Virtual Tours Are the New Open House — Why 54% of Buyers Won’t Consider Listings Without Them
Buyer Behavior Has Changed — Has Your Marketing?
The modern homebuyer isn’t waiting for Sunday’s open house.
They’re searching on Zillow at midnight. They’re relocating from out of town. They’re shortlisting homes before ever stepping inside.
And if your listing doesn’t have a virtual tour?
It might not even make the cut.
According to recent surveys, 54% of buyers won’t even consider a listing without a virtual tour. In other words: if you’re not offering one, you’re missing out on half the market.
What Is a Virtual Tour — and Why Does It Matter?
A virtual tour (sometimes called a 3D walkthrough or interactive tour) allows potential buyers to “walk” through a home digitally — room by room, on their phone or laptop.
It’s not a video. It’s immersive. It’s clickable. And it’s powerful.
In a market like Clayton or Garner, where homes are taking longer to sell, a virtual tour can:
Capture buyer attention faster
Increase showing requests
Help listings stand out among growing inventory
Even reduce wasted time on non-serious buyers
The Numbers Don’t Lie — Virtual Tours Drive Results
Recent data from Zillow, Redfin, and industry surveys show just how much impact a tour can have:
✅ 87% more views: Listings with a virtual tour get dramatically more eyeballs compared to those without
✅ 54% of buyers won’t even consider a listing without one
✅ 67% of buyers actively expect a virtual tour to be available
✅ Homes with 3D tours can sell up to 31% faster
✅ Many sell for 4–9% more, depending on market and quality
In the current Johnston County market — where days on market have jumped by 50–100% since last year — that kind of boost isn’t optional. It’s essential.
Why Virtual Tours Work (Especially in Johnston County)
Realtors in Clayton and Garner know: this is commuter country. It’s also relocation country.
Many buyers are coming in from Raleigh, Durham, Charlotte — and beyond. They’re not always local. That means:
They can’t attend every open house
They often rely on visuals to make fast decisions
They may even make an offer sight unseen
In fact, 63% of buyers in a recent study said they’d be willing to put in an offer based solely on a virtual tour. That’s huge.
Realtors Win More Listings When They Offer Tours
It’s not just about selling homes faster. It’s about winning the next listing.
Imagine you’re a seller comparing two agents:
One offers basic photos and a flyer
The other offers professional photography, drone shots, and a 3D Matterport-style virtual tour
Who are you going with?
Offering virtual tours shows sellers you’re serious, modern, and ready to invest in helping them sell. It’s not just marketing — it’s client confidence.
Only ~15% of Listings in Garner & Clayton Are Using Tours. That’s Your Opportunity.
Despite the benefits, most listings in your area still don’t use virtual tours. Zillow data shows that in Garner and Clayton, fewer than 1 in 5 homes are currently taking advantage of this tool.
That means if you’re offering tours, you’re in the top 20% — and buyers will notice.
What a Great Virtual Tour Looks Like (and How We Do It)
Not all tours are created equal. A phone video walk-through? Not the same. At Goodlook, we create tours that:
Are MLS-compatible and Zillow-ready
Work beautifully on mobile and desktop
Show the true scale and flow of the home
Are powered by Matterport-style technology for 3D interactivity
We also shoot pro photos and drone footage in the same session — so you get everything you need, fast.
Buyers Are Clicking — Are You Showing Them What They Want?
Realtors in Johnston County know: the market isn’t slowing down… it’s just shifting. And buyers are changing with it.
In 2025, virtual tours aren’t a bonus. They’re a baseline.
Whether you’re listing a townhome in Garner or a spacious ranch in Clayton, a tour gives buyers what they expect — and gives you the edge.
👉 Ready to Add a Virtual Tour to Your Next Listing?
Let’s get your next listing noticed.
Book your virtual tour session with Goodlook today.
Schedule Now Right Here
FAQs for Virtual Tours
Q: Do virtual tours really help homes sell faster?
Yes. Homes with 3D or interactive tours can sell up to 31% faster and receive significantly more online views — some estimates say as much as 87% more engagement compared to listings without them.
Q: What’s the difference between a video walkthrough and a virtual tour?
A video walkthrough is a passive viewing experience. A true virtual tour (like a Matterport-style tour) lets the buyer navigate through the home interactively, room by room, on their own time.
Q: Are buyers really making offers based on virtual tours?
They are. 63% of recent buyers said they’d be comfortable making an offer based solely on a virtual tour, especially when relocating or trying to act fast in a competitive market.
Q: Is it worth offering a tour for a smaller home or lower price point?
Absolutely. Virtual tours aren’t just for luxury listings anymore. They help all homes stand out online — and with more buyers browsing virtually, even starter homes benefit from added visibility.
Q: How do I add a virtual tour to the MLS or Zillow?
When you book with Goodlook, we provide MLS-compliant links and files that integrate seamlessly into platforms like Zillow, Redfin, and Realtor.com — no extra steps required.