{"id":22614,"date":"2023-08-25T14:12:35","date_gmt":"2023-08-25T14:12:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.anthonydidonato.net\/wordpress\/?p=22614"},"modified":"2023-08-25T14:12:36","modified_gmt":"2023-08-25T14:12:36","slug":"why-invest-in-360-degree-tours-and-how-to-get-started","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.anthonydidonato.net\/wordpress\/why-invest-in-360-degree-tours-and-how-to-get-started\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Invest in 360-Degree Tours and How to Get Started"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

360-degree tours give listings an extra edge and weed out the window shoppers from serious buyers. So now the question is, do you hire a professional or create your own?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I was an early adopter of 360-degree tours for listings in 2014 because I saw both the value in distinguishing myself from the competition and the benefits for buyers and sellers alike. We\u2019ve used them for every listing no matter the price point, and our portfolio includes over 120 tours across various platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today there are more options than ever to capture and display listings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So why should you be using 360-degree technology?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhile pre-COVID, virtual tours may have been a nice-to-have, today they are a must-have(link is external)<\/a> to help differentiate a real estate agent from competitors,\u201d says Dan Smigrod, founder of We Get Around Network, a resource focused on helping real estate professionals with 3D and 360 platforms. \u201cPotential home sellers are starting their journey online.\u201d

By not utilizing 360-degree technology, you may not even know you are missing business opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cProspective buyers who contact an agent after taking an online virtual tour are far more likely to be serious about buying the property than the neighbor and their friends who show up at an open house for something to do over the course of a weekend,\u201d says Brad Filliponi, co-founder of BoxBrownie(link is external)<\/a>., a 2018 National Association of REALTORS\u00ae REACH partner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Working With a Professional<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

According to Smigrod, more than 50% of all real estate agents outsource real estate photography and virtual tours to professional real estate photographers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs a real estate agent, if you have a multimillion-dollar listing, are time-poor or want ultra-premium results, you should always hire a professional,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hiring a professional to create a standalone 360-degree tour will typically cost around $200. The 360-degree tour service is often sold either as part of a marketing package or as a package add on. Searching for local providers in my area in Minnesota, the results showed that several companies offer packages that include photos, a virtual tour and a floor plan for between $340 and $475. Most quoted a turnaround time between 24 and 48 hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many camera providers also have a network of photographers, with a directory on their websites where interested clients can book directly with the photographer. For example, Asteroom(link is external)<\/a> has on-demand photographers in over 70 metro areas. Clients can book with the photographer for a $299 package that includes a 3D tour, floor plan, 30 MLS shots and virtual twilight shots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going the DIY Route<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Creating DIY 360-degree tours isn\u2019t as out of reach as it may seem. In fact, Smigrod says he\u2019d prefer to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn this piping-hot market, with such easy access to the 360-degree cameras and photo editing technology, if I were [an agent], I would definitely be shooting 360-degree virtual tours myself,\u201d he says. \u201cIt gives you an instant advantage over your competition.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is an upfront cost to think about. Going DIY means acquiring the necessary technology if needed and covering ongoing hosting fees. Smigrod recommends deciding on which platform(link is external)<\/a> first, then picking out a camera and additional equipment. The process to create, capture and edit a tour is different for each platform, and the way the properties are displayed and navigated differs, so choose your preferred platform and then find a compatible camera.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hosts charge either a flat fee or an ongoing monthly payment. BoxBrownie offers a flat fee per tour, starting at $16. Asteroom is $59 per tour. Ricoh(link is external)<\/a> costs around $45 a month, and Matterport(link is external)<\/a>\u2019s most popular plan is $69 a month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then it\u2019s time to pick equipment. For DIY 360-degree tours you\u2019ll need:<\/p>\n\n\n\n