Virtual viewings: putting your home on the market

Jan,21

by Admin
in Selling

In light of current circumstances, property-seekers are increasingly favouring virtual video viewings over physical visits of potential new homes – enabling them to more efficiently short-list the properties that want to go and see. Virtual viewings enable buyers to experience your home without physically visiting. So, how can you make sure your property’s virtual viewing effectively showcases what’s on offer?

To minimise public health risk and to protect house hunters, the Government has recently advised that virtual viewings should be conducted before visiting properties in person. Physical viewings are now only recommended if buyers are seriously considering making an offer on or renting the property. Here, we explore how Urban Village can make an effective virtual viewing that’ll showcase your home in its best light and ‘teleport’ buyers into your property.

Property for sale, virtually

Creating the perfect virtual viewing may seem simple, but with a wealth of technology available, it’s easy for some estate agents to get carried away. From video walkthroughs, 3D imaging and even drone footage, the possibilities can feel endless, but at Urban Village, we consistently remain focused on getting the most out your video to market your property well.

Attract better quality buyers

Video viewings provide an excellent way to introduce potential buyers to your home, giving house hunters a virtual taste of what’s on offer simply by filming your property. Taking a buyer on a journey, we make sure to provide an authentic view of your home and its surrounding area – from a full street view with an overview of local cafes to the ins and outs of your under-the-stairs cupboards. So, what can you expect from an Urban Village virtual video?

We avoid loop photos: Quite frankly, these just don’t provide a walkthrough of your home or give a real feel of what it’s like inside, resulting in disillusioned and disengaged buyers. Ideal for a time when physical viewings were safer and more popular, but with COVID restrictions, photos simply don’t bring your home to life.

Angles are everything: While we won’t necessarily show every corner of each room, stilted camera angles don’t offer a true view of your home. We also always film in landscape view, which ensures the widest angle to fit in as much of the room as possible.

Walk the talk: Although some estate agents might add music to your property’s video, our commentary voiceovers are more effective at showcasing your home. At Urban Village, we talk and walk buyers through your property, showing them what they’ll love, with advice and extensive knowledge on the local area and community.

Let in the light: We always shoot our videos in daylight to create a more natural, brighter light – and although low-key lighting might create an ambient atmosphere in your home, it doesn’t work well in videos. By turning on all the lights – even on a sunny day – opening all curtains, blinds and doors, we can even fill the darker areas of your home, such as hallways.

Take focus: Through a slow pan around each room, we allow viewers to see everything – whizzing around can not only make them feel dizzy but it’ll also prevent them from seeing your home properly. Highlighting certain features – such as the Aga Cooker that you’re planning to offer as part of your sale – also keeps buyers interested and engaged.

Planning our route: When filming, it’s important for us to follow a path around your property, focusing on the best spaces and giving extra time for the strongest parts in your home. For example, if you’ve just had a new bathroom fitted, we’ll spend longer in there. Or we might share more of the nice view from your bedroom window. And we never forget the outside – front and back. With lockdown and restricted movement measures in place, interest in outdoor space has increased over the last years. In fact, searchers by buyers for homes with gardens are up 42% compared to last year, and for renters, it’s up by 84% – so we’re always keen to show it off.

Ready to put your home on the market? Give the Urban Village team a call on 020 3519 9121, email info@urbanvillagehomes.com or request a virtual property valuation today – as passionate local estate agents in Denmark Hill, we can create a virtual video viewing that will keep prospective buyers engaged, providing them with an authentic tour of your property, as though they are there in person.

Ultimately, saving you time and helping your sale go through more quickly.