Virtual Open House Strategies That Convert Prospects To Buyers

Virtual open houses: a real estate agent’s best friend

Convenient. Cost-efficient. Flexible. Virtual open houses are all these and more, which is why a growing number of real estate agents rely on them to close deals.

That said, the success of your virtual house tour depends a lot on what you do before, during, and after the walkthrough. To help you make a winning presentation each time, take note of these tips and tricks!

Decide what kind of virtual open house you’re doing

Many agents do live virtual walkthroughs so they can better build rapport with participants. Plus, they can answer questions in real time which makes the experience more engaging.

At the same time, other agents also pre-record their virtual open house and simply give participants access on the designated date. This approach gives agents better control over what they do or don’t share about the listing.

Both have their merits and drawbacks, so it’s up to you to decide which one suits you best. Whichever strategy you end up choosing, though, make sure there is a messaging function where people can send in questions or clarifications.

Stage your property

This should go without saying, but you need to stage your listing so it presents well on camera – a must in virtual open houses. Declutter the rooms so they’re nice and clean-looking, and try to depersonalize the space so viewers can better imagine themselves living in the house. People will naturally want to see how much storage space a home offers, so be sure to clean out cabinets, cupboards, and other similar spaces, too.

Prepare your talking points

Heading into any open house — virtual or in-person — unprepared is never a good idea. So well before the big day, make sure to know how you’re going to sell your listing to the attendees. A crucial tip is to prepare a list of talking points so there’s no dead air during the walkthrough. Of course, have the basics down: floor area, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, size of the garage, etc. But also keep an eye out for standout features, like a newly renovated gourmet kitchen or a fully finished basement. Likewise, highlight the house’s ideal location and the nearby amenities or attractions.

Choose the right streaming platform

Your best bet is to use a platform that prospects likely already use, such as Facebook Live, YouTube Live, Google Meets, or Zoom. Requiring participants to download a separate app is an extra hurdle that might turn them away, after all. If you must use a different platform, make sure it offers web browser accessibility, meaning users simply need to visit a certain URL to access your walkthrough – no downloads necessary.

Use a multi-channel approach to promotion

If you want to maximize the number of attendees for your virtual open house, be sure to promote it through various digital channels. Market your open house on all the usual platforms, such as social media, email, and your own website. This multi-channel approach means you can cast a wider net and get more eyeballs when your virtual tour goes live.

Start promoting sooner rather than later

As with most things in real estate, timing is essential. Experts recommend promoting your virtual open house at least four to six weeks ahead. Think of this period as having three phases: awareness, commitment, and reminders. The first seeks to inform people and pique their interest; the second entails registering attendees; and the last one involves sending out reminders to ensure that people actually show up.

Do a trial run

A virtual open house may seem easier than an in-person one, but the technical component introduces new wrinkles you’ll need to sort out beforehand. To begin with, make sure that your internet connection is stable and that the video and audio output is of excellent quality — blurry footage and sound won’t help you sell a home, after all. You’ll also want to practice the flow of the walkthrough. Are you able to spend ample time in each part of the house? Do you know what standout features to point out during the tour? Does the property register well on video?

Hold multiple showings

Just as you would with an in-person open house, make sure to offer multiple tours throughout the day. Doing so allows you to entertain more prospects, which in turn gives you more chances to land a buyer. Moreover, holding several walkthroughs lets you limit the group sizes so you can offer more hands-on attention and answer more questions from people.

Give participants take-home materials

The goal of your virtual open house is to give participants a great first impression of the property. That said, you can reinforce that positive image by giving them an open house presentation after the showing. Luckily, platforms like ACCESS let you create stunning presentations in minutes using pre-made templates crafted by Agent Image’s very own design team. Even better, you can embed your virtual tours into the deck so prospects can review it anytime and anywhere.

Check out this sample presentation.

Use footage as additional marketing material

You’ve put a lot of effort into making your virtual open house a success, so don’t let the footage go to waste. For starters, you can upload the full tour on your website or YouTube channel so more prospective buyers can see your listing. But why stop there? Take snippets from the full video and repurpose them as content for your social media channels as well.

Make your virtual tours a success!

Virtual open houses are a great way to reach more leads in less time. And with the tips above, it should prove to be an effective lead-generation mechanism for your business.

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