling
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How Businesses Are Using Video Walkthroughs and Virtual Tours

Today, businesses in the real estate industry often use virtual tours and video walkthroughs both for more detailed and accessible presentations and to meet the growing demand due to the popularity of online listings and Internet property searches.

Tours and videos of properties allow potential buyers to inspect the object in advance, which helps make informed decisions since scheduling an in-person visit after viewing the content often means increased interest in that particular property.

In addition to real estate, other businesses also resort to using these technologies. For example, Tower Bridge in London offers virtual tours, allowing visitors to explore the bridge’s history and engineering in more detail.

How You Can Use Video Walkthroughs and Virtual Tours in Real Estate

For estate agents, virtual tours, digital twins and video walkthroughs have become valuable marketing tools. Most often, industry professionals opt for walkthroughs when showcasing individual properties, whilst using virtual tours when it comes to conveying a sense of a neighbourhood or community to potential buyers.

By partnering with a studio for a tour or walkthrough production, agents can more effectively promote their listings and engage with diverse audiences. High-quality content and professional 360-degree cameras help highlight all key property features, revealing its potential and value to interested buyers.

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Conclusion

Both virtual tours and video walkthroughs serve agents for various purposes in property marketing. By leveraging the capabilities of each technology, you can determine the most effective approach to showcase your property and captivate prospective buyers. 

Whether the task is to offer better interactivity or add narrative to a video, the ultimate goal is to deliver a comprehensive and engaging presentation that truly captures the property’s essence and appeal.

Contact VisEngine to learn more about property virtual tours and walkthroughs. 

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