Video Meetings & Virtual Tours: Tools to Leverage Now

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When meeting face-to-face with buyers is a cornerstone of your business, public health measures like social distancing can feel like an overwhelming challenge.

We are in this together, and our commitment to you is stronger than ever. By reaching out to our partners nationwide, we’ve been steadily learning about how COVID-19 has impacted their businesses and how people are adapting to the ever-changing situation.

What we have learned is that while the real estate industry faces great challenges, it’s all happening at a time when the technology you can leverage to help sustain your business is literally at your fingertips.

This guide is designed for anyone who needs alternatives for when showing a property in person is not an option. As the situation in every city is different, customize your approach as needed and always ensure that you’re taking the appropriate steps to keep yourself and your clients safe.

Use what you’ve got: your smartphone

Even when a client cannot view a property in person, there are ways to show it that give them the level of service and information they need to make a confident decision about the home.

The way many builders do this is through a combination of video calls and recorded video tours.

Tools you’ll need:

• A smartphone
• At least one video calling app like FaceTime, Skype or Zoom. Ask your buyer for their preference
• The Zillow 3D Home app

Make the most of your first conversations

Some buyers understandably may decide to postpone their home search, but those moving for new jobs, whose leases are ending or whose families are growing, still need help.

If they’re unable or have hesitations about viewing a home or community in person, this is the time to reassure them that you can keep their search moving and that it’s no inconvenience, which is something buyers may be concerned about.

One way of emphasizing your experience and enthusiasm: If you have any reviews from potential buyers that mention video tours, point those out to your new customers to reiterate your familiarity and willingness to help them in the same way.

There are additional upsides to offering video tours, such as further helping potential buyers expand their searches by offering additional recorded video tours of other model homes and the community.

Options for touring at a distance

There’s more than one way to give potential buyers virtual tours, and what works best may vary by individual. Some options include:

• A live video walkthrough in which you talk to the buyer in real time and can answer questions on the spot
• A recorded video, to be followed by a live call for further discussion and questions
• A shared Zillow 3D Home tour, followed by a phone call, video chat, text or email

How to make a video tour in 30 minutes

Take the first 10 minutes to familiarize yourself with the layout of the house, turn on all the lights, open all the doors, and plot your route. Typically, people start at the front door, tour the first floor, followed by the second floor as applicable, and end in the backyard. If you’re recording a tour to share later, put your phone in airplane mode so you aren’t distracted or interrupted.

Everything that you’d point out in a video tour is the same as what you’d be showing a potential buyer in person, but don’t forget to call out some of the areas that often get overlooked like the garage, closets and the community itself.

Narrate the tour as you go, commenting on everything, including flooring, finishes, and ceiling treatments. Open closet doors and comment on the available storage. Remember to call out the specific things that the buyer is looking for in the home, and seize upon unique opportunities to build rapport.

A Zillow 3D Home tour is another option for providing a virtual touring experience. You can use the app to create and upload the tour to your potential buyer’s listing for free, or pair a 3D camera like the Ricoh Theta to create high-quality tours faster. You get a link that you can use to share the tour directly with your clients, and you can publish the tour to Zillow and Trulia directly as well.

Important reminders

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) offers guidelines on how you can help keep yourself and others safe here. Key takeaways for builders include, but are not limited to:

• Maintain a distance of at least six feet from others.
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds minimum.
• Use a hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your face.
• Wear a cloth face mask when around others.

Check with your broker or local MLS for additional guidance specific to your area.

Keeping busy in a slowdown

There are many ways of staying productive now for when things pick back up again.

• As people spend more time at home, they’ll likely spend more time online, so make sure your Zillow Promoted Communities listings and your Builder Profile is up to date.
• Use your social channels to reassure potential buyers and remind them of your ability to continue working with them virtually.
• Build stronger rapport with potential buyers who may have more time on their hands. Send them checklists and reading materials that are relevant to their home search.

Whether you’re continuing to keep your business moving with video and 3D Home tours or need to step back, there are still many ways to engage with customers even when you’re unable to meet in person.

If you have questions or concerns about your advertising, reach out to your Zillow representative or click here.