Virtual Reality Tours: The Future of Real Estate Showings

The real estate field is at a turning point where it could become powered by technology. VR property showings are changing how properties are shown to potential buyers. With advancements in technology, prospective buyers will have the ability to move through properties without physically visiting them. Rather than meeting in person, buyers can have a rich, immersive experience while forwarding their potential transaction. By providing the convenience of VR tours, agents save valuable time for their clients and themselves while expanding the market reach beyond geographical constraints

In a 3D virtual world, property viewers are free to experience the space and view the property in whichever direction they choose, while also getting to see different possibilities of décor or design and to make an emotional connection to the property from anywhere in the world. It is becoming essential for real estate professionals wishing to set themselves apart from the market to adopt enhanced technologies, like virtual open houses.

Virtual reality tours vs. traditional property showings

Virtual reality tours are transforming the real estate industry by offering an immersive alternative to showing properties on a conventional basis, fundamentally altering the way buyers experience potential homes. While physical showings require prospective buyers to be present at a designated time to view potential homes, virtual reality (VR) technology allows buyers to view properties from anywhere, at any time, which is unprecedented in real estate, both regarding convenience and efficiency.

This change represents more than a new marketing tool; it revolutionizes the way real estate showings happen, positing solutions to long-standing issues in the field, as well as opportunities for buyers and sellers alike. We have also compared the advantages of showing properties acting in a realistic way, such as VR tours, to traditional property showings:

How is virtual reality changing real estate showings?

Real estate showings have changed drastically with virtual reality (VR) becoming more mainstream. VR is adding efficiency and increasing exposure like never before. A 2024 National Association of Realtors survey shows that properties with VR tours receive 87% more views than properties with regular photos. More views lead to more results, such as properties with VR tours selling 31% faster and at price averages of 9% greater than properties sold through traditional marketing.

Virtual reality tours are revolutionizing real estate showings by enabling potential buyers to take immersive, interactive tours of properties from anywhere in the world, eliminating geographical barriers and saving significant time for both agents and clients. This technological transformation is increasing property visibility, accelerating sales cycles, and providing unprecedented convenience that allows buyers to make more confident decisions while helping sellers showcase their properties to a wider audience with minimal disruption.

Buyers are clearly drawn to this alternative, as a 2023 study from Zillow revealed that about 79% of potential millennial and Gen-Z homebuyers said they would consider purchasing a property sight-unseen if an in-depth VR property showing was accessible.

Additionally, since 2018, the costs to produce VR technology have been halved, making VR technology more ubiquitous than ever. Industry professionals predict that by 2027, VR tours will be standard for more than 90% of residential property listings.

8 benefits of virtual reality tours for real estate showings

The real estate business is undergoing a dramatic change as virtual reality (VR) tours change how properties are displayed to prospective buyers. VR home tours have tremendous benefits over traditional property viewings since they provide engaging virtual experiences that harness supporting technology to address long-standing challenges and provide valuable solutions. Benefits of efficient time management, the potential by a far larger market, visualization, and facilitating convenience for sellers all dictate that virtual/augmented reality will become core competencies for today's real estate professionals.

1. Time Efficiency
   • Buyers can tour multiple properties in minutes without travel
   • Agents can showcase properties without being physically present
   • Eliminates scheduling conflicts and reduces showing coordination
2. Expanded Market Reach
   • Attracts international and out-of-state buyers
   • Enables relocation clients to view properties from their current location
   • Increases overall listing visibility and potential buyer pool
3. Cost Savings
   • Reduces agent transportation expenses and time
   • Decreases property preparation frequency
   • Minimizes wear and tear on properties from frequent showings
4. Enhanced Visualization
   • Allows buyers to revisit properties repeatedly for decision-making
   • Enables digital staging to show potential of empty spaces
   • Permits visualization of renovation possibilities and customization
5. Competitive Advantage
   • Properties with VR tours typically receive more inquiries
   • Demonstrates technological savviness of listing agents
   • Creates memorable property experiences that stand out
6. Buyer Qualification
   • Pre-screens serious buyers before physical tours
   • Reduces time spent with casual browsers
   • Increases quality of in-person showings
7. Seller Convenience
   • Minimizes disruption to sellers' daily lives
   • Reduces security concerns from multiple strangers entering the home
   • Allows property to remain on market during renovations or tenant occupancy
8. Environmental Benefits
   • Reduces carbon emissions from transportation
   • Decreases overall energy consumption related to property showings
   • Supports sustainability initiatives in real estate industry

10 steps for implementing VR tours for real estate

Integrating virtual reality tours into your real estate practice serves as a strategic investment that can greatly improve your marketing capacity and create better experiences for your clients. This ten-step process is a holistic road map to address ten steps for real estate practitioners to leverage this powerful technology, from figuring out what equipment to use and what success metrics to measure.

1. Research and Select Technology
   • Evaluate 360° cameras, VR platforms, and hosting solutions
   • Compare subscription vs. one-time purchase options
   • Assess compatibility with your existing website and MLS listings
2. Acquire Necessary Equipment
   • Purchase a quality 360° camera (Matterport, Ricoh Theta, or Insta360)
   • Obtain a sturdy tripod for stable imaging
   • Consider lighting equipment for consistent illumination
3. Develop Technical Skills
   • Learn camera operation and shooting techniques
   • Master software for processing and editing VR content
   • Understand embedding and sharing functionalities
4. Create a Capture Protocol
   • Establish a property preparation checklist
   • Determine optimal camera height and placement points
   • Plan logical room sequence and navigation flow
5. Capture Property Content
   • Remove clutter and stage the property appropriately
   • Ensure consistent lighting throughout the space
   • Systematically photograph each room from strategic positions
6. Process and Edit the Tour
   • Stitch images together using specialized software
   • Add hotspots, information tags, and navigation points
   • Include property details and calls-to-action
7. Integration and Distribution
   • Embed tours on your website and listing platforms
   • Incorporate tours into MLS listings when possible
   • Share through social media and email marketing
8. Provide Client Access Options
   • Create QR codes linking to virtual tours
   • Offer VR headset experiences in your office
   • Enable mobile-friendly viewing capabilities
9. Train Your Team
   • Educate all staff on showcasing and referencing VR tours
   • Develop scripts for highlighting VR tour availability
   • Create systems for tracking VR tour effectiveness
10. Measure and Optimize Results
    • Track viewing statistics and engagement metrics
    • Gather feedback from buyers and sellers
    • Continuously refine your approach based on performance data

Future trends in virtual reality and real estate

The merging of virtual reality with real estate is advancing at an unprecedented speed, ready to radically change the way things are completed in the industry. As virtual open houses become more affordable and easier to use, their usage in real estate will continue to deepen beyond simple property tours.

The next frontier will include AI-enhanced virtual reality experiences that learn the viewer's preferences and highlight the features of those properties. Developers will use virtual reality for preconstruction sales, giving buyers a chance to customize finishes and layouts before the project breaks ground. Multi-user virtual reality settings will allow agents and remote clients to tour properties together and maintain the collaborative entity that is part of the traditional showing practice.

Possibly the most transformative characteristic of blockchain-enabled VR applications is the security of virtual property transactions; transactions are expected to decrease close time from weeks to days. The metaverse is a whole new realm, and in some ways, digital real estate is martyring the traditional lines between the physical and digital property markets and bringing in some prevalent domestic investment.

The takeaway here for real estate professionals is that the adoption of VR home tours is moving from a competitive advantage to an industry standard. The professionals that make the leap into these two technologies ahead of others will be in a better position to operate in tomorrow's market, which is moving to virtual and digital speeds. The question is no longer if virtual reality is going to change real estate, but how fast and widespread it will change.