The simple answer is that while a virtual tour isn’t better than the real thing most of the time, there are times when it is.
These times are usually when the real thing isn’t available or within easy reach, or when it’s too busy, crowded or even dangerous for most of the working week!
A great substitute
If you’re looking to move overseas, for example, then a virtual tour of a number of properties will help you to narrow down the list of prospects, saving you time and effort. Virtual tours are brilliant for domestic house-hunting as well, because if you’re familiar with fish-eye lens trickery, you can head straight to a more realistic viewing.
You can take your time
One thing about property viewing is that people can feel rushed, especially if they know that the real estate agent has other people to show around. Starting off with a virtual tour – or even taking one after you’ve seen the real thing – offers more time and lets viewers return to pick over details.
A virtual tour can work brilliantly for nervous visitors
Many dentists and doctors offer virtual tours of their practices so that nervous patients can familiarise themselves with the inside of the building. This, for lots of phobic patients, makes it easier to take the real-life step into the practice.
The extra time on the tour increases the feeling of ownership
Visitors can spend anything up to an hour on a virtual real estate tour, pootling around from room to room. This time means they feel much more connected to the property, more so than they feel during a rushed viewing and certainly more than they do by looking at photos. This sense of ownership can lead to offers coming in thick and fast.
It’s not just about the visitors
Virtual tours are actually better for business owners and estate agents because once the tour is produced and goes live, it’s there for as long as necessary. This means that nervous patients feel better, house-hunters have a quicker turnaround and people with mobility issues know at a glance if a café or shop can accommodate them.