Charlie's Chatter

February 16, 2024

REAL ESTATE SALES CHANGES

The real-estate tech revolution: Digits more than driving

In our ever-evolving landscape of real estate, the last three decades saw a hurricane of progress in the approach to buying homes.

We used to go through newspapers and drive around, where each wrong turn was a chance to discover something new. Now we look at our smart phones when we should be working. Home-buying has been revolutionized by technological advancements and changing human behaviors and expectations.

The era of information (1994-2004)

Rewind to the early 1990s when people would drive around looking for signs in neighborhoods they were interested in, or looked through newspapers. Eventually they would contact a real estate agent and start visiting properties. The agent would find a few more listings and when the right one came up, the client would buy.

Basically what was needed was a car, a local real estate agent, print advertisements and signs. There was bad coffee at open houses, grainy pictures in the paper and the smell of cigarettes in the agent’s car.

As the Internet started to develop in the late 1990s, it changed how people searched for homes. Websites with property listings emerged, offering buyers the chance to view homes from the comfort of their own home. However, these websites were often rudimentary, with limited photos and information. It was not great…yet.

The quantum leap (2005-2015)

This time redefined the digital landscape in the real estate market. With smartphones and the proliferation of high-speed Internet, real estate websites became more sophisticated. High-resolution pictures, detailed property descriptions and virtual tours started to become the norm. Power shifted from real estate agents to buyers, who now had unprecedented access to the market.

Buyers' expectations also began to change. They wanted all the information and they wanted it now. We had online mortgage calculators popping up everywhere and digital mortgage applications made an appearance.

Today's “swipe right” era (2016-present)

Things have really changed, artificial intelligence allows photographers to quickly and inexpensively capture floor plans, create interactive floor plans, and virtual reality tours now allow buyers to “walk through” properties without leaving their homes. Big data and artificial intelligence are being used to predict (or push) market trends and suggest properties to prospective buyers based on their preferences and past behavior.

Agents and sellers are using social media platforms for targeted advertising and engaging with potential buyers through live videos and interactive posts. With virtual tours and e-signatures, you can buy a home without leaving the one you’re in.

Keep in mind how most people find a property to buy. The reason all this is important is because in order to sell your home, you need to understand how people look for a home to buy.

Some still drive around neighborhoods and look for signs and open houses. But the overwhelming majority look online. Typically they do a search, including parameters such as how many bedrooms, bathrooms, square feet, etc they want. They want to tour the homes before leaving the comfort of their home!!

 

January 9, 2023

What is a Real Estate Virtual Tour and Why is it Important for Selling Properties

In the real estate industry, presenting properties in an engaging and immersive manner is crucial for attracting potential buyers. One of the most effective tools in achieving this is a real estate virtual tour. This article will explore what a real estate virtual tour entails and why it is becoming increasingly important for selling properties.

Understanding Real Estate Virtual Tours

A real estate virtual tour is a digital representation of a property that allows potential buyers to explore and experience the space virtually. It typically involves a series of high-quality images or videos that provide a comprehensive and interactive view of the property. Virtual tours can be accessed through various platforms, including websites, mobile applications, and virtual reality (VR) devices.

Virtual tours are designed to offer an immersive experience that goes beyond static images or conventional property descriptions. They allow potential buyers to navigate through different rooms, examine details, and get a sense of the property’s layout and ambiance. With the advancement of technology, virtual tours now also incorporate interactive elements such as hotspots, floor plans, and additional information about the property.

The Importance of Real Estate Virtual Tours for Selling Properties

Enhanced Engagement: Virtual tours provide a more engaging and interactive experience for potential buyers compared to static images or written descriptions. By allowing viewers to virtually walk through the property, they can visualize themselves in the space and develop an emotional connection to it.

1. Increased Accessibility: Virtual tours overcome the limitations of physical distance and time constraints. Potential buyers can explore properties at their convenience from anywhere in the world, eliminating the need for in-person visits. This accessibility expands the reach of real estate listings and attracts a larger pool of potential buyers.
   
   
2. Time and Cost Savings: Virtual tours streamline the property viewing process by allowing potential buyers to narrow down their options before scheduling physical visits. This saves time for both buyers and real estate agents, as they can focus on properties that genuinely interest the buyer. Additionally, virtual tours reduce the need for multiple property visits, resulting in cost savings for all parties involved.
   
   
3. Accurate Property Representation: Real estate virtual tours provide a realistic and accurate representation of the property. Potential buyers can assess the property’s condition, layout, and features more effectively, reducing the chances of misinterpretation or disappointment during physical visits.
   
   
4. Competitive Advantage: Incorporating virtual tours into property listings gives real estate agents and companies a competitive edge. It demonstrates a commitment to embracing innovative technologies and providing a modern and immersive experience to potential buyers. In a competitive market like India, real estate virtual tour companies play a crucial role in helping properties stand out among the crowd.

The real estate market in the U.S is experiencing rapid growth, with increasing demand for innovative and effective marketing solutions. Snap2Close caters to this demand by offering comprehensive virtual tour services to property developers, agents, and sellers.

We employ skilled photographers, videographers, and technicians who specialize in capturing and creating immersive virtual tours. We utilize state-of-the-art equipment and software to ensure high-quality visuals, smooth navigation, and interactive features. Snap2Close also provides customized solutions, including branding, integration with property listings, and analytics to track viewer engagement.

Conclusion

Real estate virtual tours have become an integral part of the property selling process, offering a compelling and immersive experience for potential buyers. With the convenience, engagement, and cost savings they provide, virtual tours have transformed the way properties are marketed and sold. In our competitive real estate market, virtual tour companies play a vital role in helping sellers.

September 23, 2022

As part of our new marketing campaign, Kaitlin asked me if I would start a monthly chat about our industry and its trends. That question in itself brings up many interesting questions about what industry we are in. We say that we are Real Estate Photographers, but is that the best term?

History tells us an interesting tale.

Before the Internet, MLS postings were published monthly in booklets, which did not include photos of the exterior or interior of the home. The birth of the Internet changed this, but not until technology moved beyond dial-up connections to higher speed connections with DSL rolling out in 2000.

 

 

In 2005, the magic of the Internet and companies such as Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia and others opened many tools allowing homebuyers the unique opportunity to view MLS listings from their homes.

This single point in time radically changed how the real estate industry worked. Homebuyers found a new freedom with home searches from the privacy of their own homes. Of course this changed the procedure of how agents listed homes on the MLS. Simple text descriptions were no longer sufficient. Now they needed to add photos to their listings. This marked the beginning of the Real Estate Photography Industry.

The term Real Estate Photography has been prominent ever since. However, changing times may suggest that we explore another term.

Let me explain why.

In early 2010, we truly began to see the launch of higher speed Internet, and by 2020 many locations could receive download speeds of close to 1 gigabit per second. This breakthrough in Internet speed allowed real estate photographers to explore other visual media formats to help their clients market listings.

The first breakthrough was video, as outlets such as YouTube allowed efficient playback of high quality High Definition (HD) or 4K videos. (Sample) Hmmm, do you think the term Real Estate Photography & Videography is a bit long?

The next evolution was three-dimensional tours. While Matterport is probably the only true 3D Tour, the term 3D Tour has been widely used by many companies offering linked 360° panoramic photos together. In the United States, Matterport and Zillow pretty much own this market.

So now we have Real Estate Photographers, Videographers & 3D Tour Creators.

But wait, now floor plans have become the 2nd most popular visual feature that homebuyers want to see. Thank you CubiCasa!!

So now our industry is Real Estate Photography, Videography, 3D Tours and Floor Plans. Oops, I left out that we provide single property websites as well!

So the question we ask ourselves today is whether we are a real estate photography company or a real estate media company???

Since our business cards and new brochures say we are a real estate photography company then we will ride that industry term for now. However, I am betting that you will soon see the new real estate media term picking up speed. Please feel free to share your thoughts by emailing Charlie at Charlie@Snap2Close.com