Frequently Asked Questions

What is a virtual tour?
A virtual tour is a series of 12 photographs and seamlessly stitched together to present a 360°-rotating image. This image will slowly turn around to see every aspect of the room. All of the images combined give a true, accurate image for viewers to feel the illusion as if they are present in the area.

How long does it take for a virtual tour to be shot?
All properties are different so it depends on the size of your estate. We use highly trained professionals who work quickly, smoothly and with a professional courtesy. Our average tour can be completed within an hour and a half.

How long after I call can I have the tour photographed?
We can set up a tour to be shot for you within 24-48 hours. Although, this is not a guarantee due to the multitude of requests that we receive daily. We do our best to coordinate the most appropriate time for you.

How long after the photos are taken until I see the tour online?
Our process is to work on your tour of your property and then upload them online as soon as we arrive back in our processing office. This strategy allows us to get the tour online, either the same day they are shot or the following business day.

Will you upload my tour for me?
Yes. We will upload your MLS number to sites such as Realtor.com, Homes.com, Homeseekers.com and others. We will also supply links to your tour, in case you would like to place them on your personal website or send them to clients.

How many scenes can be included in each tour?
The tour window supports 30 scenes in any combination of full 360, partial 360 or still images. It is possible to exceed the 30 scene limit for an extra charge.

Can I change the skin and text colors of my tour windows?
Yes. You can choose any color you wish for the skin and text colors of your tour windows. We can also match the colors of your tour window to the colors on your logo and/or website.

If I change my company or contact information, do I have to recreate my tours?
No. If you change your contact information, you simply need to let us know and we will update the changes in your online profile. All of your tours will automatically update and the existing links to the tours will remain the same.

Is there an additional charge for the setup of real estate tour templates/skins by your logo staff?
There is no additional charge for the setup of real estate tour templates or skins.

How much does an audio narrative clip cost?
Free streaming audio clips are available. Pricing for audio narration on a virtual tour can be found on our order forms contained on this website.

Can I place a link to school reports and city information on my tours?
Yes. You can have both a link to school reports as well as a link to city information on each of your tours.

Can I place a link to a map of the property location on my tours?
Yes. A link to a map of the property is automatically generated.

Can I place a floor plan on my tour?
Yes. You can add a floor plan image as a separate feature button below the view screen on the tour window or you can include a floor plan as one of your images within the view screen on the tour window.

Can I place a printable flyer on my tour?
Yes. If you have your own flyer, you can e-mail it to us and we can attach it to the tour for you or for additional price we will customize our template for you.

When is payment due?
All fees must be received before the date of your appointment. We will not process your payment until the tour is finished. We do reserve the right to instantly eliminate online tours if a check does not clear.

Can I download the tour onto a CD?
Yes. You can order CD's from us and we can distribute them to you quick and easily.

Where do you link the tours out to?
We will supply you with the links to your virtual tours so that you can place them onto your website and Realtor websites. If the virtual tour is a real estate tour, it is automatically sent to Homes.com, Homeseekers.com at no additional charge as long as the MLS sends their listings to those sites. PicturePath is available for an additional fee which pushes the virtual tour to Realtor.com, Homestore.com, Aol.com, and MSN.com.

What is the charge to post tours to Realtor.com using PicturePath™?
We use a virtual tour technology that is an approved PicturePath™ member of Homestore, Inc the operator of Realtor.com. This means that we are authorized to send virtual tours from our servers to the following websites: www.realtor.com, www.homestore.com, www.msn.com. Homestore, Inc applies a charge for each tour sent to the sites listed above. We pass on this charge on to you. The cost is $30.00 each time we send a virtual tour through the PicturePath gateway. All companies that post virtual tours to the Homestore network of sites are charged to do so. Companies that are not an approved PicturePath™ member are unauthorized to send virtual tours to the Homestore network of sites. We can also send your tours to www.homeseekers.com and www.homes.com at no charge to you.

Are tours expensive?
No. 360° tours are very economic way of advertising and/or selling your property. Instead of a week in the newspaper, they are online for an entire year, viewed more frequently and are cheaper than a listing in the newspaper. 360° tours are the best new way of marketing your property in this century!

What is your cancellation policy?
Virtual Tours Direct must be notified by phone 48 hours in advance.  Any cancellation with less than 48 hours notification will be charged a fee of $50. 

What is your refund policy?
We are so confident your property will sell within 180 days, we offer a full 100% money back guarantee.  Your property must be listed with Realtor.com and must remain actively hosted within 180 days.  Any change of agents or a decision not to sell voids guarantee.  If your property does not sell within 180 days you may choose to waive your refund and we will continue hosting your online virtual tours until it does!  Refund is only offered to properties for sale and does not apply commercial advertising. 

What about poor weather conditions?
If weather is an issue on the day of your shoot we will capture as much of the interiors as possible and reschedule at no charge to complete any exterior photography.      

Tour Preparation Tips

Our Process:

Our photographers will arrive promptly at a scheduled time to walk through the property and set-up our equipment.Depending on the size of the property, our process of capturing your estate will take approximately one-two hours. Immediately following completion of the shoot, we will download all photos and begin stitching virtual tours for your review. This process usually takes about 30 minutes. After your approval and sign off of the images and tours we will begin the website design. You will receive notification within 48 hours via email that your site is complete and provided the link to your new virtual tour website!

Your Checklist:

Outside

• Prior to our arrival, please move vehicles from the driveway and/or in front of the home.
• If possible, please remove the For Sale sign.

Inside

• Anything in the property that you would not like to see should be placed out of view, a closet or a room that will not be included in the tour.
• Kitchens- Clear the counters, refrigerator, sink, or island of anything that does not allow the viewer to see the details of the kitchen.
• Decorations that contribute to the character of the room may remain in the kitchen or any other rooms.
• Trash cans should be removed from view.
• Please place all toilet lids down.
• Remove all personal items from counter tops, any utensils or trash cans should be cleared from view.
• Shower curtains should be closed unless the inside shows character.

General

• Open all window blinds and/or curtains. Move anything that could block the view of the room.
• Turn all inside lights on
• Please make all beds of all bedrooms that you would like to be captured.
• Open doors between rooms to give an open feeling. If you have a certain room that is not included in to the tour, you may want to choose to close this door.
• Conceal cords.

  Following these simple steps in preparation for your Direct Virtual Tour will help your property stand out above the rest!

Thank you for choosing Virtual Tours Direct!