In today’s real estate market, virtual tours enable buyers explore houses remotely.
Matterport tours and 360 real estate tours are two popular choices. They both allow potential clients to see properties online, but they do it in different ways and with different technologies.
Here’s a brief comparison to help you choose the one that works best for you.
What is a 360 real estate tour?
A 360 tour uses a 360-degree camera to take several spherical (or panoramic) pictures. There is a set point of view for each picture, and the photographer uses particular software to stitch all the images together into a series that may be navigated.
Navigation:
To navigate from one 360 image to the next, viewers click or tap specified points on the screen, which makes a guided trail through the home.
Some systems let you take your own course through the experience, but it’s still just a bunch of static panoramas that showcase each room.
Interaction:
Usually not much. You can zoom in, read the subtitles, and sometimes see floor plans or links to hotspots. There is frequently no depth data or interactive measurement.
Today’s 360 scans can capture the data from each scan and give an representation of the overall property layout. This layout is not always accurate in size however it does give the viewer and idea of the layout of a property
Pros:
- Quick to make and cheap.
- Simple to add to websites or listings.
- Many buyers are used to the interface.
- Utilizes hotspots for more information on appliances and can have branding embedded into the tour.
- The images can be edited to enhance the experience of the tour.
Cons:
- Not much interaction or context between rooms.
- No real 3D model or exact spatial data. (however 3d models can be built)
- May feel less immersive than full 3D tours.
360 real estate tour
What is a Matterport tour?
Matterport employs cutting-edge 3D scanning technology, like a depth-sensing gear and cameras, to make a very realistic 3D digital twin of a space.
It gets information about depth, textures, and how things are arranged within the property space.
Navigation:
Viewers can move around a photorealistic reproduction of a real 3D model. They can stroll through rooms, see things from different angles, and swap between first-person and floor-plan views.
Interaction:
- A dollhouse perspective and floor plans for the whole layout are examples of rich interaction.
- Correct measurements of things and spaces (including measurements that the viewer starts in some plans).
- Hotspots, trails to follow, and categorized features like appliances and upgrades.
- A player that can be embedded and has options for branding and sharing.
Pros:
- Very realistic and immersive representation of space.
- Useful for purchasers who want to get a real feel for the layout and size.
- Because of the depth of data and analytics, it has a lot of potential for marketing and lead creation.
Cons:
- Far more expensive and takes longer to make than a typical 360 tour
- Needs professional scanning equipment.
- Requires hosting on the Matterport platform which can be an additional cost
- Back end editing is done via the Matterport software and hence no enhancements can be made.
Matterport tour
Overview of the differences between 360 tour and Matterport.
To recap the differences between a 360 Virtual tour and a Matterport tour, at a glance, the main distinctions are
Depth data:
360 tours are 360 photos taken to allow movement while Matterport gives you a 3D digital twin with depth and measurements.
Navigation:
360 tours let you move between panoramas using images. Matterport lets you explore 3D spaces with floor plans and dollhouse views.
Interactivity:
Matterport has accurate measurements while both can offer hotspots and floor plans
Production:
360 tours are usually faster and cheaper. Matterport needs scanning equipment, processing, and typically continuing hosting expenses.
Use cases:
360 tours are ideal for short listings, social media posts, and getting a lot of people to see them. Matterport is great for high-end listings, properties where layout accuracy is important, or markets where virtual staging and precise measurements are useful.
Picking the right choice
Budget and timeline:
A 360 tour is usually enough if you need a quick solution as your listing may not sit on the market long enough and it will save time and money.
Type and intricacy of the property:
Matterport’s accurate spatial data may be helpful for large or oddly shaped properties with multiple levels to give better floor plans, however if accurate floor plans are not needed a 360 tour works well.
Marketing goals:
Matterport may set a listing apart for leads that need depth and an immersive experience. A 360 tour might be considered by an older audience that is use to Matterport to be less. In todays fast pace technology the majority of potential clients would not care either way as it’s just another tool.
What buyers want:
Some buyers like how realistic and interactive Matterport is, while others are fine with a clean, panorama-based tour.
It all depends on your demographic. Each option is another tool to help realtors showcase a property in their marketing plan.
Buyers in the end want something that can give them a look at the property and help them make a decision of they want to see it in person. In this case either platform will work.
Matterport tours and 360 real estate tours both make it easier to see properties from a distance, but they do so in different ways and with various levels of information. Choose a 360 tour if you need a quick and cheap answer. A Matterport tour is the preferable choice if you want a high-quality, interactive experience with measurements.