Virtual Tours and Smart Home Tech: Selling Properties in a Hybrid Market

The internet is an essential tool in the real estate market. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 100% of buyers use the internet at some point to look for properties in their area. The web is an invaluable way to learn about potential properties and take virtual tours, allowing buyers to gain invaluable insights without ever leaving the couch. 

Both buyers and sellers need to be aware of how the digital world affects the real estate process. Use this guide, Virtual Tours Smart Home Tech: Selling Properties in a Hybrid Market, to understand how to promote your home while searching for available houses. 

Your awareness of what technology can do (and how to use it) can make you more informed as you look to buy, sell, or invest in a property.

Understanding the Hybrid Real Estate Market

The hybrid real estate market combines traditional ways of touring and evaluating homes with modern technology. Buyers often take a “digital first” approach to exploring homes, and then decide which ones they want to see in person.

While 100% of buyers use digital tools at some point in the home search, viewing a home in person is still important. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of buyers who purchased a home sight unseen peaked at 47%. This was partially because traveling outside of the house was unsafe and partially because of market conditions. In some areas, the real estate market was so competitive that sellers received bids within hours of listing. 

Now that the pandemic has passed and the market has cooled to a reasonable level, buyers feel comfortable touring homes again. As of 2025, only 5% of buyers purchased a home based solely on the virtual tour, without ever physically seeing the home.    

Sellers still need to create positive virtual first impressions and use digital tools to win over buyers. However, the house needs to look just as good in person as it does online.

The Rise of Virtual Tours in Home Buying

Digital tools are an essential part of the real estate industry, with more buyers requesting virtual tours and exploring properties on their smart devices before seeing them in person. Sellers need to be aware of their marketing options and should ask their real estate agents which digital promotion tools they offer. Here are a few online ways to win over potential buyers.  

• Virtual tours: Realtors can create in-depth videos and virtual reality experiences for buyers. Studies show 75% of buyers consider virtual tours when making their purchasing decisions.  
• Virtual staging: If your home is vacant, consider using virtual staging to show buyers what the house would look like when furnished. 
• 3D Tours: Beyond standard photos, these tours provide a better virtual home search experience. One study found 72% of buyers prefer 3D tours to static images. 
• Drone Footage: Buyers can see where the house is situated, highlighting the location advantages of the property. 

Some real estate businesses even recommend virtual open houses, where an agent hosts an event online and provides tours while answering questions. This option could be ideal to attract buyers who are traveling from out of state, whether they are looking for a vacation home or moving for work.

“Virtual tours help sell a home faster by giving buyers the live feel of accessing and exploring the home 24/7 from anywhere, attracting more interest and buyers,” says Jay Thomas at eXp Realty in Austin, Texas.

Digital tools are also useful because they passively support sellers. Potential buyers can engage in virtual tours for real estate and watch videos to learn about the home, increasing their interest in the property. By the time the buyer requests an in-person showing, they are already half in love with the property.

Combining Virtual and Physical Selling Strategies

Strategic real estate agents will balance digital home tours with in-person events to accommodate the different preferences of buyers. While almost every buyer looks at digital listings on their smart devices, the vast majority eventually want to see the home in person. 

As you interview agents, discuss the relationship between digital tools and real-life experiences. Make sure your Realtor doesn’t lean too far in one direction, either relying too much on mobile apps or ignoring augmented reality entirely. Here are a few tips to keep in mind.   

• Take a multi-faceted marketing approach. Use a combination of digital and in-person tools. The right buyer might want to engage with your house in multiple ways before making an offer. 
• Avoid catfishing. Don’t make your house look spectacular online if it needs major repairs and upgrades in person. You don’t want to win people over virtually and drive them away during an in-person visit. 
• Look for opportunities to increase your exposure. In a highly competitive market, your Realtor might recommend sponsored content to boost your listing on social media. This could give you a competitive advantage to attract buyers. 
• Balance AI tools with personal touches. While artificial intelligence can help with lead generation, the human experience will close the deal. Ask your Realtor to follow up with prospective buyers and ask for feedback on the home. 

Finally, be patient with buyers. Even with virtual tours, they might want multiple in-person visits before making an offer. A house is a major financial and life decision, which buyers don’t want to feel rushed into making.

Marketing Your Property in a Hybrid World

You don’t have to be an expert in the real estate industry to sell your home, and you don’t need to be a digital marketing professional either. However, it helps to have an idea of what your promotional options are, so you can choose the best ones for your property. Here are a few ways people explore properties remotely. 

• Multiple listing service (MLS): This is the online platform that real estate apps like Zillow pull from. Your agent can upload detailed descriptions, photos, and virtual tours here. 
• Social media: many Realtors have profiles on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. If your home is unique or located in a desirable area, it might get noticed online and attract buyers.
• Digital ad campaigns: Your agent might also recommend promoting your home in other online outlets. This is particularly valuable if you are looking for investment real estate transactions. 
• Email blasts: Even in 2025, email campaigns are going strong. Your agent might share your house with their network of agents to pass on to their buyer clients. 

The online world is also packed with metrics and data analytics to review. You can review insights like the number of views on your virtual tours versus the number of showings requested after engaging with digital content. Ask your Realtor what metrics they track and if there are baseline insights you can compare your listing to. 

Addressing Buyer Concerns in a Digital-First Process

While sellers need to adapt to the increasingly virtual nature of real estate transactions, buyers also need to become familiar with mobile apps and sites. Some might not be familiar with smart tech, while others worry that virtual home tours will make houses look bigger and nicer than they are. It’s up to real estate professionals to introduce new technology while tempering client expectations.

As a buyer, here are a few ways to embrace virtual reality while incorporating physical visits into the decision-making process. 

• Explore virtual tours and other online tools. Your smart devices can help you narrow down hundreds of listings in your area to a few top contenders. Think of these apps as a way to cut through the noise to find your dream home. 
• Schedule physical visits. Technology will not replace the in-person experience. Avoid making offers sight unseen, no matter how hot the market is. 
• Communicate your relationship with technology to your Realtor. The real estate expert you hire should tailor their services to your comfort level. Any smart features or tools to look at homes are completely optional. 
• Be open to new things. You might be surprised at how AI assistants and virtual home tours improve the buying process without sacrificing the human connection.

You are also welcome to ask questions about the technology. Your real estate agent should address any concerns you have, whether they cover privacy and data security concerns or simple user features.

The Future of Digital Transformation in Real Estate

Hybrid selling has become a natural part of the real estate process. Buyers look at online listings and use augmented reality to explore properties before touring them in person. Even once an offer is accepted, buyers often balance virtual contracts with in-office closing appointments. Technology will continue to shape how people conduct real estate deals, but many human elements remain.

Buyers and sellers who embrace this hybrid approach as the new norm will have an easier time in the real estate market. In the coming years, buyers are expected to use more online tools to purchase homes, while sellers embrace virtual viewings and other video content. Technology continues to move forward, creating new opportunities in the real estate field.

Mobile technology can make home buying easier, whether you are just starting out or searching for your dream home. Sellers can also enjoy increased leads and reach new buyers through the online world. It’s easier to embrace the innovations from the last decade for a smoother experience.

The Power of Blending Tech and Touch

Virtual tours and apps are an increasingly important part of the real estate process. Both buyers and sellers navigate the digital world to find each other and reach a property transfer agreement. While you aren’t required to use every tool available, consider how virtual reality and other options can help you sell your house. Trying new things could be a great way to attract buyers and move faster. 

Turn to FastExpert to find agents who have experience with the hybrid real estate world. They can recommend top tools and ideas to list your home or find one to buy. FastExpert also uses hybrid options. Users explore agent profiles online before meeting professionals in real life. Finding a Realtor you trust just got easier with FastExpert. Try it today.