Hi.

The latest project looks good.  I keep jumping in and out of the real estate market myself.  Being doing so for years.  Usually depends on how desperate I am.  

I've found in general when the real estate market is doing good they'll pay $150 for four tours in my area at the same location.  One realtor I have as a client will do $250.  With the market doing horrible right now though realtors have tightened up the purse strings and won't even pay $150 despite the quality being better then most out there in my area.

So I basically made the decision to set the price at $150 firm for four tours.  Usually only touch up the ceiling and floor.  If the realtor won't pay that I keep moving.  Not worth your time.

In contrast though.. I usually get between $150 - $250 per tour doing wedding chapels, hotels, limo interiors, etc..

In my experience if the Realtors aren't making money they in general won't come out of pocket to sell someones house.  Most just post still photos to realtor.com and consider it good.

No offense taken Pixelator. As our illustrious former leader Bill Clinton once said "I feel your pain". I have to deal with Realtors also.
The tour you posted seems to be of a new subdivision. Maybe you could contact the developer and shoot all the lots so they could post it on their website. Even if you charged 20/25 bucks a shot that could add up to a good paycheck and outdoor shots are so easy. Throw in tours of the amenities for free. Go after the builders, show them your product, have them tell their Realtor that they will require a tour. If they are doing a lot of homes in the same subdivision offer a free sample.
The tour you posted is very well done, my only objection is that it turns just a little slow to keep my attention and I like to have navigation buttons. What ever you got, they still got a bargain.

Here in on the West Coast of Florida there are VT photographers offering tours at $79 (5 or 6 tours + 6 or more stills). 4 a day would be $70K per year. 3 a day at $125 would be $90K per annum. Maybe more than anyone could do even if you could find the business.

I'm also a Realtor and I can tell you these are tough times with many Realtors getting out of the real estate business. So money is very tight. I am now looking to supplement my real estate earnings with some VT business. I doubt I could make a living doing either full time.

pixelator you asked for feedback on your posted tour. Forgive my comments because I have not as yet created even one Panoweaver tour and maybe a year from now when I know better what I'm talking about I can be more constructive. I have been a photographer for 30 years and sometimes that helps me see images, angles and composition. I think the problem you have with this tour is it lacks interest. Prehaps that's why realtor jerry thought it turned too slow! Technically it looks good but I don't think it is a good subject for a Panoweaver tour as the scenery is so similar for 360 degrees. I don't think it achieves the purpose  (persumably) of attempting to sell lots by making them look attractive. Having said that I don't know how anyone could make a lot look attractive! That's a tough thing to do. If the seller of the lots is happy then I guess that's all that matters. I hope you take my comments as well intentioned and just is my pathetic attempt to be constructive for you.

Chris

It is hard for me to be constructive, because I live in an other part of the world (Denmark) and I have never sold to realtors.

But the thing I missed most in your tour is a better skin. Yes the quality of the panoramas are important - but it is also important how they are presented. I would offer each individual realtor their own unique high quality skin developed be a pro graphic artist.

This way you would not only sell a virtual tour, you would help the realtor brand them self. And if you can help the realtor improve his image - you will also be able to charge more.

I also miss text areas exlpaining what I see.

Try and haev a look at Steve Vizmarks site and how they are targeting realtors. See it at http://www.vizmark.co.za/ 

They are succesfull - but they also have an whole other approach to doing tours.
They also present some of their tours in a virtual 3d brochure. A great idea to bring added value to the clients.

Best regards

Morten

pixelator,

 I am a realtor myself and  started doing my own tours in 1999 since the cost at the time was about $125 for a 4 scene tour. A complete Camera Kit (used Ipix) set me back $300 add in easypano software and I was making my own for under a $1000! It paid for itself in just a few tours. I've since made hundreds of tours and use them on every lisiting I have. I also do them for my buyers at home inspections (so they can show off their new home to friends and family) and provide them to the sellers at close for a memento.

As far as most of these $100 tours these days......they are CRAP!!! 

A true 360 degree tour properly photographed should bring at least $150 for the first 4 scenes and perhaps $25 for additional scenes. That is the going rate here in Northern Illinois. (And many of these are REALLY POOR QUALITY)

I would think your best sales tools would be samples of other/lesser tours. One look is all it should take to differentiate your superior product.

Perhaps you could partner with a realtor assocaition in your area and give a presentation on  "How to choose a virtual tour provider"

Best of luck,

David