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A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Virtual Home Tour

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The COVID-19 economy has pumped up consumer demand for virtual home tours. These presentations, created using 360-degree and 3D tour technology, provide an immersive experience for viewing homes while limiting in-person contact.

Virtual tours give buyers a perspective on the home’s layout and flow that can’t be achieved with still photos, says consultant Jeff Turner of Santa Clarita, Calif. The tours help buyers weed out houses that are in their price range but that don’t fit their style, says Turner, a consultant to virtual-tour provider Immoviewer and entrepreneur in residence at Second Century Ventures and Reach , the National Association of REALTORS®’ strategic investment arm and award-winning technology accelerator. “Consumers are hungry for the opportunity to have a better online shopping experience, and to me, that’s the promise of 3D, 360-degree virtual tours.”

Data shows that virtual tours drive sales, says Amir Frank, a content manager at Matterport in Sunnyvale, Calif. Matterport studied MLS transaction data from the South, Southwest, Northwest, and Midwest from November 2016 to November 2019. The results showed listings with a 3D tour sold for up to 9% more and closed up to 31% faster than listings without them.

The cost and complexity of virtual tour technology have come down in recent years, making these tours more accessible for real estate professionals. To help you create exceptional virtual home tours, here’s a step-by-step guide to gathering equipment; preparing to shoot and edit the photos; uploading and editing the images; creating the tour from walkthrough to exit on an online platform; and publishing and marketing the tours.

Step 1: Choose Your Equipment and Platform

“We’re in the golden age of 360-degree cameras,” says Turner. “I’ve got within my grasp, right now, six different 360 cameras. All cost between $250 and $500. The cost shouldn’t be a barrier for anyone who’s doing any volume of home sales. I have a 3,400-square-foot house here in Southern California, and I can capture and turn this into a usable tour in less than 20 minutes.

“These are one-click tools,” he adds. “You don’t have to focus them. And the quality of these low-cost cameras has been improving over time dramatically.”

“To shoot a 2,000-square-foot home, it takes this [Ricoh Theta V] between five and 10 minutes,” agrees Peter Schravemade of Maroochydore, Queensland, in Australia, relationship manager for Box Brownie, a company that offers turnkey photo editing, virtual tours, and other services for real estate pros.

Besides its affordability and speed, says Schravemade, the Ricoh camera allows you to “bracket” to create the best possible images. Bracketing means taking the same photo multiple times, each with a different exposure, which helps ensure your tour includes exceptional interior and exterior views. He recommends shooting from three to five different exposures, then editing them together to create a bracketed image.

Matterport’s higher price results from its function as both a camera and a scanner, taking 360-degree tour photos, then creating a dollhouse-like floor plan. The floor plan is the major advantage, says Bill Lublin, CEO of Century 21 Advantage Gold in Philadelphia. Using the “dollhouse” format, viewers can go from room to room easily. However, it takes one to two hours to upload the Matterport tour, so it’s a slower process than what the Ricoh products offer.

Whatever 360-degree camera you use, you’ll also have to download a smartphone app or invest in a hosting platform for your tours. You’ll upload your photos to that platform for storing, editing, and sharing.

Step 2: Organize Photography, Lighting, and Camera Placement

Before you start shooting, open your photography app or hosting platform, and then place your 360-degree camera on your tripod. “I like to take photos exactly how I would move through a house,” says Turner, “starting with the exterior.” Take one photo from across the street and another in the front yard. Photograph both sides of the house if there’s room for your gear; then move around the house, and capture the backyard. When you’ve finished shooting the exterior, open the front door and photograph the entryway. Before taking interior shots, open doors and turn on all the lights. Open blinds and curtains, unless the view detracts from the image. “Then navigate through the house and take photos, as many as is necessary to allow people to flow through it.”

Inside, place the tripod in the center of each room with the camera set at eye height, above furniture and countertops. Then leave the room to take the photo using the smartphone app. You can take one photo per room, unless you’re bracketing your exposures or the size of the room requires more. Large rooms may need two or three images from different positions.

A Matterport camera requires a different workflow. The camera scans every corner of the room, creating a 3D dollhouse-like floor plan. Frank suggests starting at the lowest level and working your way up. Position the camera to take shots from the center of hallways and at each room’s entryway. Then put your Matterport camera in each corner of the room to create a feel for room size; the number of photos will assist the software as it forms the 3D dollhouse model.

Step 3: Upload the Tour

There are hundreds of 360-degree tour providers and hosting platforms, including Matterport, Ricoh360 Tours, Ogulo, Immoviewer, Box Brownie, Giraffe360, and EyeSpy360, says Schravemade. Many have apps that upload your photos as you take them. Editing tools on many of the platforms will stitch your images together for a seamless tour experience.

Costs vary by platform and complexity. Immoviewer has a subscription model that runs from $69 per month for five active tours to $159 per month for 20. Box Brownie uses a pay-as-you-go model in which a tour with up to 15 photos costs $16, one with 16 to 25 photos costs $24; options for image enhancement start at $1.60, and 360-degree virtual staging is priced at $64. The more complex Matterport tours fall in the $250 to $400 range.

Step 4: Create the Tour, From Walkthrough to Exit

Many editing programs, including Box Brownie and Immoviewer, will put your photos in the right sequence as they upload; as long as you take your photos in the order of the flow of the home’s floor plan, they’ll be properly arranged for the virtual tour.

If you’re using Matterport’s software, after you upload your photos, they’re processed into the 3D model in the correct order. You can then start adding “Matter Tags” and highlight reels, embedding videos and brochures, and labeling rooms and dimensions, says Frank.

If you have the editing skills to stitch the images together yourself, Schravemade recommends programs such as Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop, available as an online subscription for $9.99 per month as part of the Adobe Creative Cloud package. (A subscription to the full Adobe Creative Cloud costs $52 per month, but most users need only those two apps.)

With Immoviewer, “those tours are live the moment they’re uploaded. So if you’ve got a good [wireless] connection from the house and you use the app, the moment those images are uploaded, that virtual tour is live and ready to go,” Turner says.

Matterport’s detailed scanning and photography process can take a couple of hours to finish uploading. Once that upload completes, it then takes 24 to 48 hours to process. That’s when you’re able to start tagging and adding specs and points of interest. Box Brownie uses manual stitching for its photo editing process and has a 24-hour turnaround, says Schravemade.

Step 5: Publish and Market the Tour on Multiple Channels

Platforms such as realtor.com®, many MLSs, and social media are ideal places for publishing your virtual home tour. You can embed the tour link in email campaigns and text messages or drop it straight into Facebook, says Schravemade.

Once the images and 3D model have been created, Frank says, the Matterport system “automatically generates photos it thinks are usable in your marketing campaigns, as well as a few short teasers, which are great; you can easily download a GIF or MP4 [video] file and use it in your marketing campaigns.”

Make virtual home tours part of everything you can, whether it’s inexpensively with Immoviewer or Box Brownie or more fully immersive with detailed Matterport tours, Lublin advises. “People are more hesitant to enter properties now, but there’s a tremendous demand, and providing them the ability to see and choose to eliminate properties online is a powerful tool,” he says. “You always want to be seen as tech-forward. Now it’s easy to be tech-forward.”

Turner estimates 95% of listings still don’t have a true virtual tour, even amid the pandemic. “I wish [agents] wouldn’t be so hung up on perfect image quality, especially with a virtual tour,” he says. “Do one, get it up there, and give consumers this experience they’re looking for. A 360-degree camera is going to do a really good job of capturing an above-average image of the room.”

What You Need to Create 3D Home Tours

• Camera: $250–$3,500. Experts interviewed for this article recommended a range of options, including the Ricoh Theta V ($380); Insta360 One X ($456); Ricoh Theta Z1 ($1,000); and Matterport Pro2 ($3,400).
• Tripod or monopod: $25 to $50
• Extra battery: $30 to $40
• Battery charging station: $20 to $40
• App: Virtual-tour providers have apps that enable you to upload 3D photos to create tours.

On a Budget

For about $15, you can get a selfie stick, attach your smartphone to it, and walk through a listing, narrating as you go and pointing out features people might otherwise see more readily in an in-person tour. It’s not a true virtual tour, but it’s an economical way to create a tour to post to social media and aggregator sites.

Hear From the Experts

The National Association of REALTORS®’ recent three-part TechEdge series took a deep dive into virtual tours. The June 30 session, “The Virtual Agent,” was hosted by broker-owner Bill Lublin and featured Jeff Turner and Peter Schravemade. REALTORS® can purchase a recording of the session for $14.95 at nartechedge.com .

Mandy Ellis

Related content, 10 tips for looking your best on video, 6 steps to running a virtual open house.

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Real Estate | How To

How to Create a Virtual Tour for Real Estate in 10 Steps

Published July 3, 2023

Published Jul 3, 2023

REVIEWED BY: Gina Baker

WRITTEN BY: Kaylee Strozyk

This article is part of a larger series on Real Estate Lead Generation and Marketing .

1. Determine the Best Type of Virtual Tour to Offer

2. choose the right equipment, 3. select virtual tour software, 4. plan the shots for your virtual tour.

• 5. Clean & Stage Each Room

6. Level the Tripod

7. take test shots, 8. take all photos on your image shot list, 9. compose your virtual tour, 10. share your virtual tour.

• Statistics & Benefits of Creating a Virtual Tour

Bottom Line

Virtual tours allow prospective buyers to interact with a home and look at features in detail without being on-site. This can greatly increase the reach of your listings, so it’s essential for agents to know how to create them. To create a virtual home tour, start by deciding the type of virtual tour you’d like to create, choosing your equipment, and planning your shots before taking your photos. Additional details like leveling the tripod, staging each room, and using virtual tour software are also vital to creating a virtual tour.

Many real estate agents avoid creating virtual tours because of the assumed time, effort, and expenses. However, companies like Asteroom remove those obstacles by offering affordable and easy-to-use software, as well as a simple 3D tour kit for creating high-resolution virtual tours right from your smartphone. The kit provides tools to turn your smartphone into a 360-degree camera to create tours in 15 minutes. Start creating virtual tours with Asteroom today.

Visit Asteroom

Here are 10 steps on how to create a virtual tour for real estate in greater detail:

“Virtual tour” is an umbrella term used to describe a few different types of interactive property photos or videos. These include video walk-throughs, 3D virtual tours, and interactive 360-degree virtual tours. However, it’s important to know that a slideshow of listing photos set to music is not a virtual tour since it does not recreate the experience of being inside or walking through a property. True virtual tours have some element of interaction for viewers so they have a clear understanding of what it’s like to visit the property in person.

The three main types of virtual tours include the following:

Walk-through

A video tour or walk-through is exactly what it sounds like—a video showing the home as the agent or photographer walks through the property, or in other words, a guided walk-through of a property. Video tours are the least interactive virtual tour option, but they are the easiest to create using anything, from smartphones to highly sophisticated digital video equipment.

Video tours can be created in 10 to 15 minutes by walking around the home with your smartphone or a camera, like this example from Nava Realty Group:

Real estate video walk-through (Source: YouTube )

Video tours are one of the easiest ways to add an engaging and unique element to your property listings, but that’s only the beginning. In fact, video is the most engaging type of social media content, with 66% of users saying that short-form video is even more engaging than long-form. Therefore, make sure you take advantage of the marketing power of video.

3D Virtual Tour

3D virtual tours are not videos but are interactive experiences that allow users to click through 3D images and experience what it is like to move through the property. They are created by taking multiple photos of each space with a panoramic camera lens, then using virtual tour software to stitch the images together. The result is an interactive experience that allows viewers to more clearly understand the floor plan, view spaces from different angles, turn around, and back up in each room to see details.

Because this type of virtual tour is created from static images and not from video, the flow from room to room can feel jumpy, like looking at something in Google Street View. However, they provide considerable value to potential buyers because they can virtually “walk” through the property at their own speed and look at spaces in detail.

Clickable virtual tour (Source: Zillow )

Another affordable way to easily create a 3D home tour is with the Zillow 3D Home Tours . It’s a free app that works with 360-degree cameras and smartphones to capture panoramas and generate an interactive home tour. The tour can then be shared on the MLS, the Zillow listing, social media, and your website. Try the app today.

Visit Zillow

Interactive 360-degree Virtual Tour

360-degree tours offer an immersive, true-to-life experience of walking through a home, similar to wearing a virtual reality (VR) headset. Of course, learning how to make a 360-degree tour requires more specialized equipment and software than the other types of virtual tours, but the result will help you and your listings stand out from the competition.

Sample residential 3D tour from Matterport (Source: Matterport 3D tour example )

360-degree virtual tours, like 3D tours, require you to set your camera in the center of the room. Then, you must activate your 360-degree camera, and it will rotate to take a high-resolution, 360-degree photo of its surroundings. Each photo is then uploaded to special software, where text, links, and other interactive multimedia content can be added to the photos—creating a highly dynamic experience for the viewer.

One of the reasons that some agents avoid learning how to make virtual tours is that they are confused or intimidated by the equipment necessary to create them. In reality, the growth of virtual reality (VR) and 360-degree photography has increased the number and type of equipment options available. In fact, some virtual tour kits are extremely affordable and user-friendly, showing you how to do a virtual tour by using your smartphone or a DSLR camera.

Many real estate photographers and professionals agree that the best way to create a virtual walk-through is by using a DSLR rig. A “rig” basically means adding equipment accessories to your DSLR to create a virtual tour. When you’re figuring out how to create 360-degree virtual tours with a DSLR camera rig, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of equipment and accessory options. However, the basics will always include:

• DSLR camera: A few great DSLR options for creating virtual tours are the Sony a7R series , Sony a6000 , or Nikon D3500 .
• Fisheye lens: This type of lens allows you to get the widest angle. Before selecting one, research cropped, circular, and diagonal fisheye lenses.
• Tripod and/or monopod: A tripod sits on a surface and holds your camera steady, while a monopod has only one leg, and is used for shooting smooth 360-degree videos.
• Panoramic tripod head: In addition to a tripod that holds your camera steady, virtual tours and 360-degree photos will require a tripod head for panoramic photos. Evaluate whether you need a manual or automatic tripod head.
• Carry case: While this may seem like an optional piece of equipment, it’s necessary to keep your equipment safe, secure, and easy to transport around the property.

On the other hand, advanced 360-degree cameras provide higher quality photography and videography with more extensive tools, features, and accessories.

Here are a few of the top virtual tour cameras on the market:

In addition to having the correct equipment, having good quality software is essential for learning how to make a virtual walk-through. There are a variety of software programs at every price point, and they help you create different types of tours.

Make sure you research your equipment and software options to ensure that all of your purchases work together effectively. Read through reviews, compare prices and features, and search for examples of photos taken with each type of camera to help you decide on the best fit for your needs.

To start, check out the following four top virtual tour software programs:

As you learn how to create a virtual tour, you’ll find that it requires more planning and preparation than still photos. Those who are successful in real estate know how to develop systems to improve their listing process and overall success.

Start by making a list of every room in the house that should be included in the virtual tour walk-through. Before the shoot, walk through the home, find the center of each room, and make sure your camera will be able to capture and highlight the features of each room from that vantage point.

Matterport 3D dollhouse (Source: Matterport )

If the center doesn’t work, find a place where your camera will pick up the most detail and mark the spot with a piece of tape. Don’t forget that every space matters to a potential buyer, so it’s important to include rooms like bathrooms, walk-in closets, and mudrooms in your virtual tour. Creating a shot list ahead of time can help make sure you don’t leave anything out.

Download our free virtual tour shot checklist to get started:

FILE TO DOWNLOAD OR INTEGRATE

Thank you for downloading!

5. clean & stage each room.

With your virtual tour plan in hand, make sure the home is physically prepared for the photo shoot. At a minimum, remove anything that stands in the way of the lens or anything that might be distracting or look like clutter. In addition, consider using additional home staging tips like depersonalizing, removing excess or mismatched furniture, or even adding a new coat of paint.

Living room before and after virtual staging with BoxBrownie (Source: Facebook )

For the best results, consider in-person home staging or using a virtual staging company . Staging a home has an enormous impact on the buyer’s perspective, especially in virtual home tours where they are likely to zoom in on photos and actively search around each room.

Top virtual staging companies, like BoxBrownie, create highly realistic images for an affordable price with an incredibly fast turnaround. Virtual staging with BoxBrownie enables you to produce the most efficient and effective strategy, driving maximum traffic to your listings.

Visit Box Brownie

As you learn how to make virtual walk-throughs, there are certain steps you must remember to take for every shot. Making sure your tripod is level will only take a few seconds, but it’s essential for any image, video, 360-degree, or panoramic photo you’ll take. In real estate photography , having clear lines and angles is absolutely essential. Don’t try to create panoramic or 360-degree images without a level place to put your camera.

If your tripod does not come with a built-in bubble level, simply download a leveling tool on your smartphone, like Bubble Level for iPhone or iHandy Level . Level the tripod by adjusting the legs until the bubble is centered between the lines.

At the beginning of your shoot, test each shot on your image list. As you learn how to make a virtual tour that generates leads , you’ll notice specific details that need to be adjusted, like lighting, the camera angle, or oddly placed decor.

Real estate photoshoot with Matterport camera (Source: Mantle Realty )

If you notice something distracting in the shot, move the camera or stage the items in the room accordingly. Keep an eye on any mirrors, glass, or windows, making sure you and your camera do not appear as a reflection in the pictures. If you do, pick a different place to stand and operate the camera remotely.

With a thorough shot list and the correct camera settings, you’ll be ready to move through each room on the property to take pictures. Find the spot you planned in each room, set up your tripod, and take pictures. Check each image on the camera screen before moving the tripod, retake shots as needed, and confirm you have all the images you need before moving on to the next room. It’s better to have too many photos than too few.

Once you have all of the correct shots of the property, it’s time to create the virtual tour with your software. Regardless of what equipment and tools you need, the process of how to make a 3D tour will generally follow these three steps:

• Upload Images to Software
• Add Extra Features
• Consider Outsourcing the Virtual Tour

Uploading images to virtual tour software (Source: EyeSpy360 )

Start by uploading your images into your software program. If it’s your first time creating a virtual tour, the software may teach you how to make a virtual tour through step-by-step prompts. Go through the steps of adding static or panoramic images, and the software will stitch static images together for 3D virtual tours and assemble the panoramic photos for 360-degree tours.

Virtual tour creator (Source: iStaging )

Most software programs include additional features to improve your tour and enhance the viewer’s experience. These can include audio descriptions, interactive links (also called hotspots), music, or text. Depending on your software choice, click on settings or the edit button to get a choice of extra features to add to your virtual tour. Viewers will be able to back up, zoom, or change directions automatically with their mouse when the virtual tour is complete.

Virtual tour freelancers (Source: Fiverr )

Virtual tour software providers have made the process very simple, but that doesn’t mean every agent has the knack for editing videos or learning high-tech software programs. Many new real estate agents attempt to do everything themselves, but there are many cases when outsourcing is the most efficient way to create a virtual reality tour, 3D tour, or floor plan.

It’s easy to find a professional freelancer to help make a virtual tour on Fiverr. Just search for a virtual tour freelancer and browse through hundreds of profiles, examples, and reviews. Before beginning your project, you can even contact freelancers to ask questions and agree on a price. See who’s available on Fiverr today.

Visit Fiverr

Once you’ve finished creating your virtual tour, take every opportunity to advertise it on your listing. Many virtual tour software programs provide a link or HTML code to embed the tour on websites, emails, or social media. In fact, it’s best to develop a system for sharing and promoting your tour and add that to your marketing or open house checklist .

Here are some of the best places to share your tour for maximum reach:

• On your IDX website
• Single-property websites
• Zillow listing
• Email campaign
• Social media
• Real estate newsletter

Virtual tour with real estate logo (Source: Ricoh360 Tours )

Statistics & Benefits of Creating a Virtual Tour

Although there are many tools on the market to make the process of creating a virtual tour easier, the reality is that it requires additional time, money, and attention to complete. It’s important for you to evaluate whether or not this is a crucial element of your real estate listing marketing plan .

However, there are a few major benefits to creating and publishing VR tours:

• Fewer wasted appointments: Although it’s great to have a large pool of interested buyers, it’s extremely frustrating when you spend time scheduling and managing showing appointments for buyers who aren’t interested in purchasing the listing. Virtual tours help many buyers self-eliminate, and studies show that they can reduce wasted viewings by about 40% .
• Appeal to a wider audience: You may be surprised at the number of potential buyers who are moving from out of state or are unable to visit properties for other reasons. Since virtual tours provide a more realistic view of the home, you may receive offers without even having to schedule a showing. In fact, almost 90% of prospective buyers stated they are more interested in a property with a 3D tour that allows them to take digital measurements of rooms. Additionally, 55% of buyers said they would be willing to purchase a home sight unseen if it had a virtual tour.
• Give your listing a competitive edge: Zillow listings with a virtual tour receive an average of 68% more views . If you want to attract the largest number of potential buyers, virtual tours are an incredible strategy.
• Generate more listing leads: In a study by Matterport , 83% of Millennials and 94% of GenZers stated they would prefer to work with an agent who offered virtual tours.

Virtual tours provide potential buyers with a unique, fun, and engaging tool to view a property online. There are a few different types of virtual tours that can help your real estate listings generate significantly more interest and increase the sale price. With the right equipment, software, and strategy, learning how to make a virtual tour can be relatively simple and can make a big impact on your business.

About the Author

Find Kaylee On LinkedIn

Kaylee Strozyk

Kaylee Strozyk is a regular contributor for Fit Small Business, specializing in real estate. She's a freelance SEO copywriter for real estate, B2B, and SaaS companies

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Virtual property viewings: how to film a house tour like a pro

Shoot your own home video walk-through during lockdown.

Being in lockdown doesn’t mean your house sale has to stall. Many estate agencies are now offering virtual house tours as a great way to showcase your home to prospective buyers or even renters .

With the high-quality cameras available on most modern smartphones, shooting your own home video walk-through or even conducting live video calls couldn’t be easier, says James Somers, head of residential lettings at UK Sotheby’s International Realty . Here he shares his expertise on home staging and filming a professional-looking house tour video to help you remotely show your home off at its best.

1. Remove all clutter

The golden rule of home staging: get rid of all the clutter in your home. Floors and surfaces should be clutter-free and now that you have the time, your cupboards should be neatly organised. Storage is a big requirement and prospective buyers are likely to ask to see inside cupboards.

2. Up the quality

Check to see whether your phone’s video is set to the highest quality as a low-quality video will just frustrate the viewer. Remember, if someone is going to make an offer relying entirely on your video, they must be able to clearly see the content.

3. Good lighting is essential

Pull curtains right back from windows and blinds up as far as they'll go to allow the maximum light to flood your rooms. Make sure you shoot your video or arrange your video call during daytime rather than evening, so that buyers can see the natural light your home gets, and the way it falls. For any darker rooms or spaces, turn on a light to help brighten them up.

4. Leave doors open

This is a great way for light to get into those more gloomy areas of the home, such as corridors. Also, keeping doors wide open means you can easily manoeuvre your way through your home and don’t have to worry about that creaky hinge interrupting you when filming.

5. Make your bed look inviting

It might sound obvious but plump up pillows and cushions and put a throw over the end of the bed for added cosiness. The bedroom is a key room and it’s important to make it look stunning.

6. Don’t ignore the outside areas

A true house tour starts with a view from the street as ' kerb appeal ' means a lot to people. If the property has a garden or balcony , make sure you show that from the outside and not simply through the window – this is a key asset and often comes at a premium for any prospective tenant or buyer and should be emphasised in your video.

7. Map a route through your home

Plan your path before you start filming so the video runs smoothly with no sudden changes of direction because you’ve missed something. I’d also shoot with the sound off so that the viewer can focus purely on the content and not on the narration. If there are any features you want to highlight, zoom in so the viewer can clearly see them (see point 10).

8. Don’t move too fast!

It’s important you move slowly enough for the viewer to see everything clearly. Do a test run first and view the recording for yourself so you can see if there’s any areas where you’re moving too quickly or not showing something clearly enough.

9. Positioning is everything

When scanning the room, it is important to do this from at least a couple of different positions in the room. I’d always advise the first point to be as you walk through the door to the room, and the next view to be from the opposite corner scanning from wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling to show the room in its entirety.

10. Attention to detail

Make sure you highlight and emphasise any unique or charming features of this property as this could be what sets your home out against the rest. Whether it’s a stunning period fireplace, electric blinds, lighting features, or your home media system, zoom in and share the love as these are great selling points.

Assuming your video does its job and your prospective buyer is really interested in your home, they can request a live video call to ask questions about the property and have another look with more control over the direction of the filming. 'This will usually be done with the agent included in the call so the owner can rely on them to help with any questions,' says James.

And if you’d prefer to make the video in sections rather than one long journey, your agent should be able to help you compile them into one film.

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How To Create A Virtual Tour For Real Estate in 2024

Learn how to create an engaging virtual tour for real estate, showcasing properties effectively to captivate potential buyers and enhance listings.

Learn | By Jeff Collier

As an agent hoping to attract prospective clients, you should learn how to create a virtual tour for real estate.

This marketing approach can limit the hassle that comes with normal house tours.

Plus, it significantly saves you time and effort, which real estate agents value greatly!

As a professional photographer, I’m glad to shed some light (pun unintended) on everything related to virtual tours.

I’ll explore their importance for your business and their different types.

Then, I’ll go through step-by-step instructions to help you build a tour that showcases your home’s best features.

• Best Drone for Real Estate Photography
• How to Take Real Estate Photos With an iPhone
• Best Camera for Real Estate Photography
• Real Estate Drone Photography Tips for Professionals
• 7 Best Lenses For Real Estate Photography
• Best Editing Software for Real Estate Photography

Table of Contents

What Is a Virtual Tour in Real Estate?

In real estate photography, a virtual tour is a screening of the interior and exterior of a property to showcase its features to potential buyers.

How Does a Virtual Tour Work?

Virtual tours try to mimic traditional home tours by allowing the viewer to interact with elements in the house.

It’ll be like they’re standing in each room, looking at every corner from different perspectives without dealing with the flat view of a normal photo.

Depending on the type of virtual tour, it can either engage you in 360-degree photo-realistic visuals or show you a sequence of videos.

What Does a Virtual Tour Consist of?

Normally, virtual tours consist of several 360-degree or panoramic photos stitched together to create the illusion of walking inside the house.

Most of the time, these visuals are accompanied by background music, on-screen text, or narration.

The tour starts from the house’s entry point, and then the screen pans, rotates, or dollies to show you around each room. Based on the nature of the tour, the viewer can either change the viewing angle themselves or follow a predetermined path.

Why Create a Virtual Real Estate Tour?

According to research, 61% of home buyers chose virtual tours as the best technology for evaluating real estate.

It fared better than accurate listing information (58%) and high-quality images (51%).

But what makes virtual tours everyone’s favorite option?

First, these tours are distance-friendly—perfect for people who want to move from one state to another. Second, many people, especially millennials and GenZers, said they’d rather deal with a real estate agent who had virtual tours of homes.

Plus, creating virtual tours helps you reduce wasted appointments. Only invested buyers will contact you after viewing every part of the listed property.

The 3 Different Types of Virtual Real Estate Tours

Before you whip out your photography equipment, you should decide on the type of virtual tour you’d like to make.

1. Walk-through

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Even though it’s the least interactive form of a virtual tour, don’t underestimate the influence of a walk-through. It’s a guided tour that you (as the real estate agent) record while walking around the house.

This video tour is the easiest and requires simple equipment. You can even use your smartphone camera to film a video showing the property.

2. 3D Virtual Tour

A 3D virtual tour involves taking multiple photos of each interior space with a panoramic lens camera. Afterward, these pictures are stitched together to give the illusion of standing inside each room.

Unlike walk-throughs, these 3D tours give your customers more control over what they see, but they require more work on your part.

3. Interactive 360 Virtual Tour

360° virtual reality tours are the most interactive, allowing viewers a lifelike experience of walking through a house. It’s a lot like wearing a virtual reality (VR) headset.

While they’ll give you a competitive edge, 360-degree virtual tours are the most challenging to make, especially without a background in photography. They require special techniques, equipment, and virtual tour software to produce seamless results.

How to Choose the Best Camera for Virtual Real Estate Tours

Virtual real estate tour cameras must capture the finest interior space details.

On the upside, the market is teeming with cameras designed for this purpose.

However, it can be confusing for real estate agents to find the perfect one for their needs. So, consider the following to make a well-informed decision:

• High-resolution sensors: Go above 4K.
• Advanced features: AI-powered object recognition, live-streaming abilities, slow-mo, timelapse, and shooting standard single-lens photos
• Image-stabilization: Necessary for a smooth viewing experience
• Fisheye lens : To capture wide angles
• Battery life: Your camera shouldn’t die on you while filming.
• Your budget restrictions: Balance good video quality and price.
• 360 capability a bonus: This can speed up the creation of 360 degree virtual tour footage

Editor’s Choice: Insta360 ONE RS 1-INCH 360

If you want an action cam that fits real estate virtual tour projects, the Insta360 ONE RS 1-Inch is one of my favorites.

The virtual Tour Kit includes the camera itself and a Mounting Bracket, a Vertical Battery Base, a Lens Cap, a 114cm Invisible Selfie Stick, an all-purpose Tripod, and a 64GB MicroSD card, giving you all the equipment you need to start creating virtual tours.

Videos are captured in up to 6k, giving you tons of detail and the ability to crop into footage digitally.

FlowState Stabilization means that you can hand hold the camera and walk around the property without any perceivable camera jitters to distract the viewer,

Another much-appreciated aspect is that it takes 21-megapixel 360 photos, giving you excellent quality for your real estate images as well as video.

Plus, you’ll like its low-light processing capabilities, thanks to its dual 1-inch sensors, which help your evening house images come to life.

The ONE RS is compatible with all the top real estate virtual tour software, including Zillow, Matterport, Floorfy, Kuula, 3DVista, Cloudpano, GoThru, OpenSpace, DroneDeploy, and Structionsite.

You can shoot with the Insta360 ONE RS using one of the compatible virtual tour apps and edit and share your content immediately.

How to Choose the Right Virtual Tour Software

As a real estate agent venturing into photography, it might sound like a big deal to select software for a virtual tour.

But don’t fret; the market has loads of options with varying difficulty levels.

You’ll just have to think about these features to find the ideal virtual tour software:

• Compatibility with your equipment
• Type of virtual tour it’s made for
• Video editing tools (beginner-friendly, require some background, or expert use)
• Advanced features (branding, virtual staging, etc.)

4 Best Virtual Tour Apps for Real Estate

Here are my top three recommendations for a smooth virtual tour creation experience:

• Matterport: For maximum control over immersive 360-degree tours and 3D videos
• Asteroom: Offers real estate professionals smartphone compatibility and a user-friendly way to capture virtual tours
• EyeSpy360: A subscription-free program that supports branding and virtual staging

Zillow 3D Home app: Makes 3D tours using your phone only and shares them on Zillow (but not suitable for sharing anywhere else)

Step-By-Step Guide to Creating a Virtual Real Estate Tour

Now, let’s dive into the specifics of making a real estate virtual tour!

Step 1: Get Your Equipment Ready

Based on the type of virtual tour you intend to shoot, decide on the right software, camera, and other accessories.

If you’ll be using your phone, I suggest buying a fisheye lens adapter to help you get wide-angle shots.

You can invest in a full-fledged DSLR camera for a more professional approach, but it might cost you a small fortune. Don’t forget to purchase a rotating tripod for more stability while you shoot 360-degree views of your rooms.

Next, pair your camera with the ideal software from the earlier list. Remember that your choice also depends on your video editing knowledge and how much you want to be involved with the tour creation process.

Step 2: Plan Your Virtual Tour

Plan the shots by following a prospective buyer’s path when checking out the house.

Your route should be logical, starting from the front door, passing through each room, looking inside closets and bathrooms, etc.

You should also mark where you’ll place your camera to take 360-degree photos.

Ideally, it should be in the center of the room, but small spaces or long hallways will require other camera placements.

Step 3: Clean and Stage the Home in Preparation

A crucial part of preparing the house for your photoshoot is cleaning it thoroughly, especially if it’s still lived in.

Pay attention to windows, mirrors, and other reflective surfaces that indicate a home’s cleanliness.

Otherwise, potential buyers might be put off by any cluttered or dusty areas.

Plus, it’s a good idea to stage the home. Home staging means adding and arranging furniture pieces, accessories, or rugs to give each room an appealing look.

Step 4: Do Lighting and Camera Tests

Test your equipment and make any necessary adjustments.

Think about using natural vs. artificial lighting or a mix of both. Do you need extra equipment to illuminate darker rooms? Are some places too bright that you must adjust your camera settings accordingly?

Also, ensure you and the camera don’t appear on reflective surfaces!

Step 5: Take Your Pictures and Upload Them onto the Software

Lastly, start rolling, going from one room to the next until you’ve completed your planned shots.

Then, upload the photos onto the virtual tour software you’ve chosen. Follow the instructions for the specific program, and consider adding interactive links, narration, or text while editing.

Finish by adding the virtual tour to your property listing or sharing it with your clients.

How to Make a 360° (3D) Virtual Real Estate Tour with iPhone/Android

Here’s how you can achieve decent results by making a 360° virtual real estate tour with your smartphone.

Step 1: Use the Google Street View App

After following the instructions from earlier (planning your shots, doing tests, and home staging), download this app from the Play Store or App Store.

• Tap on the camera icon, select “Take Photo Sphere,” then point the camera to the orange dot.
• Take the first photo and repeat the same process until the green box appears.
• Click on the green box, then select the options to share or save your creation.

Step 2: Upload the 360-degree Images to Your Virtual Tour Software

In this step, you’ll use another mobile app to create your virtual tour called My360.

After signing up, create a new tour profile before clicking “+ Spheres.” You’ll then be prompted to upload the photos you’ve taken.

Wait until the upload is over before you close the app.

Step 3: Finish Creating the Tour Using the Desktop Version

I advise switching to the My360 desktop app to give you maximum control over your photo editing experience.

Once you type in your credentials, you’ll find the pictures you’ve uploaded from your smartphone that are waiting for you to use.

Finally, make your virtual reality tour, then attach it to your property listings.

5 Best Practices When Creating a Virtual Real Estate Tour

Want your virtual reality tour to look like it’s been shot by a professional? Consider these practices that promise incredible results!

1. Use a Shot List

Organization is key when you’re in the planning phase, which is why I suggest you make a shot checklist.

This list should involve every room the tour will cover, preferably chronologically.

For example, the first item could be “Exterior and front yard,” followed by “Front door,” followed by “Proch,” and so on, based on your vision.

2. Level Your Tripod

Ensure your tripod is level so the photos you capture don’t come out uneven.

Here, you may use a bubble level indicator, adjust the center column, or tweak the tripod leg height.

3. Take Test Shots

Test shots are essential, helping you make any corrections to your lights, level of detail, photo depth, and other factors.

They’re also time-efficient, reducing the time wasted if you encounter a problem while taking your final shots.

4. Consider Virtual Staging

Several websites (like iStaging) and virtual tour software services offer virtual staging.

This involves editing your panoramic photos to include furniture, accessories, and home decor. For busy real estate agents, this option can be a hassle-free alternative to traditional home staging.

5. Create Both Branded and Unbranded Versions of Your Tours

In digital marketing, branding is everything because it links everything to the business.

So, when posting on public websites, you should brand the tour with your details to leave a lasting effect on the viewers.

Unbranded versions work best in settings where you can’t use branded ones. This sometimes includes sites that promote your house showing.

FAQs About Creating a Virtual Real Estate Tour

What is a virtual tour camera?

A virtual tour camera has a 360-degree lens , capturing a wide view of each room to include all the details within the shot.

How do you make a good virtual tour?

You need suitable equipment, strong virtual tour software, careful planning, and a good understanding of how to show each property in its best light.

Usually, finding the right formula comes with experience.

How can I make a virtual tour for real estate for free?

You may use Google Street View and My360 to make virtual tours without spending money on equipment or software subscriptions.

Can I create a virtual tour for real estate online?

Unfortunately, an online service doesn’t allow you to make a virtual tour without downloading desktop or smartphone software.

How do I create an interactive virtual tour?

You’ll need an app that supports virtual reality, such as iStaging, Kuula, and CloudPano.

What is a branded virtual tour for real estate?

A branded virtual tour includes the real estate professional’s name, listing office, and contact information.

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Jeff Collier is an experienced film photographer who enjoys experimenting with modern digital photography equipment, software and apps. He’s also an ex-world champion triathlete and avid cyclist, clocking hundreds of km each week in the beautiful Tweed Valley of northern NSW, Australia.

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How to Make a Virtual Tour

Last Updated: February 9, 2024 Tested

This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Jack Lloyd . Jack Lloyd is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. He has over two years of experience writing and editing technology-related articles. He is technology enthusiast and an English teacher. The wikiHow Tech Team also followed the article's instructions and verified that they work. This article has been viewed 186,056 times. Learn more...

This wikiHow teaches you how to shoot and edit a 360-degree tour of a house. While you'll need a camera capable of shooting 360-degree panoramas, you can use a free website to piece together, host, and publish your video.

Recording Your Tour

• You'll also need a tripod for the camera.

• If you end up installing an app on your smartphone, you may have to pair your phone with the camera via Bluetooth. Some cameras can also pair via Wi-Fi.

• Keep in mind that you may have to take multiple shots within a few feet of each other if you plan on transitioning through a doorway. [1] X Research source
• The service you'll use to piece together your footage allows a maximum of 25 photos.

• The photos can usually be found in a "DCIM" folder on the camera or its SD card.
• If you're using the camera's SD card, you may have to place the SD card in a USB adapter and then plug the adapter into one of your computer's USB ports.

Creating Your Tour

• Enter an email address in the "Email" text box.
• Enter a password in the "Password" text box.
• Re-enter your password in the "Password confirmation" text box.
• Click Create account .
• Enter your email address and password, then click login .

• Click Upload panoramas under either the "Spherical" or "Cylindrical" heading.
• You can upload a maximum of 25 photos at 20 megabytes apiece.
• Click Open .
• Wait for the photos to finish uploading.

• Click once the panorama.
• Click an indicator shape (this is what a user will click to move to the next scene).
• Click the "Select type of hotspot" text box, then click Transition in the drop-down menu.
• Click the next scene's panorama in the "Select the destination panorama" section.
• Scroll down and click Save .

Publishing the Tour

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A local real estate agent can answer questions, give guidance, and schedule home tours.

By proceeding, you consent to receive calls and texts at the number you provided, including marketing by autodialer and prerecorded and artificial voice, and email, from Realtor.com and others Persons who may contact you include real estate professionals such as agents and brokers, mortgage professionals such as lenders and mortgage brokers, realtor.com and its affiliates, insurers or their agents, and those who may be assisting any of the foregoing. about your inquiry and other home-related matters, but not as a condition of any purchase. More You also agree to our Terms of Use, and to our Privacy Policy regarding the information relating to you. Msg/data rates may apply. This consent applies even if you are on a corporate, state or national Do Not Call list.

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To connect right away, call (855) 650-5492

How To Show Your Home During the Pandemic: The Definitive Seller’s Guide to Virtual Tours and More

For home sellers in the era of the novel coronavirus , showing off your home to potential buyers may seem like an impossible task. As people practice social distancing to help stop the spread of COVID-19, most open houses are on hold, and in-person home showings are limited across the country.

But there are still ways to  reach potential buyers and show your home in the best light—through virtual tours.

In the third part of our series, “ Home Selling in the Age of the Coronavirus ,” we highlight all the ways home sellers can give buyers an in-depth look at their property without actually opening their doors and risking the buyers’ health (or their own).

How virtual tours work

Virtual tours offer home buyers a remote, video-enabled walk-through of a property that will give them the sensation that they’re actually there—or at least darn close.

Real estate agents used virtual tours before COVID-19 as a unique marketing tool. Now, online tours are more important than ever, since they’re often the only easy way for buyers to check out a home without physically entering the property.

Virtual tours are recommended by the National Association of Realtors® as a way to avoid face-to-face contact while marketing homes during the coronavirus crisis.

“With the current shutdown, more and more home sellers are requesting that we offer buyers a virtual tour to help expedite the sale,” says Peggy Zabakolas , a real estate broker at Nest Seekers International in Bridgehampton, NY.

Real estate listing sites like realtor.com are featuring virtual tours on more and more listings. (Look for the virtual tour icon  on the bottom of the listing page.)

Types of virtual tours

Virtual tours can be conducted in a variety of different ways, depending on time, technology, and budget.

Probably the least complicated is where sellers or real estate agents use their smartphone camera to record a video as they walk through the home, showing off each room.

A more interactive option is to livestream a one-on-one showing with the buyers. This will give them more control over where you are pointing the camera, via FaceTime or another video streaming app (“Could you take a peek inside that closet/outside that window?”).

Yet another option home sellers might consider is a virtual open house.

With gatherings of more than 10 people prohibited across most of the United States, real estate agents have been forced to cancel open houses. But many are using tools like FaceTime or Zoom to host live virtual open houses so they can show potential buyers around a home.

Buyers often enjoy seeing the “raw footage” that a virtual open house or showing can offer, as opposed to a professionally produced video, says Angela Hornburg , team leader at the Hornburg Real Estate Group in Dallas.

Buyers can also ask questions, which may help them to feel more secure that they can be fully informed about the property—or perhaps even allow them to make an offer on the spot.

A more high-tech option for showing a home is setting up a fully fledged 3D tour. This is where a home seller, real estate agent, or a professional photographer uses a special 3D camera to capture images of the home.

These photos are uploaded into a proprietary software program that renders the visuals in three dimensions, creating a tour that can be uploaded onto a real estate listing.

Adding a 3D tour is a little more involved than taking a video on your phone, however—and it can also be pricey.

For example, the 3D visual platform Matterport offers packages ranging from $9.99 to $309 per month. Immoviewer’s prices range from $69 per month to $799 per year. Typically, a listing agent will pay for this as part of the marketing material.

While 3D tours are still rare, some people insist that they’re worth the cost, especially for higher-end properties. Homes can be viewed in several different ways, such as in dollhouse view, which shows how rooms are laid out in the house (see images below).

(Matterport/Realtor.com)

Virtual staging

Traditional staging—where furniture and artwork are arranged in a house to present the space in the best light—is a great selling tool, but it may be difficult to pull off at a time when sellers are reluctant to let outsiders into their house.

There’s a workaround here, too: virtual staging, which provides simulated images of a property laid out with alternative furnishings.

“Virtual staging, like physical home staging, is aimed at enticing home buyers and helping them connect emotionally with a property,” says Ilaria Barion , a luxury home stager , who offers both in-person and virtual staging.

Virtual home staging uses software to reimagine new decor in a property, in order to enhance the appearance of the space.

Unlike on-site staging, virtual staging comes with unlimited options, for example, paring down homes that are filled with furniture and ornament and displaying them with a simplified, cleaner design.

(Ilaria Barion Design)

(Ilaria Barion Design )

(Ilaria Barion Flow)

Just as with virtual tours, virtual staging was available before the coronavirus outbreak, but is especially important now. Even small, simple changes can make a big difference.

For instance: Does your property have an accent wall painted in a bright color that might turn off buyers? Virtual staging can wipe that away. Sellers should aim for “a neutral palette, so the new buyer can envision themselves living in it,” Zabakolas says.

Also, adding a few trendy accents can make a lasting impression on buyers.

“Small accents to dress up the home, such as flowers or centerpieces, help in any virtual or in-person tour,” says Tomer Fridman , a luxury and celebrity real estate expert at Compass in Los Angeles.

Staging a home virtually is cheaper than on-site staging, Barion says. Virtual staging costs a few hundred dollars and is usually paid for by agents, unlike traditional staging, which costs thousands. Virtual staging can also be completed in a matter of days.

“Virtual staging allows for many more options that would be cost-prohibitive in real life, like stripping down wallpaper, changing window treatment, adding a pool table, or replacing old furniture and fixtures,” Barion says.

How home sellers can use virtual tours to find the right buyer

Virtual tours and open houses can help buyers get to know a home, but the fact is that some may insist that they see a place in person before they feel confident about making an offer.

Although some areas, like the state of New York , are prohibiting in-person home showings at present, they are still happening in other places.

While it may be off-putting for sellers to allow buyers to enter their home, that may be necessary if they want to get an offer.

Virtual tours and showings nevertheless serve an important purpose: They help buyers get to know a property well enough to become serious contenders for a purchase.

In turn, virtual tours help sellers lower their risk of exposure to the coronavirus, by helping them whittle down the number of buyers who enter their house.

So how else can home sellers know a buyer is serious?  Maggie Wells ,  real estate agent  at Keller Williams Realty Greater Lexington in Kentucky, requires that buyers have a mortgage pre-approval and have taken a look at the virtual tour beforehand.

Agents also make sure to keep hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, and shoe coverings available for buyers to use during their in-person tour.

Selling a home during the coronavirus crisis presents many unique challenges. Being adaptable will help sellers to reach buyers and to make sure that the home is sold.

Erica Sweeney is a writer whose work has appeared in the New York Times, Parade, HuffPost, Business Insider, Money, and other publications.

Twitter Follow @ericapsweeney

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Free Toolkit: How to Make a Real Estate Video Tour

Inside the toolkit:.

• Learn how to record an apartment video tour that converts.
• Watch our step-by-step unit recording best practices video.
• Download our 9-point cheatsheet for future reference.

About the Guide

Marketing your properties in the modern leasing landscape presents some unique challenges. Prospective renters are busier than ever meaning, they aren’t able to travel to the property prior to leasing. Or, they could be looking for a more convenient touring experience such as a virtual tour. There is more noise from competition in the market than ever before. So how do you stand out from the crowd and make your leasing life easier?

Turn to video! Using this toolkit, you’ll learn how to use live or pre-recorded video to overcome the problems of geographical distance, busy schedules, and a lack of easy, transparent communication with your online audience. Afterward, you’ll be able to create a truly authentic experience that will make your videos and community stand out.

How to Make a Real Estate Video Tour

For those who lack experience in video, don’t fret! Making a virtual tour or hosting a live video tour may be intimidating at first, but this is why we’ve put together this step-by-step guide to help you through the entire process of creating video tours of a multifamily community.

When you download our toolkit above, you’ll learn:

• How to make a real estate video tour that will stand out from the crowd
• Video tips, tricks, and best practices for smooth recording
• How to shoot real estate video with your smartphone and make it feel professional
• How to make real estate video tours personalized to your prospect’s needs
• Guidance on how to best record or showcase a multifamily unit on video
• How to make a property video show off local amenities
• How to shoot virtual tours with intentionality on every shot

In the toolkit, we lay out an organic step-by-step approach to record or host a video tour. You will begin, just as you would in real life, with the entryway. Then you will move through the various spaces, moving the eye of the camera just as you would scan a space naturally—panning the camera slowly and methodically to give the audience a complete, transparent tour experience.

As you go, you can describe the space as you would in a live, face-to-face tour. With pre-recorded video tours, you may need to be more thorough than you normally would in order to cover any questions your prospective renters might possibly have. However, with pre-recorded video tours, additional audio can be added at a later time via voice-over when created on Realync’s video leasing platform.

With our time-tested apartment video flow-through instruction guide, you’ll be able to create a video tour that feels organic and is as inviting as a traditional face-to-face tour.

Real Estate Video Ideas

Once you catch the bug to start making videos to promote your multifamily community, your mind may begin to explode with creative real estate video ideas.

You want to make the best real estate videos you can, but there are a number of real estate video techniques that you should learn to create in order to make your real estate video marketing campaign effective.

Here is just a sampling of the creative ways we’ve seen multifamily professionals at communities all around the world find success with video tours:

• Real estate intro video showcasing the exterior of the building and signage.
• Real estate intro video part 2—introducing the team members and explaining everyone’s role at the community.
• Apartment community clubhouse video displaying the common areas of the community, the clubhouse, and its related perks in detail.
• Apartment amenities video showcasing all that the community has to offer outside of just the units themselves.
• Floor plan or unit-specific videos showcasing the various units offered and differences between each interior real estate video.
• Neighborhood tour videos showcasing the area surrounding your community, the local shops, parks, and all that they have to offer.
• Move-in videos welcoming new residents to the community and walking them through move-in instructions and managing expectations for a typically stressful day.
• Maintenance how-to videos instructing residents on care tips or instructional videos for various items throughout their unit to help cut down on maintenance requests and key-ins.

Our advice is to think big when it comes to your video efforts for your community. Not big in terms of budget, but big in terms of scale and reach. Think what a video of every single floor plan, or even better, every single unit could do for your leasing efforts. Or how powerful it’d be to be able to showcase all of your amenities with the few clicks of a button. Have a prospect asking about the surrounding area? Show, don’t tell them by quickly sending a video or two showcasing all the area has to offer.

To make all of this happen though, you’ll need to learn to operate a camera like a professional. Don’t worry, it’s not as hard as it sounds. In the toolkit above, you’ll learn to apply simple tips like keeping pan and zoom motions natural for your viewers and pacing your narrative to match your camera movements.

Other important tips include setting up adequate lighting for video tours, turning on ceiling fans for a sensation of movement in the space, incorporating all of the necessary address and contact information when editing videos, including Fair Housing logos and disclaimers, and much, much more.

Real Estate Video Marketing

By now your head may be swimming with all of this information about making real estate videos. But now it’s time to talk a little bit about marketing.

You may make great videos for your properties, but if you don’t share them effectively, no one will see them. Not to worry, with Realync, we make it super easy to share your real estate videos to anyone on any device via the most popular social media networks, email, text, and more. Need to send videos internationally? Do so with ease using WeChat or WhatsApp.

With Realync’s on-site training, you’ll learn to do effective real estate marketing with video, how to create real estate videos for marketing, how to post videos, where to post videos, and the best ways to engage with your audience online. Realync makes it so easy to create polished real estate videos, that you can even use them for real estate video ads that will bring customers right to the tours you make.

We’ll help you use your natural, preferred presentation style to create videos that match you, your property, and your location perfectly. You’ll learn to make real estate video marketing scripts, get tips on how to leverage your funny real estate ideas including funny real estate ads.

Running a marketing campaign online and through social media can be a full-time job. But with Realync, you get all the tools and guidance you’ll need to make it easy and fun.

Real Estate Video Equipment

A lot of people think that making professional quality videos means acquiring loads of expensive film equipment, learning to use it, and then worrying about maintaining it.

You might start Googling “real estate video equipment,” “canon t3i real estate photography,” and “best camera for real estate video 2018” as many people commonly do. But with Realync, you don’t need any of that stuff to make great real estate videos. All you need is our easy-to-use, comprehensive app, your phone, and a little creativity.

Beyond using Realync, we recommend adding a device stabilizer, wide-angle lens, external mic, and external lighting to your smartphone to make sure that your real estate video appears to be filmed on much more professional equipment than a phone.

Real Estate Drone Video

Drone footage is a great asset for any real estate video package. Drone footage gives you an easy way to create exciting overview shots of your property, the surrounding area, and any hard-to-reach spots that you want to show prospective tenants.

Drone footage can:

• Create dynamic outdoor scene shots
• Display hard-to-reach areas
• Serve as engaging intro and outro material

Most people can learn the basics of flying a drone in a few minutes. However, you should take the time to learn how to compensate for the wind while flying outdoors, among other risks. You’ll also need to find out whether or not you need a license to fly a drone for real estate in your location. Real estate drone jobs and real estate drone businesses are taking off because of the complexity that can come with operating drones. But, they’re in high demand because drone footage can be a great addition to real estate sales videos.

Real Estate Video Software

In traditional video production, filming and editing are separate jobs. That’s because the technology simply did not exist to make editing a simple and intuitive process. Digital video editing is still a complex discipline, but Realync’s real estate video editing software makes it easy and intuitive to edit your real estate footage into compelling, professional quality real estate video packages.

Our real estate video maker makes it easy to:

• Record individual video clips
• Trim and alter footage
• Add title overlays, captioning, and other text
• Layer in audio tracks for music or voice-overs
• Automatically add the Fair Housing and ADA logo and disclaimer
• Stitch it all together seamlessly with the touch of a button

With just a little practice and inspiration, you’ll be producing professional-quality video tours and marketing spots in no time.

Real Estate Photography

While videos are key to marketing and displaying your properties, high-quality photography is still very important. You should research and practice framing, lighting, and composition. It’s critical to find the best real estate photography camera app for your specific phone, and research “real estate video exposure” tips for smartphones.

High-quality images relate information in a different way than video by allowing the viewer to study a single frame. This can be helpful when your buyer is focused on details and wants to really study each part of a real estate photo.

Real Estate Videography Tips

While the art of videography has been around for some time, it is not a science. However, here are some best practices to keep in mind when shooting real estate tour and promotional footage:

• Your face adds value. Prospective renters want to see the property, but they also need to get a feeling for the people they will be renting from. It’s a good idea to incorporate your face and voice into your videos.
• Master timing . You can fix a lot in the editing phase, but recording using compelling timing is key to keeping viewers engaged. This takes practice and some intuition from experience.
• Brevity is better. Cover all the shots, angles, and information that needs to be covered, but be respectful of the viewer’s time. Find the balance between concise and thorough.
• Use adequate lighting. When planning a tour, be sure your interiors are well-lit when shooting. Consider exterior light available, and bring along an external light source just in case.

Virtual Tours for Real Estate

360 virtual tours is another type of tour in real estate. And like we mentioned before, unit-level video tours are other options you’ll see. Time and practice have proven that a live or recorded human-hosted video tour is essential in the apartment search for prospective renters. With 3D virtual tours, if you struggle to learn how to make a virtual tour video, then look to Realync’s Real360.

With Realync Studios , we can create your videos for you. Or show you how to make a video tour and virtual tour for real estate using our DIY video tour app. A virtual tour app makes the apartment search authentic and makes prospective renters feel like they are really there.

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Live Video Open Houses

For decades, open houses have been a key tool for buyers and sellers alike, providing a simple way to show a property or to begin your house hunt. However, situations can arise when it becomes impractical or impossible for buyers to make it to open houses in person. And in today’s digital and fast-paced world, where virtual real estate is on the rise, more and more buyers and sellers are simply looking for convenience. That’s why Redfin is now offering live video open houses - so buyers can still see homes without being there in person and sellers can continue to hold open houses regardless of the circumstances.

Whether you’re a buyer searching for your next home, or a seller looking to showcase your property, this guide will help you understand the ins and outs of live video open houses.

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What is a live video open house.

A live video open house is an open house in which all prospective buyers tour the home virtually via a live video conference through Zoom. The local Redfin agent will physically be in the home, walking potential buyers though every detail of property while also answering any questions you may have.

How to attend a virtual open house

If a home has an upcoming live video open house, it will be listed on the property’s details page on Redfin.com. Step 1: To sign up for a live video open house, click the “sign up here” button below the home you’re interested in seeing.

Step 2: Once you click the “sign up here” button, you will be brought to a registration form. Complete the registration form and click register.

Step: 3 You will then receive a confirmation email noting the date and time of the event. The email will also include a link that you can easily click to join the Zoom meeting the day of the open house. You will also receive a reminder email with the Zoom meeting details one hour before the open house begins.

Step 4: If you are unable to sign up for the open house in advance, don’t worry, you can join at any time while the open house is happening. Simply click the “click here to join” button on the home’s listing page and you will quickly be added into the live-streamed Zoom meeting.

What to expect at a live-video open house

A traditional open house is typically held over a few hours and potential buyers can come and go as they wish. With a live video open house, attendees will be asked to join at a specific start time and the open house will typically last an hour. Additionally, instead of being able to wander around at their own pace, a Redfin agent will guide prospective buyers through the home via video-chat.

Here’s a sample schedule for what you’ll experience during a live video open house:

Introduction: The Redfin agent will introduce themselves and the home you’re about to see.

Tour: The agent will walk slowly through the home, pointing out features as they go. They will show each room and all additional spaces like the yard, garage, and immediate outside area to give an idea of the neighborhood. They will highlight the layout, flooring, windows, fixtures, and more. The agent will carefully explain things that buyers aren’t able to experience through virtual tours, like the sounds, smells, and general ambiance of the home.

Time for Questions: The agent will pause at the end of every room to take questions, either via video or through chat messages.

Recap Tour: If time allows, the agent may go through the home a second time, based on what attendees are interested in.

Live video open house do's and don'ts

There are plenty of do’s and don’ts that come with seeing a home in person. However, with live video open houses, things are a bit different. Here are a few do’s and don’ts to follow: Do:

• Wait until the agent has finished showing a room before asking questions.
• Take notes on your likes, dislikes, and follow-up questions.
• If you have family members present with you, invite them to join the Zoom conference so they can also see the home.
• Don’t take screenshots or recordings. Remember that you’re viewing someone else’s property. Unless the owner has granted permission, you may be violating state laws.
• Reveal information that would compromise your negotiating power, like your level of interest in the home or your budget.

Questions to ask at a virtual open house

An open house is your best opportunity to ask the listing agent your questions — don’t be shy. There are plenty of recommended questions you should consider when touring homes in person, but what about when you’re taking virtual house tours? Here are some critical questions to consider asking during a live video open house:

• Have there been any recent renovations or repairs?
• What are the noise levels like inside and outside the home?
• Can you open any curtains or blinds so I can see all the possible views?
• How old are the kitchen appliances?
• Can you test functions such as opening cabinets, doors, and drawers; run the faucets; check the water pressure?
• What direction is natural light coming from?
• If touring a single-family home, how close by are neighbors’ homes?
• If touring a condo, can you show me any common areas, like the hallways or amenities of the building?

It’s also important to be aware that there will likely be other potential buyers on the live video open house with you, so you will likely not have one-on-one time with the listing agent. If you want to spend additional time noting detailed measurements and scrutinizing every square inch, book a private live-video chat tour or in-person tour with your Redfin agent.

How to prepare your home for a live video open house as a seller

As a seller, an open house is one of the best opportunities to attract potential buyers - and a virtual open house isn’t any different. While there won’t be the formalities of a sign in sheet, and hours spent away from your home, many potential homebuyers will still see your home thoroughly. Be sure to take time and prepare your home for this virtual setting just as you would with an in-person open house.

Check out our open house checklist for sellers to make sure you’re prepared.

Live video open houses benefits for buyers

Increased convenience. Imagine a prospective buyer sitting at home, yet virtually touring another home’s kitchen and living room before heading upstairs to check out the new master suite. They then step outside to view the pool in the backyard and the surrounding neighborhood - all from the comfort of their own couch.

Ability to see more homes. Because of the convenience of video open houses, you can see more properties, in more locations, whether looking for a home in your area or in another state.

In-depth viewing. Unlike traditional real estate videos of homes, with live virtual tours, you’ll be able to ask questions in real time, such as if a room has crown moulding or how much natural light comes in through a window.

Live video open house benefits for sellers

Reach a wide audience. Unlike traditional real estate videos of homes, with live virtual tours, you’ll be able to ask questions in real time, such as if a room has crown moulding or how much natural light comes in through a window.

Attract out-of-town buyers. If you're selling your house , holding a virtual open house is an efficient way to attract homebuyers moving to a new city, who would otherwise have to drive for hours or take a flight to see a home.

More serious buyers. Traditional open houses often attract neighbors and anyone who may be passing by - these viewers are likely not interested in buying your home, but instead just want to see inside. However, because viewers can’t just stumble into a virtual open house while driving by, those attending are likely more serious about finding a home and making an offer.

A more comfortable way to display your home. You won’t have to leave your home for hours anymore, compared to a traditional open house. It also provides you with an increased sense of privacy and safety.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Where can i conduct or attend a live video open house.

Redfin currently offers live video open houses in many markets and more every day. If buying, follow the steps listed above to see a live video open house in your area. If selling, check with your Redfin agent to see how to get your house featured in a live video open house.

How do I ask questions during the live video open house?

There will be plenty of opportunities for questions during the house tour. The agent will pause at the end of every room and at the end of the tour to take questions, either via video or through Zoom chat messages.

Is there a limit to the number of people who can join a live video open house?

Up to 100 attendees can join each live video open house.

How is a live video open house different from a live video-chat tour?

A live video open house is a virtual home tour attended by multiple prospective buyers and hosted by the listing agent; while a live video-chat tour is virtual one-on-one viewing for a single prospective buyer, hosted by the buyer’s agent.

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How To Make a Real Estate Video That Shines (and Sells)

November 14, 2017

Trevor Holmes

Today’s real estate market is full of fast-paced buyers and ever changing tech, which means marketing your property with video is a must. In this guide, we’ll break down everything we’ve learned about shooting real estate videos, so you can get your house sold in no time.

• A wide-angle zoom lens (16–35mm) / 17–40mm
• A tripod with a slider
• A second tripod head that sits on top of the slider
• And if you have a drone , we’ll use that too!

If you’re wondering about video lights, don’t. You don’t need them! Natural light will do the trick for all your interior and exterior shots, so planning your shoot around the weather is key. A partly cloudy day will look the best on camera. If it’s dark and gloomy, you might want to reschedule.

Don’t give into the fisheye

It can be tempting to use a wide-angle lens like a fisheye to make a small room look bigger than it is, but don’t give in! Instead of trying to fool potential buyers, use the power of video to accurately represent the rooms in your house.

Stick to less distorted lenses like a 17–40mm or a 16–35mm for the bulk of your shots.

Before you click record, take a walk. Literally, walk around the house and keep your eye out for anything that calls attention to itself. Your goal is to hide distractions that might not look great on camera. This walk might include:

• Decluttering counters and table tops
• Hiding pets
• Shutting closet doors
• Smoothing wrinkles on bed spreads
• Taking down pictures of homeowners
• Closing toilet seats
• Adjusting couch pillows

Planning your shots

You only need about 2–3 shots for each bedroom and each bathroom in the house. But for the important rooms like the kitchen, the living room, or the master suite, make sure to get enough shots and camera angles to paint a full picture for the viewer.

At the same time, try to avoid over shooting. If you have a good shot, move on to the next one. And if you mess up, delete that clip and start over. This’ll help you race through the edit.

You don’t need as many shots outside as you do inside. Depending on the house, around 10–15 exterior shots will do it. You’ll need a collection of wide shots of the front and back of the house, close shots of the front door, and any other detail shots or unique parts of the yard you want to capture.

Shooting your video

Shooting a real estate video is all about introducing motion into a still environment. That’s why we rely on our two friends: slides and glides.

Slides are great for capturing an entire room and making wide shots more interesting. Position your slider just outside of a doorway to reveal a room. Or try sliding and panning to get a wrap-around effect.

Glides bring viewers into the scene by moving the camera front to back. This is where a second tripod head will come in handy. Just make sure you can’t see the slider in the shot.

If you don’t have a slider, panning the camera will pan out just fine. Who knows? It might even be pantastic.

Slow pans and tilts can add some motion to an otherwise static shot, keeping the video moving along. Pans and tilts also look great for detail shots of a room, like hardwood floors, tile, or counter tops.

While you’re shooting, be mindful of your camera’s settings.

Since the subject is the room, you’ll want to keep everything in focus. To do this, keep your aperture number at around f 4 or 5.6. Then, balance the brightness out by adjusting the ISO and shutter speed.

Up, up, and away

Having access to a drone is a nice bonus to get those aerial shots of the house and the surrounding community.

The key to drone shots is subtle movement. You can use the drone like a slider, going from left to right, or slowly toward the house from the street as well.

Grab a few shots in the front and back of the house. Then if it’s safe, take it to the sky to get a bird’s eye view of the property and the lot.

Editing your footage

Now that you’ve shot your footage, you’re ready to edit the video .

Order your clips according to how you would walk through the house. This will help viewers to understand the layout of the home without seeing it in person.

Since you have a variety of shots of each room, don’t be repetitive. Use a good mix of slides and glides, and don’t over show a room. This will help to keep the video snappy. Viewers can always rewatch certain parts that interest them, and you can track their interest in your video’s stats .

Background music will make your video feel more polished. You can license songs from sites like Marmoset , Premium Beat , Pond 5 , or use one of the free Wistia music tracks .

Curious how all these steps came together in the end? Below is the final real estate video that we made! The house is already sold, so try not to get too attached.

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How to Make a Property Video (the Ultimate Real Estate Videography Guide)

In this guide, you’ll discover what real estate property videos are, why property professionals need marketing videos, what your options are for making videos, and why you should use videos to boost your property sales. Let’s dive straight in.

Table of Contents

What are real estate property videos?

In a fast-paced online world, your property listing needs to stand out. Attention spans are only getting shorter, and when you’ve got the opportunity to show potential buyers your property, you need to grab their interest, and quickly!

Property videos made using real estate photography are the ideal solution for getting eyes on your property and making it look even more appealing. Your buyers can picture themselves living there — which might make them more likely to buy. It’s a win-win situation.

Why do property professionals need marketing videos?

Still images can only give so much information. Buyers want to really get a feel for what properties look like, what the layout and floor plan looks like, and the general vibes of a house. That’s why property professionals — that’s you, by the way — need marketing videos to make sure the properties you’re selling make the maximum impact and leave a lasting impression on your buyers.

Still not sure? Here are 5 more reasons to embrace the power of video.

• People LOVE video: According to Cisco, global internet video traffic will represent a whopping 82% of all consumer internet traffic in 2022.
• Stand out from the crowd: A branded video can be the icing on the cake of your listing! Are your competitors using videos? No? Then your listing will be all the more enticing!
• Win more instructions: When pitching for your vendor’s business, just drop in: “Oh yeah, and we’ll be marketing your property with a beautiful 1080p HD video on the portals and our social media channels”. See what happens.
• Better for your SEO: Google loves engaging content and pages with videos often rank better than ones without. Property videos are good for your audience and good for SEO.
• Tyre kickers: Some kinds of property video will give an excellent overview of the house, weeding out people who would have booked a viewing and wasted your time but now, after watching the video tour, know not to bother.

What are my options for property videos?

When it comes to making a property video, you’ve got a few options. Let’s explore some of them.

Property video using only your smartphone

Smartphones are a great option for making a property video on a budget, but the quality of the footage inevitably won’t match the kind of video that a pro could shoot with all their high-level gear. For your more ‘typical’ home, however, this kind of self-filmed video walkthrough with you talking over it could be just the ticket.

As the agent, you can save time by filming the footage on the same day you visit the property for other things like taking photos, measuring up, preparing descriptions etc.

And because you’re doing all the work yourself, you’ll save a pretty penny that a pro would charge to film this.

How do I make a property video walkthrough using a smartphone?

You film all the clips, export them to your computer and stitch them together using a tool like Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut or iMovie.

We’re considering offering the ‘stitching part’ as a service. You go and film everything, send us your footage and you get back a lovely professional video. Would this be of interest? If so, please let us know your thoughts .

360° virtual tour video for your property

This one feels a bit sci-fi but it’s very impressive. 3D Virtual Reality Tours allow potential buyers to explore the inside of the property through a full 3D 360° walkthrough. If you’ve ever looked at a company’s internal Street View on Google Maps, it’s just like that.

People can navigate through the property, going from room to room as if they were actually there. They get a good feel for the property’s size and layout, and can view the rooms from any angle. If you’re feeling particularly fancy, you can use a VR headset for a totally immersive experience.

A high-quality 3D 360° property tour isn’t cheap, so they’re better suited to luxury properties with a higher return on investment. VR tours also work best on properties that are well presented throughout, rather than those trickier ‘viewing strongly recommended’ listings.

Want to see one in action? See this stunning Montpellier home via a Matterport 3D 360° tour.

How do I make a 360° virtual video tour?

Popular video making and photography company Matterport is a leader in the field of 360° property tours. The property is photographed using 360° cameras. Special software is then used to stitch the images together, creating a virtual property. You can also highlight areas of interest like hardwood floors or brand-new fitted appliances that you don’t want people to miss!

Professional property walkthrough video tour

A Professional Video Tour is a recorded walkthrough of the property, taking viewers into each room individually. You can even include the surrounding area or neighbourhood in your video, giving your potential buyers a flavour of the location.

Specialist camera and recording equipment is used to keep the camera still and smoothly glide around the house. Then, the footage is professionally edited in software like Adobe Premiere Pro, music and graphics are added, and ta-da! Your Pro Video Tour is ready to wow.

Pro Video Tours are still better suited for the higher end properties, but that does depend on your location — which will also determine the value and your commission and budget.

These professionally made property videos help to give a clear idea of size and layout, allowing viewers to feel as though they’ve already visited the property.

If you want to ditch the ‘Pro’ aspect of the video tour, then you could do it yourself by just walking around the house and record it on your smartphone. However, the difference between your video tour and a Pro Video Tour will be kind of noticeable.

How do I make a professional property walkthrough video tour?

Someone physically walks around the property, filming their point of view as they go. Whether that’s a professional videographer or someone with a smartphone is up to you and your budget — but we’d always recommend a professional.

Your video can be a simple walkthrough or something with higher production value, using tracking shots or even drone footage. You can edit the video after with branding, music and narration if you like.

How to make a Video Slideshow for your property in 3 simple steps

A Video Slideshow is the easiest and cheapest way to make a video tour. They simply transform property photos into video, playing them one after the other like a slideshow. While these may now sound pretty basic compared to the other 2 options, they can still look very cool!

Photos of the property are displayed alongside various transitions, motion effects, and music. You can also encourage people to contact you by adding your own custom branding and a CTA. Good video slideshows are much more dynamic and engaging than photos, and can help you to get real people through those doors!

• Take the property photos yourself or arrange a pro to help you.
• Load the property photos into a video software programme.
• Add motion graphics and music to the transitions, add your branding and a call to action and you’re all set.

How long should the video be?

That’s entirely up to you and your audience. If you want a dynamic-looking video to show off a luxury penthouse apartment, for example, we’d recommend keeping that on the shorter side. Think of attention-grabbing videos on Youtube and TikTok — that demographic wants fast-paced excitement. If you’re selling a mansion set in a sprawling estate filled with lush gardens and a tennis court — make sure your video is long enough to show every single detail. Your viewers won’t want to miss a thing.

Can videos help me sell more property?

The short answer is ‘yes’! Matterport, who we mentioned earlier, found that 74% of estate agents using its famous 360° video system win more listings — which means more sales.

Its survey also discovered that almost 80% of the 1,000 property buyers asked said they would switch to an estate agent offering immersive 3D property tours. So it’s easy to see the benefits of property videos on your potential sales!

When should you hire a professional videographer?

Hiring a professional videographer isn’t 100% necessary, but it’s something that we’d strongly recommend. It can be expensive, and we understand the temptation to do it yourself, but the professional finish you get from someone who knows all the tricks of the trade just can’t be matched.

Video Slideshows from Elements Property

If you like the look of property videos and want to learn more about what we can do, head over to our Video Slideshow page for more info and to see further examples, or get in touch if you’ve got any questions.

Simply send us your images and we’ll transform them into an engaging HD video in as little as just 3 hours! We’ll customise it with your logo and brand colours, a CTA to encourage viewers to take the next step, and you can even pick the music!

Want to try us out for free? We can offer you a free trial on 3 Video Slideshow orders. Just enter BLOG30 when you create an account .

Here are a few more examples that showcase our Video Slideshows…

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Written by Alex Stretton

Alex is the Founder of Elements. Bad property photos and poor listings upset him so he built a business to help fix the issues. He also teaches agents how to take stunning property photos through blogging and delivering training for Rightmove members. Racket sports, street photography, travel and throwing his Triumph Tiger into some twisties are his main vices. Bang average golfer.

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Nicki Minaj's Husband Kenneth Petty Gets Judge's Permission to Travel Internationally for Pink Friday 2 World Tour

Petty, who's been married to Minaj for five years, cites "childcare" and "various purposes" to travel with the rapper to several countries.

Kenneth Petty will get to spend more time with his wife, Nicki Minaj , as she embarks on the international leg of her Pink Friday 2 World Tour, set to begin in Toronto on April 30.

According to documents filed on Petty's behalf on April 15, the 46-year-old sought permission from a federal judge to travel and provide "child care" of their 3-year-old son, along with other "various purposes."

“Defendant Kenneth Petty ('Mr. Petty'), by and through counsel, hereby applies to the Court for an Order allowing him to travel out of the country with his family for his wife’s tour and her professional purposes,” the filing reads, as shared by media legal reporter Meghann Cuniff .

It continues, "Mr. Petty and Mrs. Petty believe Mr. Petty is necessary to accompany the family on the tour for various purposes, including childcare. The anticipated travel schedule begins on April 17, 2024 and continues periodically to July 14, 2024. The travel schedule calls for travel to several countries including Canada, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, France, United Kingdom, Austria, Ireland, Switzerland, and Romania. The Government has been notified about this application and takes no position. Mr. Petty’s probation officer has been notified of this application and has no objection to the travel request."

Cuniff added on Tuesday that Petty's request was approved by Judge Michael Fitzgerald in L.A.

New tonight: Nicki Minaj's husband Kenneth Petty is asking a federal judge for permission to travel internationally for the Pink Friday 2 World tour.  He's currently on probation out of Los Angeles federal court for failing to register as a sex offender. pic.twitter.com/8sPynYfaPI — Meghann Cuniff (@meghanncuniff) April 16, 2024

Good news for Nicki Minaj: Her husband is now legally authorized to accompany her on her Pink Friday 2 world tour. Judge Michael Fitzgerald in Los Angeles signed the travel order today for Kenneth Petty, who is on federal probation for failing to register as a sex offender. pic.twitter.com/ehSIiAuXlI — Meghann Cuniff (@meghanncuniff) April 16, 2024

Petty will need to give his probation officer details regarding his travel and itinerary, in addition to being required to check in with his P.O. upon his return to Los Angeles at the tour's conclusion in July.

Petty is a registered sex offender, stemming from the 1994 rape of Jennifer Hough , who was 16 years old at the time of the alleged incident. In 2023, he was required to fulfill 120 days of house arrest after making threats online to rapper Offset .

In 2019, Petty accompanied his wife during a Nicki Wrld Tour show in Frankfurt, Germany. Security guard Thomas Weidenmuller alleged he was assaulted by the couple backstage. Weidenmuller sued the Pettys for $732,000 in 2022, but the couple reportedly didn't respond to the lawsuit, and may have to cough up $503,318 thanks to a recent default judgment.

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The Opening Days of Trump’s First Criminal Trial

Here’s what has happened so far in the unprecedented proceedings against a former u.s. president..

This transcript was created using speech recognition software. While it has been reviewed by human transcribers, it may contain errors. Please review the episode audio before quoting from this transcript and email [email protected] with any questions.

It’s the first day of the Trump trial and just walking out the door in my house. It’s a beautiful day, 6:11 AM. The thing that keeps running through my head is it’s kind of amazing that hundreds of jurors are going to show up at the Manhattan courthouse. And some of them are going to know what they’re there for — probably talking to their friends, their relatives about it.

Some of them are going to learn this morning talking to other jurors in line, asking what all the fuss is about. But I really do imagine that there’s going to be at least one potential juror who, headphones on, getting into court. Here they’re going to be there for the first criminal trial of Donald J. Trump. And just, I mean, how would you react?

[MUSIC PLAYING]

From “The New York Times,” I’m Michael Barbaro. This is “The Daily.” Today, what it’s been like inside the lower Manhattan courtroom, where political and legal history are being made? My colleague, Jonah Bromwich, on the opening days of the first criminal trial of a US President. It’s Thursday, April 18.

Is that his mic? Hi, there.

Hello. How are you?

I’m doing good.

OK. Thank you for coming in, Jonah —

Thank you for having me.

— in the middle of a trial. Can you just explain why you’re able to even be here?

Sure. So we happen to be off on Wednesdays during trial, so.

We being not “The New York Times,” but the courts.

That’s right.

Which is why we’re taping with you. And because we now have two full court days of this history-making trial now under our belts. And the thing about this trial that’s so interesting is that there are no cameras in the courtroom for the wider world.

There’s no audio recordings. So all we really have is and your eyes and your notebook, maybe your laptop. And so we’re hoping you can reconstruct for us the scene of the first two days of this trial and really the highlights.

Yeah, I’d be happy to. So on Monday morning, I left the subway. It’s before 7:00 AM. The sun is just rising over these grandiose court buildings in lower Manhattan.

I’m about to turn left onto Center Street. I’m right in front of the big municipal building.

And I turn onto Center Street. That’s where the courthouses are.

I’m crossing.

And I expected to see a big crowd. And it was even bigger than I had anticipated.

Here we go. Here we go. Here we go. Now, I finally see the crowd.

You have camera banks. You have reporters. You have the beginnings of what will eventually become a protest. And you have this most New York thing, which is just a big crowd of people.

[CHUCKLES]: Who just know something is going on.

That’s right. And what they know is going on is, of course, the first trial of an American president.

All right, I’m passing the camera, folks. Camera, camera, camera, camera. Here we go.

Let’s start with Sharon Crowley live outside the courthouse in Lower Manhattan.

I want to get right to ABC’S Aaron Katersky who’s outside of the courthouse.

Robert Costa is following it outside the courthouse in Lower Manhattan. Bob, I saw the satellite trucks lined up all in a row. Good morning.

Talk to us how we got here exactly.

So this is the case that was brought by the Manhattan district attorney. So prosecutors have accused Donald Trump of covering up the actions of his former fixer, Michael Cohen, after Cohen paid hush money to Stormy Daniels. Stormy Daniels had a story about having had sex with Donald Trump, which Trump has always denied.

Cohen paid her money, and then Trump reimbursed Cohen. And prosecutors say that Trump essentially defrauded the American people because he hid this information that could have been very important for the election from those people when he reimbursed Cohen.

Right. And as I remember it, he also misrepresented what that reimbursement was. Claimed it was a legal fee when, in fact, it was just reimbursing Michael Cohen for a hush money payment.

Exactly, yeah. He definitely didn’t say reimbursement for hush money payment to Stormy Daniels. It’s a cover up case. It’s a case about hiding information you don’t want people to see.

Right. And of course, the context of all this is that it is in the middle of a presidential election. It’s 2016. Trump wants to keep this secret, prosecutors allege, so that the American public doesn’t know about it and potentially hold it against him.

Right. And prosecutors are telling a story about election interference. They’re saying that Trump interfered with an election. And Trump himself is also using the phrase “election interference.” But he’s painting the trial itself as election interference as he now runs again in 2024.

Fascinating.

And because we’re in Manhattan, and because the jury pool is going to be largely Democratic, and the judge is a Democrat, and the district attorney is a Democrat, Trump keeps claiming he cannot get a fair shake. This is democrat central. And in democrat central, Trump doesn’t have a chance.

OK. So, what happens once you actually enter the courthouse?

Outside, there’s all this fanfare. But inside, it’s a little bit business as usual. So I go up to the 15th floor, and I walk into the courtroom, and I sit down, and it’s the same old courtroom. And we’re sitting and waiting for the former president.

Around 9:30, Trump walks in. He looks thin. He looks a little tired, kind of slumping forward, as if to say with his body like let’s get this over with. Here we go.

The judge walks in a little bit after that. And we think we’re all set for the trial to start, but that’s not what happens here. And in fact, there are a series of legal arguments about what the trial is going to look like and what evidence is going to be allowed in.

So, for example, prosecutors ask that they be allowed to admit into evidence headlines from “The National Enquirer” that were attacks on Trump’s 2016 opponents — on Ted Cruz, on Marco Rubio, on Ben Carson.

Because prosecutors are in some sense putting Trump’s 2016 campaign on trial. These headlines are a big part of that because what prosecutors say they show is that Trump had this ongoing deal with “The National Enquirer.” And the publisher would promote him, and it would publish damaging stories about his opponents. And then crucially, it would protect Trump from negative stories. And that’s exactly what prosecutors say happened with Stormy Daniels. That “The National Enquirer” tipped Cohen off about Stormy Daniels trying to sell her story of having had sex with Donald Trump, which he denies. And that led to the hush money payment to her. So what prosecutors are doing overall with these headlines is establishing a pattern of conduct. And that conduct, they say, was an attempt to influence the election in Trump’s favor.

And the judge agrees. He’s going to admit this evidence. And this is a pretty big win for the prosecution. But even though they win that one, they’re not winning everything.

They lose some important arguments here. One of them was that after the Access Hollywood tape came out, there were allegations of sexual assault against Donald Trump. And you know this, Michael, because you reported two of them — two of the three in question at this very trial.

Prosecutors had hoped to talk about those during trial in front of the jury to show the jurors that the Trump campaign was really, really focused on pushing back against bad press in the wake of the Access Hollywood tape in which Trump seemed to describe sexual assault. That was a big problem for the campaign. Campaign did everything it could to push back, including against these allegations that surfaced in the wake of the tape.

But the judge, saying that the allegations are hearsay — that they’re based on the women’s stories — says absolutely not. That is incredibly prejudicial to the defendant.

Interesting.

And that Donald Trump would actually not get a fair trial were those allegations to be mentioned. And so he will not let those in. The jurors will not hear about them.

So this is a setback, of course, for the prosecution, a victory for Trump’s legal team.

It’s a setback. And it also just shows you how these pre-trial motions shape the context of the trial. Think of the trial as a venue like a theater or an athletic contest of some sort. And these pre-trial motions are about what gets led into the arena and what stays out. The sexual assault allegations — out. “The National Enquirer” headlines — in.

OK. And how is Trump sitting there at the defense table reacting to these pre-trial motion rulings from the judge?

Well, as I’ve just said, this is very important stuff for his trial.

Right. Hugely important.

But it’s all happening in legal language, and I’m decoding it for you. But if you were sitting there listening to it, you might get a little lost, and you might get a little bored. And Trump, who is not involved in these arguments, seems to fall asleep.

Seems to fall asleep — you’re seeing this with your own eyes.

What we’re seeing, overall, including our colleague, Maggie Haberman, who’s in the overflow room and has a direct view of Trump’s face — I’m sitting behind him in the courtroom, so I can’t see his face that well.

You guys are double teaming this.

That’s right. I’m sitting behind him, but Maggie is sitting in front of him. And what she sees is not only that his eyes are closed. That wouldn’t get you to he is asleep.

And we have to be really careful about reporting that he’s asleep, even if it seems like a frivolous thing. But what happens is that his head is dropping down to his chest, and then it’s snapping back up. So you’ve seen that, when a student —

I’ve done that.

(CHUCKLES) Yeah. We all kind of know that feeling of snapping awake suddenly. And we see the head motion, and it happens several times.

Lawyers kind of bothering him, not quite shaking him, but certainly trying to get his attention. And that head snapping motion, we felt confident enough to report that Trump fell asleep.

During his own criminal trial’s opening day.

Does someone eventually wake him up?

He wakes up. He wakes up. And in fact, in the afternoon, he’s much more animated. It’s almost as if he wants to be seen being very much awake.

Right. So once these pre-trial motions are ruled on and Trump is snapped back to attention, what happens?

Well, what happens in the courtroom is that the trial begins. The first trial of an American president is now in session. And what marks that beginning is jurors walking into the room one by one — many of them kind of craning their necks over at Donald Trump, giggling, raising their eyebrows at each other, filing into the room, and being sworn in by the judge. And that swearing in marks the official beginning of the trial.

The beginning is jury selection, and it’s often overlooked. It’s not dramatized in our kind of courtroom dramas in the same way. But it’s so important. It’s one of the most important parts of the case. Because whoever sits on the jury, these are the 12 people who are going to decide whether Trump is guilty or whether Trump is innocent.

So how does jury selection actually look and feel and go?

So, jury selection is a winnowing process. And in order to do that, you have to have these people go through a bunch of different hurdles. So the first hurdle is, after the judge describes the case, he asks the group — and there are just short of 100 of them — whether they can be fair and impartial. And says that if they can’t, they should leave. And more than half the group is instantly gone.

So after we do this big mass excusal, we’re left with the smaller group. And so now, jurors are getting called in smaller groups to the jury box. And what they’re going to do there is they’re going to answer this questionnaire.

And this part of the process is really conducted by the judge. The lawyers are involved. They’re listening, but they’re not yet asking questions of the jurors themselves.

And what’s on the questionnaire?

Well, it’s 42 questions. And the questions include, their education, their professional histories, their hobbies, what they like to do whether you’re a member of QAnon or Antifa.

Whether you’re far left or far right.

That’s right. Whether you’ve read “The Art of the Deal,” Trump’s book, which some prospective jurors had.

Right. It was a bestseller in its time.

That’s right. And some of it can be answered in yes/no questions, but some of it can be answered more at length. So some of the prospective jurors are going very, very fast. Yes, no, no, no, yes.

Right. Because this is an oral questionnaire.

That’s right. But some of them are taking their time. They’re expanding on their hobbies. So the potential juror in seat 3, for example, is talking about her hobbies. And she says some running, hiking. And then she said, I like to go to the club, and it got a huge laugh. And you get that kind of thing in jury selection, which is one of the reasons it’s so fun. It’s the height of normality in this situation that is anything but normal.

Right. The most banal answer possible delivered in front of the former president And current Republican nominee for president.

Well, that’s one of the fascinating parts about all this, right? is that they’re answering in front of Trump. And they’re answering questions about Trump in front of Trump. He doesn’t react all that much. But whenever someone says they’ve read “The Art of the Deal —” and there are a few of those — he kind of nods appreciatively, smiles. He likes that. It’s very clear. But because there are so many questions, this is taking forever, especially when people are choosing to answer and elaborate and digress.

This is when you fall asleep.

This Is. When I would have fallen asleep if I were a normal person.

And by the end of the day. Where does jury selection stand?

Well, the questionnaire is another device for shrinking that jury pool. And so the questionnaire has almost these little obstacles or roadblocks, including, in fact, a question that jurors have seen before — whether they would have any problem being fair and impartial?

Hmm. And they ask it again.

They’re asked it again. And they’re asked in this more individualized way. The judge is questioning them. They’re responding.

So, remember that woman who said she liked to go to the club got a big laugh. She reaches question 34. And question 34 reads, “Do you have any strong opinions or firmly-held beliefs about former President Donald Trump or the fact that he is a current candidate for president that would interfere with your ability to be a fair and impartial juror?” She said, yes, she does have an opinion that would prevent her from being fair and impartial. And she, too, is excused.

So that’s how it works. People answer the questionnaire, and they get excused in that way, or they have a scheduling conflict once they reach the jury box. And so to answer your question, Michael. At the end of day one, given all these problems with the questionnaire and the length of time it’s taken to respond to and people getting dismissed based on their answers, there is not a single juror seated for this trial.

And it’s starting to look like this is going to be a really hard case for which to find an impartial jury.

That’s the feeling in the room, yeah.

We’ll be right back.

So Jonah, let’s turn to day 2. What does jury selection look like on Tuesday?

So when the day begins, it looks almost exactly like it looked when the day ended on Monday. We’re still with the questionnaire, getting some interesting answers. But even though it feels like we’re going slow, we are going.

And so we’ve gone from about 100 people to now there’s about 24 the room there’s 18 the jury box. And by the time we hit lunch, all those people have answered all those questions, and we are ready for the next step in the process.

Voir dire. And what it is the heart of jury selection. This is the point where the lawyers themselves finally get to interview the jurors. And we get so much information from this moment because the lawyers ask questions based on what they want out of the jurors.

So the prosecution is asking all these different kinds of questions. The first round of wajir is done by a guy named Joshua Steinglass, a very experienced trial lawyer with the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. And he’s providing all these hypotheticals. I’ll give you one example because I found this one really, really interesting. He provides a hypothetical about a man who wants his wife killed and essentially hires a hitman to do it. And what he asked the jurors is, if that case were before you, would you be able to see that the man who hired the hitman was a part of this crime?

And of course, what he’s really getting at is, can you accept that even though Michael Cohen, Trump’s fixer, made this payment, Trump is the guy who hired him to do it?

That’s right. If there are other people involved, will jurors still be able to see Donald Trump’s hands behind it all?

Fascinating. And what were some of the responses?

People mostly said, yes, we accept that. So that’s how the prosecution did it.

But the defense had a totally different method of voir dire. They were very focused on their client and people’s opinions about their client.

So what kind of questions do we get from them?

So the lawyer, Todd Blanche, is asking people, what do you make of President Trump? What do you think of President Trump?

And what are some of the responses to that?

Well, there’s this incredible exchange with one of the jurors who absolutely refuses to give his opinion of Donald Trump. They go back and forth and back and forth. And the juror keeps insisting you don’t need to know my opinion of him. All you need to know is that I’m going to be fair and impartial, like I said. And Blanch pushes, and the guy pushes back. And the only way the guy budges is he finally kind of confesses almost at the end that, yes, I am a Democrat, and that’s all we get.

And what ends up happening to this potential juror?

Believe it or not, he got dismissed.

[LAUGHS]: I can believe it. And of course, it’s worth saying that this guy and everybody else is being asked that question just feet from Trump himself.

That’s right. And you might think you were going to get a really kind of spicy, like, popcorn emoji-type exchange from that. But because these are now jurors who have said they can be fair and impartial, who, to some extent, want to be on this jury or at least wouldn’t mind being on this jury, they’re being very restrained.

Mostly, what they are emphasizing — much like that guy just described dis — is that they can be fair. They can be impartial. There’s one woman who gives this really remarkable answer.

She says, I thought about this last night. I stayed up all night. I couldn’t sleep, thinking about whether I could be fair. It’s really important to me, and I can.

What ends up happening to that particular juror?

She’s also dismissed. And she’s dismissed without any reason at all. The defense decides it doesn’t like her. It doesn’t want her on the jury. And they have a certain number of chances to just get rid of jurors — no questions asked.

Other jurors are getting dismissed for cause — I’m doing air quotes with my hands — which means that the lawyers have argued they actually revealed themselves through their answers or through old social media posts, which are brought up in the courtroom, to be either non-credible, meaning they’ve said they can be fair and they can’t, or somehow too biased to be on the jury.

Wait, can I just dial into that for a second? Are lawyers researching the jurors in real time going online and saying — I’m making this up — but Jonah Bromwich is a potential juror, and I’m going to go off into my little corner of the courtroom and Google everything you’ve ever said? Is that what’s happening in the room?

Yeah, there’s a whole profession dedicated to that. It’s called jury consultant, and they’re very good at finding information on people in a hurry. And it certainly looked as if they were in play.

Did a social media post end up getting anybody kicked off this jury?

Yes, there were posts from 2016 era internet. You’ll remember that time as a very heated one on the internet, Facebook memes are a big thing. And so there’s all kinds of lock him up type memes and rhetoric. And some of the potential jurors here have used those. And those jurors are dismissed for a reason.

So we have these two types of dismissals, right? We have these peremptory dismissals — no reason at all given. And we have for cause dismissals.

And the process is called jury selection. But you don’t actually get selected for a jury. The thing is to make it through all these obstacles.

You’re left over.

Right. And so when certain jurors are not dismissed, and they’ve made it through all these stages, by the end of the day, we have gone from zero juror seated to seven jurors who will be participating in Donald Trump’s trial.

Got it. And without going through all seven, just give us a little bit of a sketch of who so far is on this jury. What stands out?

Well, not that much stands out. So we’ve got four men. We’ve got three women. One lives on the Upper East Side. One lives in Chelsea. Obviously, they’re from all over Manhattan.

They have these kind of very normal hobbies like spending time with family and friends. They have somewhat anonymous jobs. We’ve got two lawyers. We’ve got someone who’s worked in sales.

So there’s not that much identifying information. And that’s not an accident . One of the things that often happens with jury selection, whether it be for Donald Trump or for anyone else, is the most interesting jurors — the jurors that kind of catch your attention during the process — they get picked off because they are being so interesting that they interest one or the other side in a negative way. And soon they’re excused. So most of the jurors who are actually seated —

Are not memorable.

Are not that memorable, save one particular juror.

OK. All right, I’ll bite. What do I need to know about that one particular juror?

So let me tell you about a prospective juror who we knew as 374, who will now be juror number five. She’s a middle school teacher from Harlem. And she said that she has friends who have really strong opinions about Trump, but she herself does not. And she insisted several times, I am not a political person.

And then she said this thing that made me quite surprised that the prosecution was fine with having her on the jury. She said, quote, “President Trump speaks his mind, and I’d rather that than someone who’s in office who you don’t know what they’re thinking.”

Hmm. So she expressed approval of President Trump.

Yeah, it was mild approval. But the thing is, especially for the defense in this trial, all you need is one juror. One juror can tie up deliberations in knots, and you can end with a hung jury. And this is actually something that I saw firsthand. In 2019, I was the foreperson on a jury.

How you like that?

Yeah. And the trial was really complicated, but I had thought while we were doing the trial, oh, this is going to be a really easy decision. I thought the defendant in that case was guilty. So we get into deliberations, but there’s this one juror who keeps gumming up the works every time we seem to be making progress, getting a conversation started.

This juror proverbially throws up his hands and says, I am not convicting. This man is innocent. And we talked and we talked. And as the foreperson, I was trying to use all my skills to mediate.

But any time we made any progress, this guy would blow it up. And long story short, hung jury — big victory for the defense lawyer. And we come out of the room. And she points at this juror. The guy —

The defense lawyer.

The defense lawyer points at this juror who blew everything up. And she said, I knew it. I knew I had my guy.

OK. I don’t want to read too much into what you said about that one juror. But should I read between the lines to think that if there’s a hung jury, you wonder if it might be that juror?

That’s what everyone in the courtroom is wondering not just about this juror, but about every single person who was selected. Is this the person who swings the case for me? Is this the person who swings the case against me?

These juries are so complex. It’s 12 people who don’t know each other at the start of the trial and, by the end of the trial, have seen each other every morning and are experiencing the same things, but are not allowed to have talked about the case until deliberations start. In that moment when deliberations start —

You’re going to learn a whole lot about each other.

That’s right. There’s this alchemical moment where suddenly, it all matters. Every personality selected matters. And that’s why jury selection is so important. And that’s why these last two days are actually one of the most important parts of this trial.

OK. So by my math, this trial will require five more jurors to get to 12. I know also they’re going to need to be alternates. But from what you’re saying what looked like a really uphill battle to get an impartial jury or a jury that said it could be impartial — and Trump was very doubtful one could be found — has turned out to not be so hard to find.

That’s right. And in fact, we went from thinking, oh, boy, this is going awfully slowly, to the judge himself saying we could be doing opening arguments as soon as Monday morning. And I think that highlights something that’s really fascinating both about this trial and about the jury selection process overall.

One of the things that lawyers have been arguing about is whether or not it’s important to figure out what jurors’ opinions about Donald Trump are. And the prosecution and, I think, the judge have really said, no, that’s not the key issue here. The key issue is not whether or not people have opinions about Donald Trump.

Right. Who doesn’t have an opinion about Donald Trump?

Exactly. They’re going to. Automatically, they’re going to. The question is whether or not they can be fair and impartial. And the seven people we already have seated, and presumably the five people that we’re going to get over the next few days and however many alternates — we expect six — are all going to have answered that question, not I hate Trump; I love Trump, but I can weigh in on the former president’s innocence or guilt, and I can do it as fairly as humanly possible.

Now, Trump is not happy about this. He said after court yesterday, quote, We have a highly conflicted judge, and he’s rushing this trial.” And I think that he is going to see these beats of the system the criminal justice system as it works on him as he is experiencing it as unfair. That is typically how he talks about it and how he views it.

But what he’s getting is what defendants get. This is the system in New York, in the United States. This is its answer to how do you pick a fair jury? Well, you ask people can you be fair? And you put them through this process, and the outcome is 12 people.

And so I think we’re going to see this over and over again in this trial. We’re going to see Trump experience the criminal justice system.

And its routines.

Yeah, openings, witnesses, evidence, closings. He’s going to go through all of it. And I think, at every turn, it makes sense to expect him to say, well, this is not fair. Well, the judge is doing something wrong. Well, the prosecutors are doing something wrong. Well, the jury is doing something wrong.

But at the end of the day, he’s going to be a defendant, and he’s going to sit, mostly silently if his lawyers can make him do that, and watch this process play itself out. So the system is going to try and treat him like any other defendant, even though, of course —

— he’s not. And he is going to fight back like no other defendant would, like no other defendant could. And that tension, him pushing against the criminal justice system as it strives to treat him, as it would anyone else, is going to be a defining quality of this trial.

Well, Jonah, thank you very much. We appreciate it.

Of course. Thanks so much for having me. [MUSIC PLAYING]

PS, have you ever fallen asleep in a trial?

I have not.

[CHUCKLES]:

Here’s what else you need to know today.

It’s clear the Israelis are making a decision to act. We hope they do so in a way that does as little to escalate this as possible and in a way that, as I said —

During a visit to Jerusalem on Wednesday, Britain’s foreign Secretary left little doubt that Israel would retaliate against Iran for last weekend’s aerial attack, despite pressure from the United States and Britain to stand down. The question now is what form that retaliation will take? “The Times” reports that Israel is weighing several options, including a direct strike on Iran, a cyber attack, or targeted assassinations. And —

Look, history judges us for what we do. This is a critical time right now, critical time on the world stage.

In a plan that could threaten his job, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson will put a series of foreign aid bills up for a vote this weekend. The bills, especially for aid to Ukraine, are strongly opposed by far-right House Republicans, at least two of whom have threatened to try to oust Johnson over the plan.

I can make a selfish decision and do something that’s different, but I’m doing here what I believe to be the right thing. I think providing lethal aid to Ukraine right now is critically important. I really do. I really — [MUSIC PLAYING]

Today’s episode was produced by Rikki Novetsky, Will Reid, Lynsea Garrison, and Rob Zubko. It was edited by Paige Cowett, contains original music by Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, and Dan Powell, and was engineered by Chris Wood. Our theme music is by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly Lake.

That’s it for “The Daily.” I’m Michael Barbaro. See you tomorrow.

• April 19, 2024   •   30:42 The Supreme Court Takes Up Homelessness
• April 18, 2024   •   30:07 The Opening Days of Trump’s First Criminal Trial
• April 17, 2024   •   24:52 Are ‘Forever Chemicals’ a Forever Problem?
• April 16, 2024   •   29:29 A.I.’s Original Sin
• April 15, 2024   •   24:07 Iran’s Unprecedented Attack on Israel
• April 14, 2024   •   46:17 The Sunday Read: ‘What I Saw Working at The National Enquirer During Donald Trump’s Rise’
• April 12, 2024   •   34:23 How One Family Lost $900,000 in a Timeshare Scam
• April 11, 2024   •   28:39 The Staggering Success of Trump’s Trial Delay Tactics
• April 10, 2024   •   22:49 Trump’s Abortion Dilemma
• April 9, 2024   •   30:48 How Tesla Planted the Seeds for Its Own Potential Downfall
• April 8, 2024   •   30:28 The Eclipse Chaser
• April 7, 2024 The Sunday Read: ‘What Deathbed Visions Teach Us About Living’

Hosted by Michael Barbaro

Featuring Jonah E. Bromwich

Produced by Rikki Novetsky ,  Will Reid ,  Lynsea Garrison and Rob Szypko

Edited by Paige Cowett

Original music by Dan Powell ,  Marion Lozano and Elisheba Ittoop

Engineered by Chris Wood

Listen and follow The Daily Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music

Political and legal history are being made in a Lower Manhattan courtroom as Donald J. Trump becomes the first former U.S. president to undergo a criminal trial.

Jonah Bromwich, who covers criminal justice in New York, explains what happened during the opening days of the trial, which is tied to Mr. Trump’s role in a hush-money payment to a porn star.

On today’s episode

Jonah E. Bromwich , who covers criminal justice in New York for The New York Times.

Background reading

Here’s a recap of the courtroom proceedings so far.

Mr. Trump’s trial enters its third day with seven jurors chosen.

There are a lot of ways to listen to The Daily. Here’s how.

We aim to make transcripts available the next workday after an episode’s publication. You can find them at the top of the page.

The Daily is made by Rachel Quester, Lynsea Garrison, Clare Toeniskoetter, Paige Cowett, Michael Simon Johnson, Brad Fisher, Chris Wood, Jessica Cheung, Stella Tan, Alexandra Leigh Young, Lisa Chow, Eric Krupke, Marc Georges, Luke Vander Ploeg, M.J. Davis Lin, Dan Powell, Sydney Harper, Mike Benoist, Liz O. Baylen, Asthaa Chaturvedi, Rachelle Bonja, Diana Nguyen, Marion Lozano, Corey Schreppel, Rob Szypko, Elisheba Ittoop, Mooj Zadie, Patricia Willens, Rowan Niemisto, Jody Becker, Rikki Novetsky, John Ketchum, Nina Feldman, Will Reid, Carlos Prieto, Ben Calhoun, Susan Lee, Lexie Diao, Mary Wilson, Alex Stern, Dan Farrell, Sophia Lanman, Shannon Lin, Diane Wong, Devon Taylor, Alyssa Moxley, Summer Thomad, Olivia Natt, Daniel Ramirez and Brendan Klinkenberg.

Our theme music is by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly. Special thanks to Sam Dolnick, Paula Szuchman, Lisa Tobin, Larissa Anderson, Julia Simon, Sofia Milan, Mahima Chablani, Elizabeth Davis-Moorer, Jeffrey Miranda, Renan Borelli, Maddy Masiello, Isabella Anderson and Nina Lassam.

Jonah E. Bromwich covers criminal justice in New York, with a focus on the Manhattan district attorney’s office and state criminal courts in Manhattan. More about Jonah E. Bromwich

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Scottie Scheffler wins 2024 Masters Tournament for 2nd win in 3 years

By Emily Mae Czachor

Updated on: April 14, 2024 / 10:00 PM EDT / CBS News

Scottie Scheffler secured his second Masters Tournament  victory in three years on Sunday, finishing 11 under and four strokes up on his closest competitors.

The 27-year-old American was tied with Ludvig Aberg, Max Homa and Collin Morikawa coming into the eighth hole before the world no. 1 hit three straight birdies to take the lead for good. Aberg ended up placing second in his debut at the Masters. 

Scheffler has been ranked No. 1 in the world for more than two years now and also won the 2022 Masters tournament, which was his first major championship win.  

The tournament was marked by unruly weather and at least one history-making moment. Golf icon and returning Masters champion Tiger Woods opened the tournament's last leg with his 100th round at the major.

The Masters Tournament is an invitational event held yearly at the Augusta National Golf Club, a private golf course in Augusta, Georgia. Since its establishment in 1934, the tournament has grown to become one of the four most important championships in men's professional golf. The tournament typically takes place during the first week of April, so they are the first major event of every season, followed by the PGA Championships, the U.S. Open and the Open Championship, which are usually held in May, June and July, respectively. 

Scheffler and Morikawa held first and second on the 2024 Masters leaderboard , in that order, heading into the fourth round, on Sunday. They teed off in the afternoon as the last pairing of the day. Xander Schauffele and Bryson DeChambeau also began their play in a featured afternoon slot, with DeChambeau in fifth place on the leaderboard and Schauffele in sixth at the start of the round. 

Spanish golfer Jon Rahm , the 29-year-old who won the Masters tournament last year, returned to the course Sunday to defend his title, although his performances during the preceding rounds this weekend meant he was no longer competing to win. Woods had fallen out of contention, too, by the tournament's last day. After making his 24th consecutive cut on Friday, which was a new record at the championship, the star golfer went on to shoot a personal worst during the next and third round. At 48, Woods is a decorated golfing champion with five previous wins at the Masters. He teed off Sunday morning with the 23-year-old amateur Neal Shipley, commencing his 100th Masters round.

Scheffler will receive a huge cash prize in addition to the traditional green jacket, which is given to the Masters winner each year. The overall purse for the 2024 Masters is $20 million, setting a new record-high and jumping $2 million from last year's prize fund. 

The champion this year will receive $3.6 million from the purse, which is also a new record and up from the $3.2 million payout that Rahm received for his Masters win in 2023. What remained of the total $18 million purse in that case was divided among 50 golfers who participated in the tournament, with their individual scores determining how much prize money they were eventually awarded.

• The Masters
• Tiger Woods

Emily Mae Czachor is a reporter and news editor at CBSNews.com. She covers breaking news, often focusing on crime and extreme weather. Emily Mae has previously written for outlets including the Los Angeles Times, BuzzFeed and Newsweek.

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