Virtual Tour

Online Tour - a virtual tour of a property via digital channels such as 360° tours, live video calls, or virtual reality applications. It complements the traditional in-person tour and allows prospective buyers to get a first impression of the space without having to physically enter the property.

How does an online tour work?

During an online tour, the property is brought to life using digital technologies. We generally distinguish between two types: the recorded tour and the live tour.

For the recorded version, we create a 360° tour in advance that prospective buyers can access at any time. Systems like Matterport or iGuide capture the rooms using special cameras and generate a three-dimensional model from them. Users navigate the property on their own, zoom in on details, and get a realistic sense of the space. Floor plans, measurement data, and information points can also be embedded.

The live tour takes place in real time via video conference. During the tour, the real estate agent guides prospective buyers through the rooms using a smartphone camera or a tablet. Questions can be asked directly, and the agent can show specific areas in more detail upon request. This option is particularly suitable for initial consultations with prospective buyers from other regions or abroad.

Both formats can be combined: First, the prospective buyer views the 360° tour on their own, followed by a brief live session to address any remaining questions. This creates an efficient, two-step process.

Advantages and Limitations of Virtual Tours

The biggest advantage lies in pre-qualification: prospective buyers who remain interested after the virtual tour arrive at the on-site viewing with concrete ideas. This saves owners and real estate agents a significant amount of time, as it eliminates viewings driven purely by curiosity. At the same time, it expands the reach, as buyers from other cities or abroad can evaluate a property without having to travel there.

The cost of a professional 360° tour ranges from 200 to 800 euros, depending on the property size and provider. With higher-end systems like Matterport Pro, which includes floor plan generation, costs can be even higher. Many real estate agencies now include this service as standard in their marketing package.

Nevertheless, no online tour can replace the personal impression gained on-site. Smells, sounds, the feel of the neighborhood, and the actual lighting conditions can only be conveyed to a limited extent digitally. We therefore recommend viewing the virtual tour as a supplement rather than a replacement.

Technical Quality Determines the First Impression

A poorly lit, shaky cell phone tour can do more harm than good. We rely on professional 3D camera systems with automatic exposure correction that produce a lifelike image even in darker rooms such as basements or hallways. Image stabilization is also crucial: Shaky images can cause dizziness in some users and lead them to abandon the tour prematurely. Today, the first digital impression of a property is at least as important as the cover photo in the listing-both shape the prospective buyer’s expectations.

For high-end properties, we also offer VR-enabled tours upon request, which can be experienced using standard VR headsets. This immersive option is particularly popular for new construction projects where a move-in-ready property cannot yet be shown-instead, the prospective buyer navigates through the virtual model.

Practical Tip for Nuremberg and Franconia

In the Nuremberg metropolitan region, we’ve observed that online tours are in high demand, particularly for condominiums in sought-after locations such as the Old Town, St. Johannis, or downtown Erlangen. Many prospective buyers are relocating from Munich, Stuttgart, or abroad and want to make an initial selection in advance. We advise owners to have a 360° tour available right from the start of the marketing campaign. Especially during the Franconian winter, when daylight and weather limit scheduling, a high-quality tour provides access to the property regardless of the time of day.

Experience shows that properties with a professional online tour sell faster on average and generate more inquiries than comparable properties without this digital added value. We provide our clients with the online tour as a standard part of our marketing package-at no extra charge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an online tour free for prospective buyers?

Yes, the online tour is generally free for prospective buyers. The costs for creating the 360° tour or the technical implementation of a live tour are borne by the owner or the commissioned real estate agency as part of the marketing strategy.

Can an online tour completely replace an in-person viewing?

No. We recommend the online tour as a valuable pre-screening tool, not as the sole basis for a decision. Before signing a purchase or lease agreement, the property should always be viewed in person to realistically assess its structural condition, surroundings, and ambiance.

What technical requirements do I need for an online tour?

For a 360° tour, all you need is a modern web browser and a stable internet connection. Special software or VR headsets are not required, but they can enhance the experience. For a live video tour, interested parties also need a device with a camera and microphone, as well as a standard video conferencing app.

How long is a 360° tour available after the sale?

That depends on the provider. With Matterport and similar platforms, the tour can be deactivated after the sale to protect the new owner’s privacy. We clarify this with our clients in advance and, upon request, remove digital tours immediately after the sale is finalized.

Online Viewings for Rentals vs. Sales

The benefits of digital viewing formats vary depending on the marketing objective: For sales, online viewings primarily serve to pre-qualify prospective buyers who are ready to make a significant investment. Here, the focus is on depth of content-accurate floor plans, room dimensions, and finishing details. When selling high-end properties, a VR-enabled tour allows international buyers to make a nearly complete preliminary decision without traveling to Nuremberg. This is particularly in demand among foreign investors who purchase apartment buildings or commercial units in the metropolitan region purely as investment properties.

When it comes to renting, the goal is different: to attract as many pre-qualified prospective tenants as quickly as possible and minimize vacancy periods. A concise, well-lit short tour (3-5 minutes) is often sufficient here. In Nuremberg, we observe that apartments with digital tours are rented out faster on average than comparable listings without this format. Especially during the winter semesters, when students start looking early for the spring and summer semesters, online tours make it possible to rent a property even before the prospective tenant is physically in the city.

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