Virtual Tours are Replacing the In-Person Showing

If you're trying to buy or sell a home while social distancing, you can take advantage of virtual open houses, 3D tours, and video conferencing with real estate agents.

With open houses banned in some states and homeowners skittish to let would-be buyers in, real estate agents are turning to technology to give buyers a look inside properties. Real estate agents are recording or streaming virtual tours and holding open houses where buyers jump on a video conference to walk through the home.

Many are using tech to turn 360-degree panoramic photos of properties into 3D virtual tours. In the last week of March, Zillow reported a 408% increase in 3D tours created on its platform, compared to a normal week in February. In March, listings that featured a 3D tour received 50% more visits than those without.

It's not just showings that are happening virtually. Other aspects of real estate transactions, whether it's getting an appraisal or signing documents, are also taking place virtually thanks to digital tools.