Virtual walkthroughs reshape Australian property marketing
Australian home sellers and real estate agents are increasingly turning to video walkthroughs and 3D tours to reach buyers beyond their local suburbs, with new data showing these tools generate significantly more inspection requests than traditional photo-only listings.
When Brisbane homeowner Darren Pearce listed his property earlier this year, he faced a tougher market than anticipated. His agent, Shannon Harvey of Place Bulimba, recommended a property walkthrough video to broaden the audience. The result: buyer interest came from Cairns, interstate and as far away as Dubai.
“It gave buyers a much better sense of the flow, scale and feel of the property than photos alone can provide,” Mr Pearce said.
What do the numbers say about video listings?
Property walkthrough reels, continuous mobile-friendly videos of a home's layout, generate 43% more inspection requests than listings without video, according to recent industry data. A 2025 realestate.com.au survey found two out of three buyers said a good walkthrough video helped them feel emotionally connected to a property.
A separate 2025 Diakrit survey of Australian homeowners and buyers found buyers were 62% more likely to inspect a property in person if the listing included videos, 3D tours or other immersive content alongside photos and floorplans.
The same survey ranked photos as the most important marketing feature for 88% of respondents, followed by videos at 67% and 3D tours at 58%.
Why are agents embracing virtual tours?
Ms Harvey said walkthrough videos help time-poor buyers determine whether a home suits their needs before committing to a physical inspection.
“I've always had a philosophy: the easier that you make it for someone to make a decision, the faster you'll sell it and the better qualified the person will be,” she said.
Alex Jordan from McGrath Paddington agrees. He said walkthrough videos offer a more realistic and dynamic view than traditional promotional footage.
“It actually shows how all the spaces connect so I think it gives the viewer, the potential buyer, a lot more clarity and confidence when making a decision without a physical inspection,” Mr Jordan said.
He described video as the most effective way to convey layout, condition, aspect and neighbourhood context.
How do buyers benefit from virtual property tours?
Ms Harvey noted that many buyers cancel inspections because they are unsure whether a property warrants a visit. Walkthrough videos allow them to explore a home multiple times without inconveniencing the seller.
“So with the walkthrough video, they can walk through multiple times without bothering the seller, but also understand whether it's something they want to see in real life,” she said.
For sellers, the primary advantage remains reach.
“A buyer doesn't necessarily need to be standing in the property to start engaging seriously with it,” Mr Pearce said.
What is the outlook for immersive property listings?
While photos and floorplans remain essential, the growing adoption of video and 3D tours signals a shift toward more immersive digital experiences in Australian real estate. Agents who offer these tools say they attract better-qualified buyers and streamline the decision-making process.
As technology becomes more accessible and buyer expectations evolve, virtual walkthroughs are likely to become standard practice in property marketing across the country.
Photo: Real Estate Australia