Today, the concept of the virtual tour to reach homebuyers via the internet is in use by



more and more real estate agents.

These tech-savvy agents know the benefits of giving potential clients a way of touring

homes via the Internet. The virtual tour has come a long way since the first effort, which

consisted of photographs of the front of the home with a few interior shots. Later, some

added music to the static photos in an attempt jazz up their listings and set them apart

from the others.

Following along with advancements in software, the next attempt at the virtual tour

were panoramic 360-degree views of the homes. Some even offer special titles and

easy-listening music. Today this form of virtual reality makes up the great majority of

real estate sites.

Many people view this type of virtual tour as limited because of its reliance on static

photographs.

The next step in virtual tours for real estate listings is the use of video.

Software offered by PlaceTour.com uses full-motion video with smooth transitions, titles

and captions, appropriate background music. Contact information can be prominently

placed in the video.

Benefits of Virtual Tours

? Over 50 percent of online viewers will visit homes after taking a virtual tour.

? The virtual tour stimulates buying decisions.

? Increases the traffic to the homes and recall-value in prospective clients.

A single listing of a static virtual tour using photos can run into thousands of dollars.

Shooting and editing a video of the real estate is much easier. It also adds a touch of

humanity missing from a mere photograph.

It only takes about 15 minutes to shoot a typical real estate video. Depending on the

amount and types of extras, the video can be edited and placed on a Web page ready

for a virtual tour in about half an hour.

Serious real estate agents are aware of how effective modern technology can be in

providing the best possible job for their clients. They know when people visit a real estate

Web site, more than 70 percent of them will drive by or view a home and more than 50

percent of them will tour the house.