Listing homes for sale in Lake Tahoe in the age of the coronavirus may seem like a hard task to accomplish successfully. With people staying home, businesses closed and people not allowing guests, a seller is likely wondering how they can sell right now. Rest assured, technology has allowed many advances for buyers to tour virtually. Additionally, every area is operating differently so working closely with a Lake Tahoe Realtor is more important than ever. Here is how you can position your property to get the most buyer traction as possible so that when an in-person tour is scheduled, it is by a serious buyer who has been pre-approved.
Virtual Tours have been around for a really long time. This is one of the most common ways that a Lake Tahoe Realtor will showcase a property going beyond the photos. This makes it really easy for buyers to see the home a little more in depth without actually having to enter. However, not all virtual tours are the same. Some are really just a string of photos put together in video format while others will allow you to look at every little detail. With someone potentially purchasing Lake Tahoe real estate sight unseen, they want to know (and see) as much as possible before they sign on the dotted line. The following listed below are generally the type I offer, depending on the listing and seller requests.
3D Matterport Tours
This is a high-tech option that allows sellers to showcase homes for sale in Lake Tahoe by capturing every single angle with a special 3D camera. Once all the images have been taken, they are downloaded into a special software program that transforms the photos into 3 dimensions which yields a full tour. It is a little more time consuming, as it captures every single angle and allows you to “walk” through the home. In some markets, these virtual tours are still considered rare, however, I find that for more of my listings, they are a necessary marketing tool.
Lifestyle Videos
These particular types of virtual tours are not needed for every home, but when they are done by a professional, they are a truly powerful marketing tool. Properties that are higher end or are tied into a specific lifestyle, such as a horse property, lakefront, ski in/out lodge, luxury, etc. are really good candidates for this type of tour. It allows buyers to see what it would be like to call that house a home using people while highlighting key features.
The above tools require professionals and planning, which isn’t always possible when a buyer wants to see homes for sale in Lake Tahoe last second. Something I have done for my sellers and buyers is providing a walk-through video with my phone or even a zoom meeting or Face Time call as I walk around. This allows me to answer questions and show off storage space and details you wouldn’t otherwise see in photos.
Virtual Staging is another tool I like to bring to my vacant Lake Tahoe real estate listings. Traditional staging is great if you can find someone who is reputable, however, that can be hard to execute when sellers don’t want people in their homes. Virtual staging provides simulated images that entice buyers by reimagining home décor, showing off the homes floorplan and allowing people to form an emotional attachment to the home. There are unlimited styles and options and they can also remove details like a statement wall in a horrible color or outdated wallpaper. You even have the option to add small décor pieces like flowers, painting and other home accessories.
One of the great things about providing virtual tours to interested buyers is that if they want to see the home in person after, they are likely very serious. As a Lake Tahoe Realtor, I like to make sure sellers, buyers and anyone who enters the home is safe by using hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes and shoe booties once an in-person tour has been scheduled. This current pandemic has absolutely provided challenges, but when you are innovative and dedicated to your clients, there are solutions available that make it easy to bring buyers and sellers together. For more information on buying or selling during Covid-19, feel free to contact me, I would be happy to help.
