There are many options when it comes to tours! This page is here to help explain and show the differences.
The main question I get with tours is, "Is this a video tour or a virtual tour, and what's the difference?"
Here's how I define the two options:
- A "video tour" is something that you click on once and then watch a short movie/video that takes you on a tour of the home/property;
- A "virtual tour" is something that you click/rotate/navigate through a property on your own.
Either kind of tour can be used and uploaded to RMLS sites as a URL link, or embedded into a website as HTML code.
"Video" tours can also be sent as a video (mp4) file, and used/uploaded to sites where video files are accepted.
Here's how I define the two options:
- A "video tour" is something that you click on once and then watch a short movie/video that takes you on a tour of the home/property;
- A "virtual tour" is something that you click/rotate/navigate through a property on your own.
Either kind of tour can be used and uploaded to RMLS sites as a URL link, or embedded into a website as HTML code.
"Video" tours can also be sent as a video (mp4) file, and used/uploaded to sites where video files are accepted.
Virtual Tours
I offer three types of Virtual Tour: Zillow, Matterport, and Cubicasa
You can learn more about all three below:
You can learn more about all three below:
ZILLOW Virtual Tour
$25 base price + 5¢ per Sq/Ft
If interior photos are requested, the $25 base price is removed
Zillow tours are a virtual tour made specifically for Zillow's platform (and their "Showtime+" listings), but will also work on other sites like Trulia, RedFin, etc. It is prominently displayed on Zillow listings when people are searching for homes with a virtual tour
It shows you a floor plan of where you are looking in the home, and you can click from room to room and click/hold to look around
This virtual tour is probably the best option when it comes to seeing exterior areas/acreage of a property, as it can include outdoor spaces and multiple buildings (if there is a spare guest cottage, or a separate workshop, or acreage, it can show everything)
Zillow tours are a virtual tour made specifically for Zillow's platform (and their "Showtime+" listings), but will also work on other sites like Trulia, RedFin, etc. It is prominently displayed on Zillow listings when people are searching for homes with a virtual tour
It shows you a floor plan of where you are looking in the home, and you can click from room to room and click/hold to look around
This virtual tour is probably the best option when it comes to seeing exterior areas/acreage of a property, as it can include outdoor spaces and multiple buildings (if there is a spare guest cottage, or a separate workshop, or acreage, it can show everything)
MATTERPORT Virtual Tour
$25 base price + 10¢ per Sq/Ft
If interior photos are requested, the $25 base price is removed
Matterport creates a 3D dollhouse image of the home, where you can peel away the roof/ceiling and look down into the actual home
The dollhouse can be viewed/rotated/zoomed in on using the virtual tour, but also turned into a jpeg image for simplicity
It can measure/display room dimensions, which is helpful for getting an idea of what would fit in the home
It struggles with multiple separate buildings on the same tour or having lots of exterior scans (it does not do as well going outside)
Matterport creates a 3D dollhouse image of the home, where you can peel away the roof/ceiling and look down into the actual home
The dollhouse can be viewed/rotated/zoomed in on using the virtual tour, but also turned into a jpeg image for simplicity
It can measure/display room dimensions, which is helpful for getting an idea of what would fit in the home
It struggles with multiple separate buildings on the same tour or having lots of exterior scans (it does not do as well going outside)
CUBICASA Virtual Tour
$50 Flat Rate
This tour is only available if you are already requesting interior photos (it only works with photos added into it)
Cubicasa virtual tours are the most simplistic, yet most intuitive and user-friendly method of my options for virtually touring a home
It shows a virtual 2D floor plan of the home, and it places the photos of the home onto the floor plan
It is mostly limited to showing interior photos/spaces of a home, though I do make sure to have the front image of the home shown
It also includes a floor plan (jpeg image) and home report (PDF document), listing the home's details and room specifics
Cubicasa virtual tours are the most simplistic, yet most intuitive and user-friendly method of my options for virtually touring a home
It shows a virtual 2D floor plan of the home, and it places the photos of the home onto the floor plan
It is mostly limited to showing interior photos/spaces of a home, though I do make sure to have the front image of the home shown
It also includes a floor plan (jpeg image) and home report (PDF document), listing the home's details and room specifics
Video Tours
I offer two types of video tours: Standard video and Cubicasa Virtual Video
Standard Video
Price varies from $150-$250 depending on exclusion/inclusion of aerial video
A video with background music and ambient sounds that takes you on a tour of the property and home
It shows the actual home and property, and can be configured to show only the spaces you want shown, in the order you want
Videos are not always advertised or shown as well on sites like Zillow or RedFin when compared to other types of tours
It shows the actual home and property, and can be configured to show only the spaces you want shown, in the order you want
Videos are not always advertised or shown as well on sites like Zillow or RedFin when compared to other types of tours
Cubicasa Video
$25 base price + $225
If interior photos are also requested, the $25 base price is removed
This option creates a virtual/AI rendering of a home, and turns it into a video walkthrough
It also includes everything you would get with the Cubicasa "Virtual Tour" option (floor plans, virtual tour*, home report, etc.)
*The virtual tour is only useful when requested with interior photos
This is a great option when compared to Zillow or Matterport for homes that are cluttered or undergoing final repairs, as the rendered image will remove cluttered items, replicate or replace existing furniture, and show sections that are being repaired in a finished manner. It will accurately depict paint colors, flooring types and colors/patterns, along with fixed furniture (sinks, cabinets, showers, etc.)
I cannot control where a virtual video goes through the home as much as I can with my standard video
This option creates a virtual/AI rendering of a home, and turns it into a video walkthrough
It also includes everything you would get with the Cubicasa "Virtual Tour" option (floor plans, virtual tour*, home report, etc.)
*The virtual tour is only useful when requested with interior photos
This is a great option when compared to Zillow or Matterport for homes that are cluttered or undergoing final repairs, as the rendered image will remove cluttered items, replicate or replace existing furniture, and show sections that are being repaired in a finished manner. It will accurately depict paint colors, flooring types and colors/patterns, along with fixed furniture (sinks, cabinets, showers, etc.)
I cannot control where a virtual video goes through the home as much as I can with my standard video
