The Value of Virtual Open Houses

The coronavirus pandemic has shifted the way we live life and perform business, and real estate has been no exception to this. In a time where many people are trying to minimize social exposure as much as possible, virtual home tours and open houses have become the new way of conducting real estate online. Both agents and homeowners alike are experiencing the many benefits of utilizing virtual open houses. Perhaps they will become a permanent fixture in the real estate world moving forward. The advantages below certainly explain why they may stick around long term.

Eliminates People “Just-Looking”

Hosting a virtual open house gives you the opportunity to say goodbye to the nosy neighbors who just want to peek inside your house. It also prohibits the onlookers from taking time and attention away from your agent’s actual purpose of the open house-engaging with people who are interested in buying.

Provides Convenience

One of the drawbacks of an open house is the amount of time you need to be out of the home. With a virtual open house, you do not have to leave your house for hours. It also makes things more convenient for your buyers. They can view your home on their lunch break, or in their pajamas at 10 o’clock at night. This accessibility allows your showings to be more valuable by sending over people who are truly interested in the home. It will minimize showings where people aren’t really sure about your property, but come to look anyways.

Wider Reach of Buyers

Traditional open houses restrict the number of people who can come into your home. It is not uncommon to have buyers who are relocating to a new area. These buyers can attend virtual open houses before they are able to travel to the area to view in person.

Virtual Home Tours Can Be Saved

Your agent can save a virtual open house to various platforms allowing your open house to last longer than just four hours on a Sunday afternoon. This will give you much greater access to both buyers and agents.

Stand Out Amongst Competition

A virtual open house really sets your property apart from others. Prospective buyers can develop a true sense of what the property is like. They can trust that what they are seeing is real unlike some real estate photos with a wide lens that distorts the true size of rooms. Virtual open houses are also a strong marketing tool. Houses that are listed with a great marketing strategy create a great perception of value in the mind of a buyer. It portrays the sellers as people who’ve maintained the property well and are motivated to sell.

The number of virtual open houses has increased substantially since the stay at home orders and social distancing guidelines were put into place. However, it is puzzling that we weren’t utilizing technological capabilities to their fullest potential before. It is likely that we will see virtual open houses become a permanent fixture in the home listing process. Reach out to learn more about how I put virtual open houses to work!