As a rental property owner in Long Branch, you know marketing is critical to finding the right tenants. If you haven’t started using virtual tours yet, you’re missing out! Allowing potential tenants to take virtual tours of your rental properties is an excellent way to show them what to expect before they visit.
We will explore the advantages of virtual tours for rental property marketing and why every owner should use them.
Virtual Tour Basics
A virtual tour offers a digital walk-through experience of a rental property. Unlike photos, which are taken from the photographer’s viewpoint, virtual tours provide an in-depth look into every room.
Recent research indicates that renters prefer virtual tours of rental properties. Results from Zumper indicate that over 70% of renters would be comfortable renting an apartment without a physical visit if they could view it through a 3D virtual tour.
Types of Virtual Tours
Virtual tours offer an engaging way for potential tenants to explore your rental properties. They allow potential renters to gauge the space and determine if it fits their needs without an in-person visit.
Virtual tours are categorized into three main types: 360-degree virtual tours, 3D virtual tours, and virtual reality tours.
- 360 Virtual Tour. A 360 virtual tour is made up of a single panoramic image compiled from multiple photographs. These tours allow potential tenants to view an entire room in one image and click and drag to look around. 360 virtual tours are simple and cost-effective to create, making them ideal for property managers new to virtual tours.
- 3D Virtual Tours are more immersive than 360 virtual tours. They enable potential tenants to virtually tour the property as if they were on-site. These tours are created by photographing a rental property extensively and piecing the images together with special software. This may sound complex, but many user-friendly tools and services can assist you. Due to the time and effort involved in creating them, high-end rental properties typically use only three-dimensional virtual tours.
- Virtual Reality Tour. The most immersive and newest type of virtual tour is the virtual reality (VR) tour. These tours enable potential tenants to wear a VR headset and explore the property as if they were walking through it. Although VR tours are still relatively uncommon, they are gaining popularity as VR technology becomes more accessible.
What are the benefits of virtual tours?
- Convenience. Virtual tours offer major relief from the typical hassle of property tours. Potential tenants can view your rental properties comfortably from their homes or during work hours. This is especially beneficial for out-of-state or international renters who find it challenging to schedule physical tours.
- 24/Hour Availability. Virtual tours are accessible to potential tenants 24/7. This allows them to view your rental properties at their convenience, without having to fit into your schedule. It’s a robust tool that empowers them with flexible viewing options.
- Increased Engagement. Evidence shows that virtual tours increase engagement. Potential residents spend more time on websites with virtual tours compared to those without.
- Improved SEO. Besides boosting engagement, virtual tours can enhance your rental property’s SEO. Google favors fresh content, so adding a virtual tour to your property listing is a great way to update content and boost your search ranking.
How to Optimize Your Virtual Tours.
- Quality Matters. Ensure that your images and videos are high-quality, steering clear of low-resolution or blurry photos. To help potential tenants grasp the details of your rental properties, use quality virtual tour content.
- Include a Call to Action. Add a call to action (CTA) at the conclusion of your virtual tour. A CTA is a message or button that motivates potential tenants to take the next step, such as scheduling a showing or reaching out for more information. Adding a CTA makes it more likely that potential tenants will choose to rent from you.
Virtual tours provide potential tenants with a feel for your rental properties without requiring an in-person visit. Real Property Management Performance can aid in marketing your Long Branch properties and improving your chances of finding reliable tenants. Contact us online or call 732-289-9337 today!
Originally Published on July 22, 2022
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