Three kinds of virtual tour
| Kind | What the buyer sees | How it is made |
|---|---|---|
| 360 photo tour | A 360 view of each room, with arrows or a menu to jump between rooms | A 360 camera on a tripod, one shot per room, joined in tour software |
| 3D walk-through | A model of the home they can walk through, with a "dollhouse" view and measurements | A depth-sensing camera (such as Matterport's) captures many points; software builds the model |
| Video walk-through | A guided film of the home, room by room | A stabilised camera or phone, edited into a short video |
All three can sit on a listing as a link. A 3D walk-through gives the buyer the most freedom; a video is the simplest to watch on a phone; a 360 tour sits in between.
How agents use them
- On the listing, in the portal's virtual tour or video field, so buyers can walk through before booking an inspection.
- For interstate and overseas buyers, who can view the home properly before flying in or sending a buyer's agent. Our virtual inspections guide covers that use.
- For the vendor, as proof of the marketing effort on their home.
- To filter inspections, because a buyer who has walked through the tour already knows whether the layout suits them.
What a tour costs
Most agents buy tours from a real estate photographer as an add-on to the photos and floor plan. Price lists we read on 3 October 2026 treat a 3D tour or 3D floor plan as an extra on top of a photo package; our real estate photography cost guide compares published prices. Agents who capture tours themselves pay for a camera and for hosting: Matterport, for example, lists a free plan with one active space and paid plans with more, priced in US dollars.
What makes a good tour
- Every room, including the laundry and the garage, so buyers do not wonder what was left out.
- The camera at chest height in the middle of each room, so the room is not distorted.
- Lights on, blinds open, cars and bins out of view: the same preparation as for photos.
- A sensible start point: the front door or the main living area.
- Room names on the jump points, so buyers know where they are going.
Making a real estate virtual tour
Whether an agent captures the tour or a photographer does, the steps are much the same:
- Prepare the home as for photos: lights on, blinds open, surfaces clear, mirrors checked.
- Plan the path. Start at the front door, walk the living areas, then bedrooms and wet areas, then outside.
- Capture each position. With a 360 or depth camera on a tripod, take one capture in the middle of each room and one in each doorway or hallway, so the tour joins smoothly. Step out of view for each shot.
- Process and check. The tour software joins the captures. Walk the finished tour yourself, check that no room is missing and that nothing private is visible.
- Name the rooms and set the start view. Then publish and copy the share link.
Our step by step guide to making a virtual tour goes further, and the virtual tour maker guide compares the software.
Adding the tour to a listing
Portals accept tours as a link in a dedicated field, not as a file. Paste the share link into the virtual tour or 3D tour field when you create the listing, then open the live listing on a phone to check the tour loads and the button shows. Domain's help centre explains how its virtual tour, 3D and 360 image fields work, and our realestate.com.au 3D tour guide covers that portal. Put the same link on your agency website, in the listing email to your database, and in replies to interstate buyers.
Privacy and safety
A tour shows every room of someone's home to anyone with the link. Before publishing, remove or hide photos of people and children, mail with names on it, keys, alarm panels, safes, valuables and anything showing a daily routine. Ask the vendor to approve the tour before it goes live, and take it down or unlist it when the property sells or the vendor asks.
Is a tour worth it for every listing?
Not always. A tour adds the most where buyers are likely to be far away, the home is large or has an unusual layout, or the market is competitive and buyers want to shortlist before inspecting. For a small, simple unit, good photos, a floor plan and a short video can do the same job for less.
Updating or removing a tour
Unlist or delete a tour when the home sells or the vendor withdraws it, and update it if the home changes, such as after styling or repairs. A tour that stays public after settlement shows the new owner's home layout to anyone with the old link.
Checking a tour before it goes live
Open the tour on a phone, on the mobile data a buyer would use, and walk it start to finish. Check that it loads quickly, that each room is named, that no doorway leads to a dead end, that measurements look right and that nothing private is visible. Then send the link to the vendor for approval.
Common questions
What is a real estate virtual tour?
An online view of a home a buyer can move through, built from 360 photos, a 3D capture or video, usually shared as a link on the listing.
Do virtual tours help sell houses?
They let buyers see the layout before booking an inspection, which helps buyers who cannot attend and helps filter inspections. We do not quote marketing statistics without a primary source.
What is the difference between a 360 tour and a 3D tour?
A 360 tour joins 360 photos of each room. A 3D tour is a measured model of the whole home, with a dollhouse view and measurements.
How long does it take to capture a virtual tour?
It depends on the home and the camera. A small unit is a short visit; a large home with outdoor areas takes longer. Preparing the home usually takes more time than the capture.
Who owns a real estate virtual tour?
Usually whoever commissioned it under the photographer's terms. Check the licence before reusing a tour for another purpose or after the sale.