Everything You Need to Know About Virtual Tours (of an Apartment)

Virtual tours are a great way to showcase a house or apartment for rent or sale. They consist of a series of spherical photos—that is, 360-degree panoramic photos. This series allows you to view the interior of the apartment from every angle. A virtual tour should feel like a real walk through the apartment.

How do you create a virtual tour?

The first step is to take a series of photos around a single point—usually the center of the room. A 360° tour is created by combining these series into a single whole. This allows you to virtually look around the apartment both vertically and horizontally, as well as zoom in on individual elements.

Nowadays, we can create such a virtual tour even using photos taken with a smartphone, thanks to Walksee. The Sfer Creator is accessible via a web browser. This program will guide us step by step—explaining how to position the camera and combining the series of photos into a cohesive whole.

Properly Preparing the Interior of the Apartment

In order for the virtual tour to encourage potential customers to rent our apartment, we first need to prepare it properly. To start, thoroughly clean every room—wash the windows, mirrors, sinks, etc. Everything should be spotless. Additionally, remove any unnecessary items, such as mops and brooms, that might spoil the first impression.

Next, it’s a good idea to do some home staging—that is, to highlight the apartment’s strengths and make it more appealing to potential buyers. Learn more about home staging here: https://apartmore.pl/pl/home-staging-czym-jest-ile-kosztuje-gdzie-znalezc.

When taking photos, it’s a good idea to make sure the interior of your apartment is properly lit. It’s best to choose the time of day for taking photos based on which direction the windows face. To brighten up small, narrow rooms, it’s also a good idea to open the door wide—this will create a sense of spaciousness. If you’re taking photos with a smartphone, you can use the built-in flash.

When creating a virtual tour, you should photograph every room. If your living room opens onto a kitchenette, it’s best to take a panorama in two shots: the first as you step into the room, and the second with a view of the kitchen. You can also raise the camera slightly so that it captures a wider area and highlights the size of the room. For small rooms, it’s a good idea to take a panoramic photo while standing just inside the doorway.

Camera Settings

Take the photos while standing in the center of the room. The lens should be at a height of 140–160 cm. The photos must not be blurry—they must be clear and not blurred. It’s a good idea to use a tripod or the grid lines (on your smartphone). When taking photos, make sure the camera isn’t reflected in any mirrors or windows.

What are the benefits of virtual tours?

A 360° tour will allow potential clients to thoroughly explore the apartment or condo —by giving them this opportunity, you’ll earn their trust, as you’re showing that you have nothing to hide. Additionally, the fact that viewers have the freedom to virtually explore the property satisfies their curiosity and helps them make a decision in our favor more quickly. A major advantage is that these virtual tours make our listing more appealing and give us an edge over the competition. Guests are more likely to choose an apartment they can explore in advance and feel confident that nothing will surprise them once they arrive.

In addition, taking walks will save you time and energy. By making the apartment available for viewings, we can be sure that the people who contact us are committed and confident in their choice.