How to Host a Successful Virtual Open House

Though not as ubiquitous as they were at the height of the pandemic, virtual open houses still represent a smart way for real estate professionals to increase their digital presence and expand their pipeline of potential leads. This tactic also means listings are more accessible, increasing reach to potential buyers worldwide.

Virtual open houses are here to stay and are a valuable sales and marketing tool. To host yours, all it takes is a little planning and a good internet connection.

What is a virtual open house?

A virtual open house is an online event where real estate agents showcase a property to potential buyers remotely, using live streaming or prerecorded videos. In practice, it involves guiding viewers through the home, highlighting key features, and answering questions in real time (for live events) or offering detailed commentary (for prerecorded tours). Agents use platforms like Zoom, Facebook Live, or YouTube to host these events, ensuring accessibility and interaction.

Live virtual open houses provide a sense of immediacy and allow agents to address buyer inquiries on the spot, fostering engagement. In contrast, prerecorded tours offer flexibility, as they can be filmed and viewed anytime and shared widely, making them perfect for reaching out-of-town buyers or generating ongoing interest in a property. Both formats can be valuable tools for agents to expand their reach and connect with prospective clients effectively.

Why should you host a virtual open house?

White virtual open houses were necessary during the pandemic, they’ve seen remarkable staying power due to the following advantages:

• Convenient for far-away, out-of-state, busy, or homebound buyers
• Ideal for a group of leads, rather than organizing individual showings
• Less foot traffic and scheduling for sellers
• Makes it easier to restrict in-person showings to serious buyers
• Generally higher rates of attendance than in-person
• Offers an opportunity to show off sophisticated digital presence
• Creates marketing content that can be shared on social media
• Provides an opportunity to generate leads

Virtual open houses are an increasingly vital component of the online real estate experience allowing buyers to tour properties without getting off the sofa.

Additionally, virtual tours are an excellent way for real estate agents to create valuable content for social media. Sharing virtual tours boosts engagement, making the agent’s social media presence more dynamic while providing content that directly appeals to both sides of the real estate market.

@aarongrushowhomes The craziest $72.5 million mansion you’ll ever see! #housetour #mansion #luxury #architecture ♬ original sound – Aaron Grushow

Prep for your virtual open house

You may be wondering how to host an open house virtually, but we have you covered. Before you start rolling, some prep goes a long way. Here are some key steps before filming.

Choose your platform

Decide where to host your virtual open house. Various platforms offer different features that can enhance your event.

• Zoom is straightforward and interactive; you can share your screen, host a large number of attendees, and even record the session for future reference. The free version of Zoom allows you to meet for 40 minutes and invite up to 100 participants.
• Facetime, a messaging tool in Apple products, is another popular option. FaceTime allows up to 32 participants in a group call, but you must manually invite each attendee using their Apple ID or phone number, as it doesn’t provide shareable meeting links like Zoom or Google Meet. This makes it best suited for small, intimate virtual tours rather than large-scale events.
• Google Meet is an excellent option for hosting live virtual property tours thanks to its simplicity, accessibility, and robust features. It allows you to generate a shareable link for easy attendee access, offers high-quality video, screen sharing, and the ability to accommodate up to 500 participants. Plus, it works across devices without requiring downloads, making it user-friendly for all potential buyers. However, you will be limited to one hour per meeting with the free version of Google Suite.
• Facebook Live and Instagram Live offer a casual feel and can easily reach your social media followers, as does your YouTube channel. Plus, your open house video will be available for replay on these social feeds.
• Virtual and augmented reality providers can enhance the digital experience by adding interactive digital elements and real-time data. For virtual tours, AR can offer features like historical context for landmarks, instant translations, or dynamic animations to make a property come alive.

When choosing your platform, consider your audience and their comfort with the required level of technical expertise.

Get the right equipment

To host a virtual tour or open house, you’ll need a few key pieces of equipment. A high-quality camera, such as a DSLR or 360-degree camera, ensures clear and immersive visuals when you’re pre-recording your tours. For live tours, a reliable smartphone or webcam with a stable internet connection is essential.

Regardless, you may also want to invest in a microphone for clear audio, especially if hosting a live tour. Also, a stabilizer or gimbal can help create smooth footage.

Make a plan

Plan your flow carefully so you know what information you’ll be sharing, the features of the home you’ll highlight, and the route you’ll take when you walk through. The ideal virtual tour is 10 to 20 minutes long, depending on the home’s size and features.

Be sure that you’re prepared to answer questions if presenting live. Also collect the contact information from attendees if possible to make follow-up easier.

Promote your virtual open house

If you’re creating a live open house, promote your event through the listing, email blasts to your network and other agents, social media posts, and ad campaigns. Include information on when the virtual open house will be held and how to attend or view it, as well as property information and high-quality images to draw attention.

What to do during your virtual open house

Throughout the virtual open house, maintain a professional but friendly demeanor. Remember, your role isn’t just to sell the property; you’re also showcasing your expertise and customer service skills. Stay positive, even if technical difficulties arise. Your ability to handle challenges gracefully will leave a great impression.

By following the steps below, your virtual open house will not only be informative and engaging but will also demonstrate your effectiveness as a real estate agent in the digital age.

1. Set the stage

Start by welcoming everyone and laying out expectations. Give a quick rundown of the property and the plan for the virtual tour. It’s also helpful to let attendees know when and how to ask questions. For pre-recorded tours, make sure it’s clear how your audience can follow up.

2. Give the guided tour

It’s showtime! Take your attendees on a guided tour of the property. Make sure to highlight the property’s best features and unique selling points. If you’re using a 3D virtual tour platform or pre-recording, guide attendees through the space while offering commentary. Ensure the video is stable and clear as you walk through the property.

3. Interact with attendees

If your virtual open house is live, encourage participation throughout and ask for thoughts on the property. Check the chat regularly and respond to comments or questions as they come up. If pre-recording, throw out trivia about the neighborhood or home’s history. Do your best to anticipate and answer potential questions while giving the tour.

4. Address questions and wrap up

After the tour, set aside time to address questions or comments. If you are recording it to send out later, provide more details about the property, the buying process, and any other relevant information.

Being transparent and knowledgeable boosts your credibility and can help potential buyers feel more comfortable. Tell your audience what to do if they’re interested in the property, whether that’s scheduling a private showing or placing an offer. Don’t forget to thank everyone for their time and provide your contact information.

@aarongrushowhomes Ever see a shark aquarium in a house?! #shark #fish #fishtank #aquarium #house #mansion #luxury #amazing #beautiful #fyp ♬ Can We Kiss Forever? – Kina

How to convert leads from a virtual open house

When your virtual open house wraps up, your work isn’t over yet. Follow-up actions are crucial to maximize the event’s impact and maintain momentum with potential buyers. Here’s how to convert your new virtual open house leads.

Send thank-you notes

Start by sending personalized thank-you notes to all attendees. Express your appreciation for their time and interest. This can be a quick email or even a personal video message, which adds a warm, human touch.

Share the recording

If your virtual open house was recorded, make sure to share it with all attendees and also those who registered but couldn’t attend. Post it on your social media channels and your website, too. This ensures that the content you create works for you long after the event.

Make follow-up calls

Schedule follow-up calls or emails with attendees who showed high interest in the property or asked detailed questions. Your thoughtful follow-up could easily convert an interested attendee into a buyer.

Ask for feedback and analyze performance

Send a short survey to ask attendees for feedback on the open house, your presentation style, the chosen platform, and what they liked or didn’t like. Most virtual platforms provide analytics, like how many people attended your open house, the average viewing time, and more. Review these comments and statistics to gauge the success of your event and identify areas for improvement.

Keep attendees informed

If the property status changes (if the price drops or the property is sold), update all attendees. It’s not only good service but also keeps the lines of communication open for future opportunities.

Virtual open houses + Luxury Presence

Embracing the world of virtual open houses is just the beginning. As a real estate agent, you want to ensure your brand is reflected in every interaction, every virtual tour, and every digital touchpoint. Luxury Presence is here to help.

We understand that real estate is about more than buying and selling properties; it’s about creating an unforgettable experience for your clients. With our website design and digital marketing services, we can help you elevate your brand, reach more potential customers, and take your online presence to the next level.