Stunning professional photography is the cornerstone of any successful real estate marketing campaign. However, savvy agents know the value of enhancing their listings with strategic add-ons. From drone shots to interactive tours, these extras don’t just capture attention; they help sell homes faster and often at higher prices.

Here are the top five add-ons every realtor should consider for their next listing:

1. Drone Photos

When it comes to showcasing properties, drone photography can play a huge role. These breathtaking aerial images provide a unique perspective that simply isn’t possible from the ground. Incorporating drone photography can make a listing more appealing, helping potential buyers visualize the lifestyle and community a property offers. Drone photos are particularly effective for:

Large properties or acreage: Highlight the full scope of a sprawling estate, farm, or multi-acre property.
Waterfront homes: Capture stunning views of nearby lakes, rivers, or oceans.
Homes in desirable neighborhoods: Show proximity to parks, schools, or other amenities.
Properties with unique landscaping: Highlight intricate gardens, pools, or outdoor living spaces.

All that being said, drone photos are not recommended under the following circumstances:

Neighbors: Should the home be on a small lot with neighbors on all sides, drone photos aren’t recommended. Especially if there are no nearby landmarks or amenities to show off.
Trees: If the property is completely covered by trees, drone shots aren’t as effective as one can’t see the layout of the property. This is also not recommended if there’s nothing of nearby that needs to be highlighted from the air.
Clutter: Should the primary property or neighbors have a lot of clutter in the yards, drone shots aren’t recommended.

2. Schematic Floor Plans

Photos tell a story, but schematic floor plans fill in the details. A clear, professional floor plan gives buyers the spatial understanding they need to envision themselves in a home. In a recent study, outside of quality photography, the most requested visual from a buyer was a floor plan. Key benefits include:

Clarity: Buyers can see the flow of the home and understand room dimensions. They can also be interactive where the photo location can be shown on a floor plan to give the viewer the orientation of the space.
Time-saving: Serious buyers can determine if a property meets their needs without needing an initial walk-through. For example, some buyers may want an office far from any bedrooms.
Online engagement: Listings with floor plans tend to generate more interest and clicks.

3. Zillow 3D Home Virtual Tours

Zillow’s 3D Home Virtual Tour technology takes online listings to the next level by offering immersive and interactive experiences. Every Zillow 3D tour provided by Adam Price Photography includes an interactive floor plan. While viewing the Zillow 3D tour, there is a small floor plan off to the side and shows where and which direction the viewer is looking in the home. Benefits include:

24/7 open house: Buyers can tour a home anytime, anywhere. This also helps to cull wasted showings.
Increased listing visibility: Zillow gives priority placement to listings with 3D tours, boosting views. However, they now give a higher priority to homes with a ShowingTime+ listing.
Detailed exploration: Potential buyers can explore just about every nook and cranny, zooming in on features and getting a feel for the home’s layout. See an example here.

These tours are not recommended for homes that are cluttered or not ready for an in-person showing. During standard photoshoots, clutter is often moved from one room to another and then returned after the photos are taken. However, this approach isn’t feasible with 3D virtual tours because the clutter will likely be seen from one of the many angles captured by these sophisticated cameras.

4. Traditional Walk-Through Videos

While photos provide a static glimpse, walk-through videos breathe life into listings by offering dynamic, real-time visuals of a home. These videos guide potential buyers through the property, highlighting flow, design, and special features. Why you should consider walk-through videos:

Storytelling: A well-crafted video helps buyers emotionally connect to a property.
Social media appeal: Videos are highly shareable and tend to perform well on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. They also help build a realtors brand and appeal to future home sellers.
Versatility: From modern apartments to luxury homes, walk-through videos work for any type of property. See a few examples here.

5. Vertical Reel Walkthrough Videos

With realtors taking advantage of social media use on smartphones, vertical reel walkthrough videos have become a must-have for real estate marketing. These short, engaging clips are tailored for mobile viewing and optimized for social sharing on Youtube, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. See an example here.

Advantages of vertical reels include:

Increased reach: Reels are prioritized by algorithms, boosting your content’s visibility.
Quick grabbing content: Short, attention-grabbing videos cater to today’s fast-scrolling audience.
Creative freedom: Add music, text, or effects to make your property stand out.

Incorporating these top add-ons into your real estate photography services can significantly elevate the quality of your listings. Whether it’s the sweeping views captured by drone photos or the interactive experience of a Zillow 3D tour, each of these tools offers a unique way to connect with potential buyers.

By investing in these enhancements, you not only set yourself apart from competitors but also provide your clients with the best possible chance of a successful sale. So why settle for ordinary when extraordinary is just an add-on away?