Zillow vs. Matterport: Comparing 3D Tours, Interactive Floor Plans, and Their Impact on Home exposure

In today's competitive real estate market, standing out from the crowd is essential. As a real estate agent, you know how crucial it is to present your listings in the best possible light. One tool that has gained significant traction in recent years is the use of interactive floor plans, particularly on Zillow. Let’s dive into why these tools can be game-changers for your listings and how they stack up against other virtual tour options like Matterport.

Why Interactive Floor Plans on Zillow Make a Difference

1. Sell Virtually:

A majority of homebuyers—69% to be exact—agree that a dynamic floor plan showing which part of the home each photo depicts helps them determine if a home is right for them. This feature provides a more immersive and informed experience, allowing buyers to virtually explore a property and visualize how they might live in it. By offering this level of detail, you're giving potential buyers the confidence to take the next step, whether that's scheduling a showing or making an offer.

2. Get Noticed:

Visibility is key in real estate, and Zillow’s platform is designed to give listings with interactive floor plans a significant boost. On average, listings with an Interactive Floor Plan receive 60% more views than those without. This means more eyes on your property and a higher likelihood of attracting serious buyers. In a market where every view counts, this advantage can be the difference between a quick sale and a listing that lingers.

3. Be Top of Mind:

Not only do homes with interactive floor plans get more views, but they’re also saved more frequently by potential buyers. Listings on Zillow with this feature are saved 79% more than those without. This increased engagement means that your listing stays top of mind for buyers who may be considering multiple properties.

The Zillow Advantage Over Matterport

While Matterport has long been a popular choice for virtual tours, it doesn’t offer the same level of integration and promotion on Zillow's platform as their interactive floor plans do. Matterport tours, while visually impressive, don’t receive the same boosted exposure on Zillow, which can limit their effectiveness in driving buyer interest.

One of the standout features of Zillow’s Interactive Floor Plan is the seamless way it combines a floor plan with the photos of each room. This integration helps buyers understand the layout of the home in a way that Matterport’s 3D tours, which require users to click through each room, might not. The ability to see exactly where each photo is taken on the floor plan offers clarity and context that’s incredibly valuable to buyers.

Comparing Zillow 3D Home Tours and Matterport

While both Zillow 3D Home Tours and Matterport tours allow buyers to explore a property at their own pace, there are some differences to consider:

1. Customization and Detail: Matterport tours typically offer more customization options, such as the ability to create "dollhouse" views (a 3D model of the entire property) and detailed floor plans. These features can be especially appealing for luxury homes with intricate details that buyers want to explore closely.

   
   

2. Interactive Elements: Matterport tours often include additional interactive elements, like measurement tools and tags that highlight specific features. These can be useful for showcasing unique architectural details, making Matterport a strong option for properties where these features are a selling point.

   
   

3. Visual Quality: Matterport tours generally offer higher visual fidelity, which can enhance the presentation of high-end listings. The ability to zoom in and out and rotate views with greater fluidity can make a significant difference in how a property is perceived online.

On the other hand, Zillow 3D Home Tours are well-integrated into Zillow’s platform, making them more likely to be promoted and seen by a larger audience. They provide a solid level of interactivity and user engagement, which can be sufficient for many listings, especially when combined with Zillow’s Interactive Floor Plan feature.

The Pros of Matterport

Matterport’s “Play” button feature allows viewers to watch a video-style tour of the home without manually clicking through each room. This can offer a more user-friendly experience for certain buyers, giving them a complete walk-through of the property in a passive way.

Matterport’s immersive 3D tours can also be beneficial for showcasing luxury properties or homes with unique architectural details that are best appreciated in a virtual walk-through. The ability to zoom in and out, add notes, rotate the view, and explore the property at one’s own pace with high visual fidelity is a strong selling point for this platform.

Conclusion: Choose the Right Tool for the Right Buyer

Ultimately, the choice between Zillow’s Interactive Floor Plans and Matterport tours comes down to understanding your audience and the type of property you’re marketing. For listings where increased visibility and engagement on Zillow are crucial, the interactive floor plan offers clear advantages. On the other hand, for properties that benefit from a more immersive, detailed experience, Matterport remains a solid option.

By leveraging the strengths of both tools, you can ensure that your listings not only stand out but also provide potential buyers with the information and experience they need to make informed decisions. In doing so, you’ll be better positioned to close deals faster and more efficiently in today’s digital-first real estate market.

Sources

• National Association of Realtors. (2024). The Importance of Floor Plans in Real Estate.

• Zillow Research. (2024). Interactive Floor Plans and Home Listings.

• Matterport. (2024). Matterport 3D Tours Features.

Brooke Haven Media