Say you are a real estate agent getting ready for an open house. The home is staged and looking its best, and you are hoping to draw in serious buyers. Then, just before the big day, something comes up and some of your most promising prospects cannot make it in person. That is exactly when a virtual open house proves its worth. Modern tools, including the full set offered by RBI Cloud Connect, make it easy to show a property to a much wider group of people, no matter where they live.
The Virtual Open House in a Nutshell
In a virtual open house, the agent presents a home to prospective buyers online through video conferencing. It can run live, so viewers can ask questions and interact as the tour happens, or it can be recorded ahead of time so people watch whenever suits them. Either way, buyers can look around a property without leaving their own living room, which makes it much easier to reach more people.
Why Agents Are Going Virtual
A Wider Pool of Buyers
Going online lets you attract buyers from far afield, including people in other provinces or other countries. A bigger market improves your odds of connecting with the right buyer.
More Convenience, More Flexibility
Sellers are disturbed less often, because a virtual tour cuts down on repeated in-person visits. Recorded tours can be offered at times that work for sellers and buyers alike, which makes the whole process easier to fit around everyone's schedule.
Savings in Time and Money
There is no need to set out snacks or print brochures for a virtual open house. Beyond saving time and money, it also means fewer showings overall, since one virtual tour can be seen by many people.
Better Safety and Privacy
Holding the open house online keeps face-to-face contact to a minimum, in line with social distancing guidelines. This is a real plus when sellers are still living in the home, because fewer people walk through and their privacy is protected.
Watch Anytime, Use Again
A recorded tour can be shown at more than one event, giving every viewer the same polished experience. Buyers can also go back and watch it again whenever they like, which helps them feel confident in their decision.
Running Your Virtual Open House, Step by Step
Live Video Calls
Start with a dependable platform to host the event. Video calling from RBI Cloud Connect delivers HD video and audio, so your presentation looks and sounds clear and professional. Position your camera and microphone in a bright part of the home to give viewers the best possible view.
Recording the Video Conference
Record the full session with RBI Cloud Connect’s video conference recording. Buyers who missed the live event can then watch the tour later, and you gain useful material for future marketing. Watching the recording back also helps you sharpen your presentation and prepare answers to the questions people ask most.
Access From Phones and Browsers
Make sure people can join from whatever they have on hand, whether that is a mobile phone or a web browser. When it is easy to tune in, more people take part, and buyers can view the home on the device they prefer.
In-App Messaging
Keep attendees engaged during the tour with the messaging feature in the RBI Cloud Connect app. Viewers can post questions or comments without breaking up the presentation. Have a colleague keep an eye on the chat and reply promptly, so everyone gets an interactive, informative experience.
Show More Homes to More Buyers
The virtual open house tools from RBI Cloud Connect give you a smooth, efficient way to show off your listings. With high-quality video calls, full recording options and easy access from any device, you can reach more buyers and give them a convenient, engaging way to explore each home. Plan your next virtual open house with RBI Cloud Connect and see what modern real estate marketing can do for you. Learn more about our phone system for real estate companies.
Frequently asked questions
Can a virtual open house be live or recorded?
Both. A live tour lets viewers interact and ask questions in real time, while a pre-recorded tour lets buyers watch whenever it suits them and revisit it later.
How do viewers ask questions during a virtual tour?
They can use in-app messaging to post questions or comments without interrupting the presentation, while a team member monitors the chat and replies.
What devices can buyers use to join?
Buyers can join from mobile phones or web browsers, so they can view the property on whichever device they prefer.
