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Virtual tours have quickly gone from a nice-to-have to a must-have in modern property marketing. Buyers expect to explore homes online before they ever book a viewing, and estate agents who deliver great virtual experiences are winning more instructions, filtering out time wasters, and saving hours every week.
In this guide, we’ll break down what virtual tours are, how they’re created, why they matter for estate agents, and how to use them effectively to win more business, including how PropertyBox makes ordering professional virtual tours simple.
What is a virtual tour?
A virtual tour is an interactive, digital walkthrough of a property that allows buyers to explore a home remotely. Unlike standard photos, virtual tours give viewers control -they can move from room to room, look around freely, and get a real sense of space, layout, and flow.
Virtual tours are typically viewed on:
- Property portals
- Estate agency websites
- Social media listings
- Shared links sent directly to buyers
For buyers, it’s the closest thing to an in-person viewing. For agents, it’s a powerful qualification and conversion tool.
Watch it in action.
How are virtual tours created?
Professional virtual tours are created using specialist 3D cameras or 360° photography equipment. A trained photographer captures multiple viewpoints throughout the property, which are then stitched together using dedicated 360 virtual tour software to create a seamless, interactive experience.
A high-quality virtual tour usually includes:
- Smooth navigation between rooms
- Accurate sense of scale and depth
- Clear, well-lit visuals
- Compatibility across desktop and mobile
With PropertyBox, estate agents can easily order a professional virtual tour alongside photography and other marketing assets – without managing multiple suppliers or long email chains.
Why are virtual tours useful for estate agents?
1. Save time by filtering out time wasters
One of the biggest benefits of virtual tours is pre-qualifying buyers. When buyers have already explored the property online, in-person viewings are more serious, better informed, and far more likely to convert.
That means:
- Fewer unnecessary viewings
- Less back-and-forth with unqualified buyers
- More productive diaries for negotiators
2. Win more instructions
Virtual tours are a powerful listing presentation tool. Vendors love seeing their property marketed with premium assets, and a professional virtual tour helps position you as a modern, proactive agent.
When pitching against competitors, virtual tours can be the difference between “we’ll think about it” and “when can you start?”
By offering virtual tours as part of your marketing package, you build confidence in your ability to market the property best. Building trust in your and your brand.
3. Improve buyer experience
Buyers can explore properties at their own pace, at any time, from anywhere. This is especially valuable for:
- Relocation buyers
- International buyers
- Busy professionals
A better experience builds trust – and trust drives offers.
Are virtual tours good for luxury properties?
Virtual tours are great for any property but they do play a role when it comes to the extra attention needed from a luxury property. Virtual tours become especially effective when it comes to winning the instruction for a luxury and high-value homes. As an estate agent you want to be offering every marketing tool from the box to help win the listing.
For premium listings, buyers and sellers expect a higher standard of marketing. Virtual tours allow them to appreciate:
- Flow between living spaces
- Architectural features
- Scale and layout that photos alone can’t capture
This also helps buyers who might be travelling view properties remotely before seeing it in person, making virtual tours an essential tool rather than an optional extra.
Do virtual tours help sell properties faster?
While no single asset sells a property on its own, virtual tours consistently help:
- Increase listing engagement
- Improve quality of enquiries
- Reduce time on market
By setting clearer expectations upfront, virtual tours lead to better-matched buyers and smoother sales processes.
Using virtual tours to win instructions
Virtual tours aren’t just for marketing – they’re a sales tool.
Top-performing agents use them to:
- Demonstrate premium marketing in valuations
- Build confidence with vendors
- Show examples of previous listings
- Differentiate from low-fee competitors
Virtual tours become part of a compelling story of “why choose you”, not just another add-on.
See the difference for yourself
If you’re looking to upgrade your property marketing and streamline how you order virtual tours, PropertyBox makes it simple to get started.
Powerful property marketing. It’s in the box.
