7 Features That Add “Wow-Factor” to a 3D Real Estate Walkthrough

Tradition holds that in-person showings are “superior” to digital alternatives. However, with the help of the wow-factors below, you can create a 3D real estate walkthrough that matches and even outperforms a physical tour in a few critical ways.

Let’s assume you’re already leveraging the basic advantages of a 3D real estate tour, such as:

  • Remote showings for long-distance sales
  • Engaging buyers from the convenience of their homes
  • Creating a sense of 360 space no photograph could replicate
  • Showcasing properties anywhere, any time, on any device

These flexible traits have made 360 tour creators and web-based 3D real estate platforms—like DCC-X—incredibly popular in recent years. But a simple 3D visual barely scratches the surface of what’s possible with this technology. Take it just a step or two further, and you can really “wow” your clients.

7 Wow Factors For Your 3D Real Estate Walkthrough

1. Interactive VR Elements

When it comes to ROI, a 3D walkthrough video is valuable—but an interactive 3D real estate VR tour is priceless. 

Basic walkthrough videos give clients a much better sense of what the space looks like than a flat photo gallery. This is fine and good. However, it’s far more engaging to have full control and a suite of interactive elements to manipulate, click, and view.  Kick off your prospect or client’s journey in a 360 VR tour, then include elements such as:

  • Integrated Google Maps
  • A day/night or lights on/off toggle to view alternate lighting
  • High-def image galleries for each viewing location
  • Clickable banners or notes near places of interest (with descriptive text)
  • Buttons in specific locations that will activate audio narration
  • High definition image galleries
  • A “Book a Tour” or “Call an Agent” button for when they’re ready to contact you

These features will keep the tour active and give the viewer the feel of exploring the space.

2. Ambient Sound

Many basic 3D real estate tours are silent.  However, you can create an especially immersive experience with subtle, ambient sound effects such as traffic noises, crowd murmurs, running water, birds chirping, or whatever else might be relevant to the walkthrough location.

3. Interior and Exterior Viewpoints

A 3D virtual tour will feel truly complete if the viewer can proceed in and out of the space for a smooth sense of the transition to the outside world—not to mention a clear perspective of the building exterior.  Make sure your 3D real estate walkthrough spans between both interior and exterior viewpoints for a more complete experience.

4. Realistic Animations

It’s common for a 3D tour to feel like little more than a series of panoramic photographs. A walkthrough video in an empty space might feel similarly lifeless, even though it moves in real-time. Realistic animations craft 3D virtual tours real estate agents and brokers can be truly proud of. Bring the 3D, 360-degree space to life with pedestrians walking by, passing traffic, loitering and conversing businesspeople, a lens flare effect from the sun, moving water in lobby fountains, and other effects that build a dynamic environment.

5. Clickable, Integrated Sales Collateral

A 3D real estate tour is best when it acts as an all-in-one marketing and sales asset. Embed clickable links and downloads into the tour interface—or even in relevant tour locations—to provide clients and prospects with a more comprehensive experience. They’ll have access to all the information they need in one place. Try including these elements into your interactive VR tour: 

  • Links to external websites (such as a development project website or property listing)
  • Clickable PDFs that pop open brochures and sell sheets
  • Links to promotional or walkthrough videos
  • Mortgage calculators
  • 3D floorplans

And speaking of that last possibility...

6. A Detailed Isometric Floorplan

No VR tour or 3D real estate walkthrough is complete without an accompanying floorplan. A 3D isometric floorplan helps your viewer see the forest for the trees, so to speak, and wrap their heads around the big picture of the space. It also shows scale and overall project/space shape in an easily digestible fashion.

7. Toggle-able Alternate Fit-Outs

One of the most exciting advantages of a 3D virtual tour over a physical tour is the ability to change out the furnishings in the space instantaneously. Consider a bare shell version that can swap in real-time with a branded, fully furnished, and purposeful vision of the space (or even several alternatives!).

These options will wow your viewers and help you sell and lease the space with efficiency. Best of all, they’re permanent assets that can be used again and again!

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