How to Engage in Virtual Open Houses

Virtual tours and virtual open houses on social media are quickly becoming a popular option for buyers in place of the traditional open house – and offer an incredible opportunity that benefits the consumer.

The real estate industry is always transforming with the development of new technology, and real estate agents have adopted an array of tools that help them provide increasingly sophisticated services to their customers. Virtual tours and virtual open houses on social media are quickly becoming a popular option for buyers in place of the traditional open house – and offer an incredible opportunity that benefits the consumer.

Expand your Opportunity to View More Homes

Virtual open houses let buyers reach more properties, in more places, by way of various platforms that show tours live via websites, YouTube, FaceTime – and Facebook and Instagram Live. It also allows agents to reach potential buyers while saving consumers the time they would normally spend repeating in-person tours.

Helpful Tips on Exploring the Virtual Real Estate World

Get Familiarized with Different Platforms

With the rapidly changing pace of technology, it may seem daunting for a buyer to know which platform may suit them best in their home-buying journey, whether it’s Facebook Live, YouTube, Skype or other platforms. Many of these platforms have How To guides on their websites to help a consumer navigate their way around an agent’s version of a virtual tour.

Ask a Coldwell Banker Agent for a Virtual Property Tour

Life situations can hamper the time needed to travel to a traditional, in-person open house. Many agents utilize some form of a virtual open house to meet the ever-evolving needs of their customers, so ask your local Coldwell Banker agent for a virtual tour.

“We need to embrace any and all means to help buyers and sellers feel confident and secure right now. I have clients that have been renting and need to be out of their current home by the end of April. The family, who have three children, are concerned they won’t be able to find a home quickly enough. We looked at several homes online together recently, and I’ve set-up showings for them via FaceTime as I tour through the home,” said Jane McAuley, affiliated sales associate with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Atlanta.

Aside from convenience, virtual property tours including drone footage or still shots in a YouTube video can also assist with viewing properties with pools, ponds and lakes, as well as grand acreage. “To enter a gated community of only 22 houses via flyover, filming gives a perspective of the topography of the land, draped in beautiful oaks and palms, leading to a grand finale of a deep-water dock that offers exquisite sunset views of dolphins, birds, and other wildlife that you may not see just walking over the terrain one step at a time,” said Sibita Proctor, an affiliated real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in the Carolinas who has utilized YouTube for large property tours.

Be Ready!

“Consumers should be ready at their computer at a specific time if they have questions for their agent while the virtual tour is going on, along with marking the day and time on your computer’s calendar so you don’t miss it,” said Amy McGee, an affiliated real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Realty in Texas. “Another great way to be synced-in with your agent is to ask what social media platforms they use and follow them on their social media feeds, such as Facebook, YouTube or Instagram for updated information on upcoming virtual open houses.”

And…Virtual Open Houses Benefit Sellers Too!

If you’re selling your home, it offers a more comfortable way to display, market and sell your home without having to vacate for potential buyers every time there’s a viewing appointment. In turn, it provides you with a sense of privacy and safety.