“The Rise of Virtual Open Houses”

Open houses aren’t what they used to be. In 2025, virtual open houses have become a key part of how real estate is marketed and sold. Whether a live stream, a 3-D interactive tour, or a pre-recorded walkthrough, virtual open houses bring a home to buyers—wherever they are. Let’s dive into why they’re rising, how they work, and how you can make them effective.

Why Virtual Open Houses Are Taking Off

• According to real-estate marketing insights, buyers who used the internet during their home search found virtual open house tours extremely helpful. realtor.com+2placester.com+2

• Virtual open houses allow you to reach a broader audience—including out-of-state buyers, busy professionals, or anyone unable to attend in-person. Matterport+1

• They also reduce logistical challenges: no need to keep the property open physically for hours, fewer foot-traffic disruptions, and you can re-use recorded material. placester.com

• The tech side supports it: improved streaming, 3D tour platforms, and better virtual-tour engagement are all part of the trend. Belle Property+1

What a Virtual Open House Looks Like

Here are some formats you can use:

• Live stream walkthrough: Agent uses smartphone or camera, walks through the home in real time, answers viewer questions via chat.

• Pre-recorded tour + interactive elements: A polished video or 3D model, hotspots to click for more detail, viewer can pause/rewind.

• 360°/3D interactive model: Viewer navigates rooms at own pace, often embedded in listing or shared via link.

How Buyers & Sellers Benefit

For buyers:

• View properties from anywhere (home, work, another city) without travel.

• Get a sense of layout, flow and details that photos alone might not show.

• More convenient—fit it into schedule, re-visit recorded tour.

For sellers/agents:

• Reach more people for one listing event rather than many in-person showings.

• Lower cost/time of open-house preparation.

• Collect lead data (who viewed, how long) from virtual events for follow-up.

• Stand out in the market with modern, tech-savvy marketing.

Best Practices for Hosting a Successful Virtual Open House

• Ensure good lighting, clean staging, and a tidy home—virtual viewers notice details.

• Use quality camera/streaming gear or 3D tour software; shaky video or bad audio can hurt credibility.

• Promote the event ahead of time—social media, email, listing sites—with clear date/time and how to join.

• Choose the right format: live if you want interaction; pre-recorded if you want polished and reusable content.

• Engage viewers: ask questions, invite comments, show features up close, use chat/Q&A.

• Follow up promptly with attendees: send listing details, recorded link, invitation to in-person visit if desired.

Things to Consider / Limitations

• Virtual tours can’t fully replace seeing a property in-person for all buyers—especially for final decisions.

• Technical glitches (internet, audio/video quality) can hurt experience—test ahead.

• Don’t neglect viewers who prefer traditional open houses—hybrid approaches often work best.

• Make sure you comply with local regulations, disclosures, and always present the property honestly in virtual format.

Final Thoughts

The rise of virtual open houses is more than a trend—it reflects changing buyer behavior, improved technology, and a real estate market adapting to new expectations. If you’re an agent or seller, embracing virtual open houses gives you a competitive edge. If you’re a buyer, being open to virtual viewings can help you explore more homes with less hassle.