Property Managers Increasingly Using Virtual Marketing and 3D Tours for Austin-Area Rental Properties

Like Austin home buyers, renters in the greater Austin area are increasingly using online tools like 3D tours to scope out rental properties and homes for lease, particularly in a constantly changing environment.

A recent study by Zumper, a rental marketplace, in conjunction with Matterport, a 3D virtual service, echoed that fact, with 72% of all renters expressing that they would rent a space without ever seeing the property in person if a 3D virtual tour was offered. In line with the trend, property managers are seeking more “non-traditional” ways to let potential tenants view spaces from the comfort of their laptop or mobile device.

According to ABODO, an apartment listing site, more than 60% of renters said that COVID-19 has negatively impacted their rental search. 30% of renters surveyed said that they prefer photos and floorplans to be delivered virtually or prerecorded videos of units (27%) over in-person unit tours (21%).

But it gets more interesting…according to the Zumper/Matterport study, 82% of property owners who have advertised a 3D walk-through expressed that they were able to lease their rental entirely virtually. Almost all surveyed owners acknowledged that potential tenants would likely demonstrate more interest in a rental listing if they offered a 3D virtual tour. Tenants surveyed validated that assumption with responses that showed a greater interest in rental properties that allowed virtual perusal.

The property management industry adapts as our environment evolves, and the greater Austin area is at the forefront of that movement. If you have questions about what TALK Property Management can do in locating and screening tenants for your Austin-area rental properties or how we serve our owner-investor client base, reach out to us anytime: dbrown@talkpropertymanagement.com or (512) 721-1094.
Source: Matterport.com and “Virtual Apartment Tours: The Industry’s Ultimate Guide for Property Managers,” ABODO, May 6, 2020.