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For real estate agents, adding a virtual tour to your listing on Redfin is one of the most effective strategies to attract serious buyers in today's market. Since the pandemic began, views of 3D virtual walkthroughs on Redfin.com have increased by 303%, demonstrating a clear shift in buyer preferences. This guide outlines the practical steps to feature both video tours and 3D walkthroughs, enhancing your listing's visibility and appeal while minimizing property foot traffic.
Redfin supports two primary formats for virtual property presentations: agent-submitted video tours and Matterport 3D walkthroughs. Video tours are guided walkthroughs, typically filmed by the listing agent, that provide a detailed look at the home. 3D virtual walkthroughs offer an immersive, interactive experience, allowing buyers to "walk" through the space at their own pace. Both formats are prominently featured within the listing's image carousel, making them highly visible to the millions of users on Redfin's website and mobile apps.
To ensure maximum exposure, it is crucial to upload your virtual tour to the local Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Redfin pulls data directly from the MLS, and depending on your region's MLS partnership, your video may be automatically displayed. For a guided video tour, you can also upload it directly to Redfin if your listing is in an eligible market.
The process for adding a video tour is straightforward. For direct upload, this feature is currently available in major metro areas, including Chicago, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Washington, D.C., and throughout Southern California. As a listing agent, you can use the Agent Dashboard—a tool adapted from the Owner Dashboard—to manage your listing.
First, claim your listing on Redfin and identify yourself as the listing agent. Within the dashboard, you will find an option to upload a video file. Redfin provides a detailed guide with step-by-step instructions and filming tips to ensure your video is high-quality and engaging. Remember, uploading the video to the MLS is also recommended to broaden its distribution across other real estate platforms.
Matterport’s technology creates a sophisticated digital twin of the property. The significant increase in views indicates that buyers actively seek out this format. A key advantage is accessibility; Matterport launched an app that allows agents to create a walkthrough using an iPhone 6 or newer model, with the first scan being free.
To feature a Matterport tour on your Redfin listing, you must submit the specific my.matterport.com URL to the MLS. Alternatively, you can contact Redfin’s customer support team for assistance. It is important to note that Redfin can currently only display walkthroughs with this specific Matterport URL. Links from other virtual tour providers will be displayed in the listing details section but not in the prominent photo carousel.
The Agent Dashboard is also your central hub for analytics. After claiming your listing, you can monitor key metrics such as the number of views and favorites your property receives on Redfin. This data is invaluable for keeping your seller informed with objective numbers about buyer interest, providing concrete evidence of your marketing efforts.
Based on our experience assessment, listings with virtual tours consistently receive higher engagement. The dashboard allows you to track this engagement over time, helping you make informed decisions about open houses or price adjustments.
Integrating virtual technology is no longer an extra but a core component of effective real estate marketing. To maximize your listing's potential:
The goal is to connect sellers with qualified buyers efficiently, and virtual tools are instrumental in achieving that in the current market.
