Real Estate Virtual Tours | How Much I Charge + Should You Do Them

In this video I go over Matterport Tours and Zillow 3D Home Tours for Real Estate. As a Real Estate Photographer, should you offer them as a service within your business?
I specifically go over the key differences between Matterport and Zillow tours, how much I personally charge for both of them and a few other key points to know.
If you are currently running a real estate photography business and LOOKING TO GROW IT, make sure you check out my 52 week email template (truly a game changer!) realestatemedia.pro/products/...
Here is the list of equipment I currently use:
- Canon EOS R | amzn.to/3te6cqw
- Canon 6D MKii | amzn.to/2QvWKAt​​
- Canon 16-35mm F2.8 | amzn.to/399pXrc​​
- Rode Wireless Go | amzn.to/3e0Zaz0
- Manfrotto 502 Series | amzn.to/2NGOlci​​
- DJI Phantom 4 Pro 2.0 | amzn.to/3f2C90Q​​
- DJI Ronis-S | amzn.to/2QvX3LD​​
- 128GB SD Memory Card ($19) - amzn.to/3r9I4nn​​​
- 128GB Micro SD Memory Card ($20) - amzn.to/30ZIRwe​​​
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Follow me on IG: @AlexMSerrao

[@daltonfisher8843]

This is perhaps the most useful KZbin video I have ever seen. Thank you.

[@Plumartiste]

Thanks so much for an organized and detailed video!!

[@mikevalencia1318]

I honestly appreciate the info sir! most real estate content creators wont even share this type of info.

[@claymcnamara]

Great video. Exactly what I was looking for.

[@kymdarling4080]

Thanks for the videos. I am retiring from my 'day job' this year and am doing pet photography as a side hustle. I was visiting my son, a real estate agent, this month and was helping him with pictures and video for his social media and thought it was fun and the proverbial light bulb went off in my head, heh, I bet this is a photography niche, Googled it, and wow, so much stuff, your videos have been very helpful

[@michaelaldridge4536]

Good Video, very informative…

[@christianmontenegroaraya1888]

Great video! Thanks for all the information!

[@TroySwezey]

Great bonus tip. Thanks.

[@robkeaton6143]

Excellent video. Lots of helpful information and you communicated it all very well. Thank you.

[@AlexSerrao]

Glad it was helpful!

[@PhotographyPX]

Great video Alex. Thanks a lot.

[@stanleybell2983]

Much needed, thanks

[@G-AUSTIN]

Thanks,very helpful video,greetings from Patagonia,Argentina!

[@1031ProductionsLLC]

Awesome video bro... Musch appreciated!

[@blackskylensesphotography]

Thank you @Alex. This is really quite insightful especially on the pricing and backup battery. I am a real estate photographer based in Kenya (land of running champions 🤣🤣) and I wanted to have more than just photos and this has really enlighten me. Thank you again and good job

[@AlexSerrao]

Amazing! Glad I could help

[@JR-wi8fe]

Very helpful content!! Video suggestion: photoshoot set up and editing. 😁

[@kakadosaj]

Thanks so much for the content ❤❤

[@jakesescapesmedia]

Great video Alex.

[@networkege]

Thank you very much very very good videos and techical information . I hope continue this videos. good bye

[@courierquest]

LOVE this video, thanks mate! Do you think it’s feasible to only offer 360 tours/floorplans and not photography? I lack the skills/equipment for photography but I already own a 360 camera.

[@tonymj1973]

Very helpful thanks

[@rfen56]

I've got 5 camera Theta V, SC, X, Z and an insta360. I think I've used practically all of the different software and have settled down to CloudPano and Ricoh 360 Tours. Matterport is nice but they take so much time.

[@werito82]

Great video! I actually started doing matterports first,even before offering photos, but lately the need for tours has dropped. I did signed up for Zillow tours but I don’t have a theta camera yet 😄. Maybe I’ll get a theta v from the marketplace since you said it’s good quality.

[@xMouseTrapDJx]

question how do you know how big the customer house or business is? How can you find that out?

[@ashleyriverahernandez3736]

@@xMouseTrapDJx ask the realtor or you can get it from Zillow by searching the address

[@Fredgeorge1000]

Great vid thank you

[@danafosburgh2775]

Good info! Can you do the equivalent of Mattertags using the Ricoh? Thanks

[@iLandBayProductions]

I went to Guitar Center and got mic stand cause it’s weighted and has worked great with 360 cameras I have. It’s not compact to travel with like a light stand but easier to edit out in post

[@tomedwards8679]

This is a great idea and I have at least three. Thanks for the great idea.

[@billbakerphotog312]

great video, to the point, very helpful...new sub here!

[@mmorton1227]

Could you possibly do a video that explains the process of getting clients

[@CostaMesaPhotography]

Great video...very helpful. I'd like to see a video showing your process of creating the zillow tour. E.g., do you have to color-correct images, do you have to do any clone stamping first, etc...

[@AlexSerrao]

You can’t edit anything in a Zillow tour. Just make each room as good as you can before taking the photo and that’s about it. The only editing you do afterwards is adjusting the arrows in the house to make it flow well

[@xMouseTrapDJx]

@@AlexSerrao question how do you know how big the customer house or business is? How can you find that out?

[@ErikHill1]

wow.. so good, ty! do you have any updated content from this one published a couple years ago? anything you'd change in this video knowing what you know now?

[@justalittledaf]

Thanks for sharing

[@PurpleQueenSmile]

Hello, can you please kindly help putting the link of the monopod you used in this video? I couldn’t find it online. That it has a space on the bottom area to plug into a portable charge is so useful. Thank you so much

[@Sejudo]

Great video!!! Thanks. Can you please share your camera settings for the virtual tour?

[@AlexSerrao]

There really aren’t any settings that you choose. Its all using the auto settings through Matterport and Zillow.

[@streetlifeinappleton]

Thanks, I was curious about pricing too...I was thinking kind of along the same lines, maybe just a bit higher, but I like that you only have 3 brackets or so.

[@capturenw]

The theta V and SC2 both suffer with purple fringing and the "red dot" lens flares

[@PawpkornVisuals]

Nice video! So to my understanding, with the Theta Z1, I can do just 360 Virtual Tours, but if I wanted to do RMS measurements and floor plans +3D model, I would need to purchase the Planix as well?

[@AlexSerrao]

I do floorplans with the Z1. I send my Matterport tour to a company called Home3DS and the make it from that. The measurements aren’t 100% exact but they are close.

[@pakiparler]

Hey quick question with Theta Z1 do you get the 360 manually or it rotates likes matterport?

[@stephent8220]

Has anyone done virtual staging for your clients and if so what program did you use?

[@stanleybell2983]

Let's talk about scanning commercial properties and generating floor plans

[@delfi7325]

Thanks

[@jessekuloba3429]

Thank you for sharing. I would really like zillion and matterport to have presence in Africa specifically uganda. Unfortunately we don't use these platforms down here

[@Wii-ex9se]

Great Stuff! Thank you for sharing, though I am bit curious why do you offer Matterport tours and Zillow tours as different packages if they both do the same thing?

[@tomedwards8679]

Alex, what battery charger are you using? All I am able to locate is a replacement battery. Thanks.

[@Badkitty24]

I am starting out on this as well. I am wanting to do my first 5 tours for Zillow to get the badge. I have a Theta Z1 to work with. My problem is...how do i contact agents or access the properties to do these first 5 tours, for free. I tried cold calling (message agent) but the Zillow rep never even read my message and assumed i was looking to buy..when my message CLEARLY stated i was a photographer. I've been an armature photographer for years, i've been very interested in 360 media since it came out. I've had the Gear360 2016 and 2018 models. Insta360 OneX and One X2..and now i have a the Z1. I also have DJI Mavic Air 2 for aerial 360 shots (no FAA cert, so no commercial use yet)

[@cinman8243]

Perfect timing Alex. I have been researching this topic the past 2 days. Question did you try doing tours with your camera and a fisheye lens? And if so would that work with the zillow tours?

[@AlexSerrao]

As far as I know you can’t do it with a fisheye lens. I know some tours like cloudpano you can do that way but with Matterport and Zillow you can’t.

[@klayf_]

@@AlexSerrao in the video the quality image of the zillow tour it's not that good :(

[@capturenw]

@@klayf_ Using Ricoh's theta Z1 you can produce a decent quality tour with little effort with the Zillow 3D home tour ~ The Z1 is also the best quality 360 camera within Matterport's ecosystem though the best camera for Matterport tours will still be Matterport's Pro2 camera

[@mediamannaman]

To do JUST a Zillow 3D tour without a floor plan you can use a Ricoh camera, Insta360, or even an iPhone camera. To do the Zillow 3D with a floor plan you have to use either the Ricoh or Insta360.

[@DroneshotsOregon]

So with the zillow tour you cannot upload that to the local MLS or Redfin?

[@gschiffverre]

How are you using theta with matterport if it doesn’t include dollhouse? Or does it?

[@hectori5105]

Super video. What power bank do you use for your 360 camera?

[@AlexSerrao]

Bought a 10k mah battery on Amazon. Not sure the brand

[@jacquay87]

Does the Ricoh Theta SC2 work with both Zillow and Matterport?

[@migmanzana1]

Great video. Thanks. Do you offer training on how to do virtual tours? I am planning to open a real state photo business.

[@AlexSerrao]

Actively making a full course. Hoping for a release in January

[@jorgesuarez2912]

I feel like every house I see on Zillow already has a video. How do you book shots with agents before it hits Zillow???? I feel like I'm missing a step.

[@robbergsma]

This is great! When you do both types of tours for one house, do you have to do a full scan for Matterport and then another full scan for Zillow?

[@isaacmora5508]

Hi! Did you find out how to do it? I'm getting into this business and that is one question that I can't answer yet.

[@stevehorvat69]

I have the same question. Do you do a full Zillow and then Matterport or can you take a shot with the Zillow app and then flip over to Matterport and do the same before you leave the room.

[@mediamannaman]

Yes, you have to do it twice. Matterport and Zillow both require you to take the pictures from their app on your mobile phone. But the Zillow really goes pretty fast - 10 to 25 minutes usually.

[@dzha15]

Hello, I want to open it, but I cant understand 1 thing. What do you sell when we are talking about the Virtual 3d tour? I mean, do you sell just a link with a 3d tour, or do you help with integration into the web site? Or what? thank you for your answer in advance

[@arthurlunais]

Can you use the Ricoh Theta SC2?

[@keridaplatypus10]

I’m a teacher but my old employer owns several care homes for the disabled and elderly and asked if I’d come back in the school holidays and create some virtual tours. I have a Z1 and am just trying to get a hang of it. I want the easy stitch really.

[@AlexSerrao]

That's a great idea! It's not hard to do but always good to get a little practice in first

[@johnmarkreed]

I have both The Matterport Pro 2 and The Rocoh Theta Z. My Matterport gets used 5 times more than my Ricoh. The Ricoh I have only used on Zillow 3D and vehicle interiors

[@AlexSerrao]

Do you notice a drastic difference in image quality?

[@johnmarkreed]

@@AlexSerrao I believe I see more grain and color casts using the Ricoh. But I think only other photographers care about that

[@xMouseTrapDJx]

question how do you know how big the customer house or business is? How can you find that out?

[@opaul7500]

@@xMouseTrapDJx Google it, and also Zillow could give all that info.

[@ryanstark4333]

Do the Thetas also create the Matterport doll house effect? Or are the matterport cameras solely needed for those?

[@mediamannaman]

Yes, the Theta cameras DO create a doll house.

[@cryptoinside8814]

I wonder if the true VR house tour is technically and economically feasible, how many more pictures/videos and hours it will take for a real estate photographer to take the videos/pictures for VR ? Probably a lot longer. Let me work on the technology.

[@josuetepozan81]

Do you think someone can make this a full time job? Say some city like in Atlanta Ga market. . And it is 2023 now. How do you think the Tetha V ( like yours) would do now? And what price do you think is good for a used one. Thanks.

[@lokarlobaat]

What about Ricoh theta sc2 for zillow tour?

[@virtualtourprofit]

I have this same shirt.

[@AlexSerrao]

It’s a great shirt haha

[@KadeemBooth]

Yessssssss

[@Favfn]

where can we buy that camera?

[@JaySoriano]

Would you recommend this over say, video walkthrough tours for making money?

[@AlexSerrao]

No I wouldn't. I always try to sell photo and video and then a virtual tour as an add-on to those. But at the end of the day it's up to the agent and what they want

[@tonyandjeaninehoppers2872]

Thanks for the great information! I’m just getting into real estate photography so I appreciate all the info. How much do you charge for a video of a house?

[@AlexSerrao]

It depends but I start around $300 for a basic video and can go up to around $800-$900

[@tonyandjeaninehoppers2872]

@@AlexSerrao I have one more question. I may have the opportunity to create a 360 tour for my local zoo. Any advice on how to calculate the cost? And thanks for replying to my first question!

[@AlexSerrao]

What a cool opportunity that would be! I’m not really sure how I would price that but there are a bunch of virtual tour groups on Facebook that I would try to join and ask around in those. The cloudpano group is a good one

[@tonyandjeaninehoppers2872]

@@AlexSerrao cool, thanks man!

[@behramcooper3691]

Great points. Pity that Zillow does only Ricoh Theta. I just bought an Insta360 One X2. Is it possible to shoot with the X2, but replace the EXIF data from a photo which is shot with Theta? I tried a VT at Klapty. The free option is not bad.

[@evocati6523]

I don't think you should defraud zillow by lying about what camera you used. If they want a theta then use a theta or don't do business with them. Even asking how to lie to them is a red flag and nobody should hire you because you have no integrity

[@opaul7500]

@@evocati6523 I see his question more as a tech capacity issue than an "integrity" one, not previously knowing or being in a position to judge his character. In the old days you used to have to have an apple file exchange folder adapter just to transition graphics from Windows to Apple. If such an adaptor exists between the Zillow and the Matterport before technology innovation catches up, that strikes me as what he's really interested in. Afterall he did buy the Matterport, and they ain't cheap, so it would appear that money is not the problem for him.

[@Orion33759]

@@evocati6523 seeming that Zillow doesn’t charge for its 3D services, seems kinda wrong to question his integrity when there’s no loss of money or nefarious losses occurring at any level with any party.

[@luasilva1995]

hi men i have a cuestion u charge this monthly or only one time ? thanks !

[@ecoriv78]

Sorry for the late question, if I’m understanding correctly it will not be a good idea to sell to dr offices as in need to keep paying for the hosting to matterport

[@ecoriv78]

Offices, restaurants, etc

[@kakadosaj]

How do you then make informed decisions on the pricing say its not a home

[@lingerseason]

Hey man really good stuff and super helpful. Question..when starting out did you consider doing only Zillow tours and not matterport? Matterport pricing just feels unreasonable especially for beginners.

[@makevideowork]

Hey, how did it go for you? Just asking because I want to get into it.

[@lingerseason]

@@makevideowork for me 3d tours were not it, not a lot of realtors find value in them. I polished my photography skills and networked a lot and now moving into video. I do it part time but it’s been really fun! Good luck

[@rodneyruffin2128]

Bro I love your videos. This is what I use for my theta to keep it charged. It hooks right up you your tripod.Battery Handle Grip, ULANZI BG-3 10000mAh Power Bank Grip Portable Charger Tripod Monopod for DLSR Action Camera Smartphone Vlogging Time-Lapse Shooting Live Streaming Filmmaking

[@xMouseTrapDJx]

question how do you know how big the customer house or business is? How can you find that out?

[@rodneyruffin2128]

@@xMouseTrapDJx I typically would find that information on Zillow. If you google the address all of the property information will pop up.

[@jimbob7332]

what about using the matter port axis and an iPhone 14 pro?

[@AlexSerrao]

I haven’t personally used it but my hot take is that it’ll be much quicker with a 360 camera and it’s more professional to be using a camera instead of a phone

[@_matis_]

Is Zillow available for people outside of the USA (EU) only for creating virtual tours? I am thinking of purchasing the Insta360 X4 for real estate only. I am not a photographer nor content creator. I would only use it for virtual tours and/or 360 live videos of real estate. I am not planning to open a business for now, if I pay back the cost of the camera (+ accessories) I would be happy. Of course, if the demand would be there, I would consider doing it full time

[@CSI760]

I have experience using a FARO S laser system. Which Ricoh do you recommend for me?

[@AlexSerrao]

I have not. I use the Theta Z1

[@KPAOOL]

Hey @Alex , if Matterport or Zillow could something better, what do you think it would be.

[@AlexSerrao]

Matterport has a lot of alignment issues that could be better but they are working on it. I think Zillow has been pretty good overall

[@CreateandCapture-yv3hx]

How do you like Kuula?

[@GeneMoretti]

Thanks for the video Alex but I charge much more than you do for a 360 tour, I use the Kuula platform.

[@OOM94582]

Thanks, Alex. May I ask for your locale?

[@fooook92]

I'm a freelancer in editing videos and with a big passion for drones. I watching with interest the Virtual Tours tours since a bit, and honestly I think I'll start with a Theta Z1 and use all your advices! I live in italy and need to understand how much I can charge, how to get paid, which services I could offer etc. I'll probably just specialize myself in virtual tours with drone videos/HDR phots as extra. Could be a nice starting point? Thank you!

[@cuckooclock8514]

Hi Fabio! I am thinking about starting a virtual tour company myself. I am just curious on why would you choose a drone over a Matterport camera? Btw, did you start your business? How is it going?

[@digital.frenchy]

@@cuckooclock8514 he said drone videos as extra ;)

[@Pulii]

How is it going Fabio?

[@bellux1516]

Alla fine hai piu iniziato? Sarei interessato anche io vorrei farti alcune domande se possibile

[@FranklinLiranzo]

Can you please share pointers on listing s that will remain active for years? for example; hotels, restaurants, airports etc... would you charge monthly?

[@AlexSerrao]

You can offer 3 months of free hosting and then charge a monthly rate. Something like that would work.

[@FranklinLiranzo]

@@AlexSerrao thank you so much - I appreciate the quick feedback!

[@smooth111012]

With Zella can you use an insta360 x3?

[@AlexSerrao]

I don’t believe so at the moment but that might change. They added in the theta X recently

[@jabariholder3816]

Hey, what is the reasoning for creating a Matterport Tour and a Zillow Tour? Aren't you able to post a Matterport Tour to Zillow? seems redundant to do both.

[@joaquinfilms]

As he mentioned in the video, the Zillow tour doesn’t cost him any money. With the matterport tour, he only has a certain amount of tours he can hold on his account before they charge him 300 a month instead of 60. And the Zillow one is completely free as well as easier and quicker to do from what I gathered in the video.

[@Diggz007]

How do you price a customer who needs a tour that is available perpetually? Like a party venue or so?

[@AlexSerrao]

We charge the same but we don’t host it. We make them signup for a matterport account and transfer ownership to them

[@ana-pauladumont66]

Hi Alex! Thank you for your informative video! It's filled with great information. Do you happen to have a video that provides insights on determining the appropriate charges for real estate photos? Please let me know. Thank you.

[@josephhernandez5155]

Great question i wanna know lol

[@ponceje2011]

Do clients also ask you to take drone/aerial photos and footage? Is that extra?

[@AlexSerrao]

We do a lot of aerial photos. We definitely charge for it

[@marcusgilmore4311]

🙏

[@delanohalo]

Thank you so much for all this information. What wide lens are you using? your hands looks like Popeyes when you stretch it out

[@shamimbeyzaee8619]

😂😂😂😂

[@joelrggizmo1373]

I don't see any recent videos. I haven't seen anything for this year. Or at least late 2023.

[@smiley0529]

I have never done Zillow tours only Matterport. Is there a way to call out multiple levels and stairs with Zillow tours?

[@AlexSerrao]

Yes! You choose which floor you are taking the photo on and name the room that it's in

[@xMouseTrapDJx]

question how do you know how big the customer house or business is? How can you find that out?

[@Orion33759]

@@xMouseTrapDJx use any real estate app and search the house address??

[@costakiriko]

is insta x3 compatible with Zillow tours

[@AlexSerrao]

From Zillow: "The 3D Home app supports the Ricoh Theta V, Theta Z1 51GB, Theta Z1, Theta SC2 and Theta SC2 Business, and Theta X."

[@hopefully2224]

The prices seem so low? It takes 5 hours and you only charge $95 in some cases. How do you make profit? You still have to buy the equipment, time to get there, time to shoot the home, etc.

[@joelrggizmo1373]

What is current now?.

[@AndrewHorezga]

How do you make any money? $175 for a home...how many do you have to do in a day to make your numbers work? IE: Marketing costs, transportation costs to site and back, time editing...etc.... seems really low.

[@rocus80m]

Not getting it either... I work in sales and make a 6 figure per year... I was considering the tours just as a little hobby and small ad to my salary, but I wouldn't even get up for a $100 virtual tour lol absolutely agree with you, not getting the numbers here

[@AlexSerrao]

It’s always an add-on to photos. A photoshoot is usually around $300. If they get photos/Video and then Zillow/Matterport tour I’ll be around $1000 for 3 hours of work. I never (rarely anyways) just do a virtual tour as the only thing.

[@AndrewHorezga]

@@AlexSerrao That makes sense. Thank you for the reply!

[@Avm371998]

@@AlexSerrao and how many clients per week on average?

[@katchreinberger6601]

@@AlexSerrao the problem to use Matterport are the price extremely expensive and the clients just no want to pay

[@HJBProductionsLLC]

How do you survive with those prices?

[@galaxynote20ultra80]

Silly little camera? Wow!

[@AlexSerrao]

Lol it’s a great camera

[@jedvolkmanfilms5284]

Subbed

[@AlexSerrao]

Thanks Jed!

[@digital.frenchy]

why does it die on you? cuz it's a cheap 5 years old camera, lol. Wouldn't have this problem with the Theta Z

[@jackies35]

Do you charge per hour?? Or per visit/home?

[@jackies35]

Oh, you charge by the home size.

[@Cookie-fv9jn]

I heard iPhone's and iPad's have lidar and can do virtual tours. I wonder if the quality is that different?

[@AlexSerrao]

I know you can do that but I’ve never personally done it

[@evocati6523]

Lidar is ground penetrating, high end technology. Phones have basic radar

[@itsrelativ3967]

They can but clients are d1cks and think you're amateur if it's not Canon, Nikon, Sony or a drone.

[@albertocreator]

If a house is 2500 Sf you charge 95 for the total tour?

[@AlexSerrao]

For the Zillow Tour as an add-on. The vast majority of the time we do virtual tours as add-ons not standalone services.

[@digital.frenchy]

i just find it a little odd that to avoid spending 600$ (That's what, a couple of tours?) you wouldn't invest in a much better camera like the Z but maybe it's just me. Your Clients not complaining doesn't mean you shouldn't provide the best quality and value to them at a very little extra cost to you, especially when in 10 years everybody will use VR glasses and that actually lower and higher quality pictures will make a whole lot more difference!!

[@DancersUruguay]

I just hope that in 10 years the home has been sold. It would be just sad to know that they are still trying to sell the house, with the Ricoh Theta V 360° tour images...

[@organicvids]

Why not just do drone vid on youtube?