Virtual tours are all the rage these days, and for good reason. Not only do virtual tours make it easier for buyers to view homes they might be interested in at any time of the day or night, they’re safe, even when COVID cases are high. With a virtual tour, a home shopper can eliminate homes they definitely do not want to see, making the whole process a lot more efficient.
As the seller of one of these homes, it’s extra important that your home is staged so that the virtual tour makes people want to come in and see more. This often goes well beyond what you’d need to do for a regular showing, since your goal is to mimic the feeling of what it’s like to be in your house. Don’t worry, we’ve got some tips to get you started!
Declutter Like Your In-Laws Are Coming for Vacation
Before you list a home, it’s always important to declutter. Get rid of anything you don’t immediately need, or at least put it in storage somewhere away from the house. That idea goes doubly for virtual tours. It may seem like no big deal that you’ve got an extra ottoman or side table in a room when people are physically in the space, but the goal of a virtual tour is to try to create a sense of how the space actually feels in real life, and that can be hard if there’s too much distracting stuff sitting around.
When it comes to virtual tours, less is more, to a point. It’s still important to keep a few things even in unused rooms to provide a sense of scale and purpose for the room, but remember that the people seeing the tour want to see your home, not your belongings. Balance is key, and it can be a delicate one to strike.
Make the Best Features Obvious
When you’ve lived in a house long enough, even the coolest features can seem pretty mundane and kind of turn into background noise. When you’re trying to sell that house, think like a buyer. Does your home have some great things that buyers would want to see, or unique detailing that’s worth a second look?
Rather than skimming over these points of interest, emphasize them! Use well-placed lighting, simple decor, or other tactics to draw the eye to the cool parts of your home and landscaping without overwhelming them. It’s all about scale; just remember that your home’s best features are the main attraction!
Remember to Keep Security Front of Mind
We’ve all got something that would be absolutely tempting for an unscrupulous sort to rifle through or carry off. Whether that’s family jewelry, a gun safe, or even just a fire safe for paperwork, the temptation can be strong. Rather than display these items during a virtual tour, put them away so they’re not advertising to potential visitors that you might have something worth taking.
Along those same lines, try to tuck security equipment like cameras and sensors out of the way, even if they are part of the home and will be sold with it. As long as they’re in place and present when people view the home in person, potential buyers will be aware of the security system they’re getting, without everyone on the internet also knowing where all the sensors and cameras are.
For More Ideas to Improve Your Home’s Virtual Tour
If you need even more help improving your home’s look before a virtual tour, you’ve come to the right place. Your HomeKeepr community can point you to the exact right person to help you stage, decorate, or even repaint or relight your home before the big day. All you have to do is ask for the help you need, and before you know it, recommendations for the best experts in your area will be right at your fingertips. And, best of all, it’s free to join! Log in today and take a look around!