Everything You Need to Know About 3D Real Estate Tours
In today’s real estate market, buyers expect more than just photos—they want to experience a property before they visit. That’s where 3D virtual tours come in.
What is a 3D tour?
A 3D tour is an interactive photographic walkthrough of a property. Potential buyers can click their way from point to point, and from room to room, examining each space from various angles. It’s especially useful for buyers far away, who can’t visit the property in person.
How 3D Tours Work
Your real estate photographer will use a special 360 degree camera—a camera with two lenses that captures single images all around and up and down. They will take a series of these images, moving from spot to spot through the property, ensuring every key area is covered for a smooth, realistic walkthrough.
Then these images will get stitched together with special software. The software will place hotspots in the tour—icons depicting where each photo was taken from. The user will be able to move between hotspots in the final viewing experience.
Two Kinds Of Tours: Matterport & Kuula
If you’re in real estate, you’ve definitely heard of Matterport. It’s been the gold standard for virtual tours for years, and a lot of agents think it’s the only game in town. Spoiler: it’s not! There are other options out there, and each one has its own perks and quirks. My favorite alternative is Kuula, so I offer both—because one size never fits all. Let’s break down what you actually get with each.
Matterport 3D Virtual Tours
Matterport is the classic choice. The big draw? That famous “dollhouse view”—the 3D floor plan you can spin around and click into. It’s super immersive and gives buyers the feeling of actually walking through a home. Great for tech-savvy clients or anyone who wants the full “explore every nook and cranny” experience.
The downsides? There are two. That immersive navigation can be a bit much for some folks, especially if they’re not comfortable with tech. And while the image quality is acceptable, on full screen views it degrades. So although it can be a thrill to use, when clarity is a priority, it’s not the best option.
Kuula 3D Virtual Tours
Kuula keeps things simple and clean. The tours are easy to navigate—users can jump from one spot to another with clear prompts showing the recommended path. It’s less “walkthrough” and more “hop around and explore,” which some people love. At every point, you can look up, down, and all around , and I can set limits on the up/down angles, so nobody gets dizzy. And Kuula can deliver superior image quality.
And the negatives? No “dollhouse view.” If you love that 3D floor plan, Kuula can’t do it. And the experience is a little less immersive, more point-to-point. Some might call it utilitarian, but others find it refreshingly straightforward.
| FEATURE | MATTERPORT | KUULA |
|---|---|---|
| NAVIGATION STYLE | Immersive walkthrough, “dollhouse” view | Point-to-point, easy navigation |
| IMAGE QUALITY | Good, but can degrade at full screen | High, especially at full screen |
| FLOOR PLAN | 3D “dollhouse” provided | Not available, but we can provide additional |
| USER EXPERIENCE | Tech-forward, immersive | Simple, intuitive |
| CUSTOMIZATION | Limited | Flexible |
Hosting and Sharing
Both Matterport and Kuula tours are hosted online, so you can easily share a link with buyers or embed the tour directly in your listing.
FAQ
Do buyers need special software to view a 3D tour?
No—tours work on any computer, tablet, or smartphone.
Can I get a floor plan from a 3D tour?
Matterport includes a 3D floor plan; Kuula does not, but we can provide 2D floor plans if needed.
How long does it take to create a 3D tour?
Most homes can be scanned and processed within 24–48 hours.
Hire A Professional
Ready to let buyers explore your property from anywhere? Contact me to schedule your 3D tour or see more examples.