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• Directories Complete listing of state and local associations, MLSs, members, and more.
• Become a Member As a member, you are the voice for NAR – it is your association and it exists to help you succeed.
• Logos and Trademark Rules Only members of NAR can call themselves a REALTOR®. Learn how to properly use the logo and terms.
• Your Membership Account Review your membership preferences and Code of Ethics training status.
• Highlights & News Get the latest top line research, news, and popular reports.
• Housing Statistics National, regional, and metro-market level housing statistics where data is available.
• Research Reports Research on a wide range of topics of interest to real estate practitioners.
• Presentation Slides Access recent presentations from NAR economists and researchers.
• State & Metro Area Data Affordability, economic, and buyer & seller profile data for areas in which you live and work.
• Commercial Research Analysis of commercial market sectors and commercial-focused issues and trends.
• Federal Advocacy From its building located steps away from the U.S. Capitol, NAR advocates for you.
• REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC) Promoting the election of pro-REALTOR® candidates across the United States.
• State & Local Advocacy Resources to foster and harness the grassroots strength of the REALTOR® Party.
• REALTOR® Party A powerful alliance working to protect and promote homeownership and property investment.
• Get Involved Now more than ever, it is critical for REALTORS® across America to come together and speak with one voice.
• All NAR & Affiliate Courses Continuing education and specialty knowledge can help boost your salary and client base.
• Code of Ethics Training Fulfill your COE training requirement with free courses for new and existing members.
• Continuing Education (CE) Meet the continuing education (CE) requirement in state(s) where you hold a license.
• Designations & Certifications Acknowledging experience and expertise in various real estate specialties, awarded by NAR and its affiliates.
• Library & Archives Offering research services and thousands of print and digital resources.
• Commitment to Excellence (C2EX) Empowers REALTORS® to evaluate, enhance and showcase their highest levels of professionalism.
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Virtual Showings and Virtual Tours

EBSCO articles ( E ) are available only to NAR members and require the member's nar.realtor login.

As REALTORS® pivot to technology and virtual methods to show homes and properties, NAR compiled these handy links and resources to get you started.

Virtual Showings

Mabél Guzmán: A Strategy for Virtual Showings During COVID-19 ( National Association of REALTORS® )

Viewing Properties Virtually During COVID-19 [PDF]  ( National Association of REALTORS® )

Here’s What Every Seller Needs to Know About Virtual Showings ( DPIWow.com , Dec. 23, 2020)

Virtual Showings, The New Normal ( Consolto , Dec. 12, 2020)

The Evolution of Showing Homes During COVID-19 ( Rocket Mortgage , Aug. 21, 2020)

9 Ways for Sellers to Prepare a Virtual Showing ( Florida REALTORS® )

Virtual Tours

Remote Video Tours, ‘Sight Unseen’ Offers Become the Norm ( REALTOR® Magazine , Jan. 27, 2021)

5 Great Reasons Why You Should Use Virtual Tours of Homes for Sale ( Nextheme , Jan. 26, 2021)

Digitizing the American Dream ( Seattle Magazine , Dec. 22, 2020)

Virtual Real Estate Tours Give a Three-Dimensional Look at Properties ( NewsNBlogs , Dec. 17, 2020)

A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Virtual Home Tour ( REALTOR® Magazine , Nov.-Dec. 2020)

3D Home Tours Are All the Rage in Real Estate ( The Street , Nov. 16, 2020)

How Technology Has Changed the Selling Process in the Times of COVID ( RISMedia , Nov. 15, 2020)

Best Practices for Virtual Tours and Virtual Showings

How to Navigate a Virtual Tour for Real Estate ( Quicken Loans , March 3, 2021)

Avoid Liability in 'Sight Unseen' Sales ( REALTOR® Magazine , Jan.-Feb. 2021)

What You Need to Know About Using Virtual House Tours to Sell Your Home ( Yahoo! , Feb. 1, 2021)

10 Questions to Ask During a Virtual Home Tour ( AZ Big Media , Feb. 1, 2021)

Purchasing a Home Virtually? Here are 5 Tips! ( HousingWire , Jan. 21, 2021)

Here’s What Every Seller Needs to Know About Virtual Showings ( Connie Fitzgerald , Jan. 20, 2021)

Avoid These 5 Mistakes When Buying a Home Sight Unseen ( realtor.com® , Jan. 4, 2021)

Can Virtual Showings Help Keep Agents Safe? ( HomeRover , Dec. 17, 2020)

When to Invest in 3D Virtual Tours v.s. Video Tours in Real Estate in 2021 ( Cole Connor , Dec. 16, 2020)

How to Make a Virtual 360 Tour for Real Estate ( RE Photo Journal , Dec. 8, 2020)

Equipment and Online Platforms to Help with Virtual Showings ( Doreen Silver , Dec. 8, 2020)

How to Tour a House Today: Tips to Make the Most of Virtual or In-Person Showings ( realtor.com® , Nov. 11, 2020)

5 Secrets Buyers and Sellers Must Know About Virtual Home Tours ( Anthony Team Realty , Nov. 3, 2020)

Virtual Tours are Here to Stay. This is How to Do Them Right ( The New York Times , Sept. 1, 2020)

The Top 5 Tips to Prepare Your Listing for Virtual Showings ( McManamy McLeod Heller , Aug. 26, 2020)

Useful Websites

Asteroom  — Armed with just a phone and our affordable 3D tour kit, anyone can create a high-quality 3D virtual tour in minutes. No training or past experience required.  After you take the photos with our app, we will perform image enhancements as well as create a 3D dollhouse and 2D floorplan within 24 hours. We can even do 3D room staging if needed.

CloudPano  — CloudPano is the best software platform for publishing virtual tours. No coding required, keep your website domain, and even chat live with clients.

Facebook Live  — Live video on Facebook is immediate, authentic and interactive.

FaceTime  — Learn how to use FaceTime to make video and audio calls from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.

Matterport  — Create experiences like nothing you’ve ever seen before. With a single scan, you can automatically create 3D walk-throughs, 4K print quality photos, schematic floor plans, OBJ files, point clouds, videos, and other media.

Messenger  — Hang out anywhere, anytime by getting on a call or a group video chat.

Skype Meet Now  — Generate your free unique link with one click, share it with participants and enjoy effortless meetings with Skype. Full set of features at your disposal.

TruPlace — For buyers looking to be guided through a property visually, TruPlace has Walkthrough Videos that escort viewers to each room. These video products are available at varying lengths from 1-minute to 4-minutes long, regardless of property size.

Zoom — Simplified video conferencing and messaging across any device.

eBooks & Other Resources

Facebook Marketing for Dummies (eBook)

How to Shoot Video That Doesn’t Suck (Kindle, eBook)

Master Facebook (Kindle, eBook)

Skype for Dummies (Kindle, eBook)

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Skype for PCs (eBook)

Tools for Live Streaming 8 (Kindle, eBook)

Video Marketing for Dummies (eBook)

Have an idea for a real estate topic? Send us your suggestions .

The inclusion of links on this page does not imply endorsement by the National Association of REALTORS®. NAR makes no representations about whether the content of any external sites which may be linked in this page complies with state or federal laws or regulations or with applicable NAR policies. These links are provided for your convenience only and you rely on them at your own risk.

Best Practices for Virtual Meetings

Best Practices for Working From Home

SCCAOR Sponsored Tour and Marketing Sessions

Broker’s Open Tour Meetings are open to REALTORS® of any Association and Affiliate members of SCCAOR

Who may attend a SCCAOR sponsored Tour and Marketing Sessions (Broker’s Open Tour Meetings)?

Broker’s Open Tour Meetings are open to REALTORS® of any Association and Affiliate members of SCCAOR.

How do I put my property on Tour?

To put your listing on open tour, in MLSListings go to “Manage Listings”, click on the “Select Action” drop down menu next to the listing you want to put on tour and select “Property Tour”. Click on the “Tour Sponsor” drop down menu then select “Santa Clara County Association of REALTORS®”. Click on the “Tour Name” dropdown menu and select the Tour you want to add along with the Tour Date. You can also add remarks to promote your listing. In order for your property to make the tour cutoff, it needs to be entered the previous day of tour at noon. If the previous day before tour is a holiday, then the tour cutoff is an extra day before. Example: Tour is on Tuesday; the normal cutoff is the previous Monday at noon. If Monday is a holiday, the new cutoff becomes the previous Friday at noon.

How do I access the properties on tour?

To search for tour, you can either search in Matrix or Paragon.

In Matrix, click on the “Search” tab and scroll down to the tour section and click on “Quick”. Once there, select the sponsor (Santa Clara County Association of REALTORS®), the tour (ex. “Milpitas/Berryessa/Santa Clara/Alviso”) the date and click search.

In Paragon, go to Search and select “Tour and Open House”. Once there, select the date, tour and area number and click on “Search.”

Do I have to be present at my listing?

It is recommended that you are present to address questions.

Can we put the same property on tour every week?

No. Re-tours are only allowed after a 5% or more of a price reduction since it was last toured.

What is the cost?

There is no cost.

Evergreen Virtual Marketing Meeting Day: Tuesdays Start Time:8:30 a.m. Join Zoom Meeting:   https://carorg.zoom.us/j/91879579265?pwd=aTFCeVNxTkx5MFpvdlZZRTZsT2k4Zz09 Meeting ID: 918 7957 9265 Passcode: 828878 Dial-in number:  +1 669-900-6833 Info: [email protected]

CBVA Virtual Marketing Meeting

Download Current Toursheet (Members Only)

Day: Wednesdays Start Time: 8:30 a.m. Join Zoom Meeting:   https://carorg.zoom.us/j/978987659?pwd=TlM1TWlRN1lPZzZmcFpxNHhBNXgrQT09 Passcode: 842839 Meeting ID: 978 987 659 Dial-in number: 1-669-900-6833 Information: [email protected]

Morgan Hill  Marketing Meeting

Day: Wednesdays Start Time: 9:00 a.m. Meeting Location: Morgan Hill Community Center, 17000 Monterey Rd, Morgan Hill

Information: Shannon Sloan at 408.310.7100

IREBN Independent Real Estate Brokers Network Virtual Meeting Day: Wednesdays Start Time: 9:30 a.m. Join Zoom Meeting: http://tinyurl.com/IREBN2021 This meeting is limited to those having a DRE broker’s license and working at an Independent (non-franchise) firm. Focus is on the sharing of ideas, questions, MLS tips/tricks, and/or concerns related to the real estate industry, transaction based solutions. First time attendees should introduce themselves and provide their DRE# to avoid being removed by the host.

North Valley Virtual Marketing Meeting Day:  Thursdays Start Time:  8:30 a.m. Join Meeting:   https://carorg.zoom.us/j/98321512809?pwd=YzdwSmxLeXp6cDdCbmFXK0ZSVWNRdz09 Passcode: 138620 Meeting ID:  983 2151 2809 Dial-in number:  +1 669-900-6833 Information:  [email protected]

Gilroy Marketing Meeting Day: Thursdays Start Time: 9:00 a.m. – Open tour after the meeting until 12 Noon Meeting Location: Old City Hall Restaurant, 7400 Monterey Rd, Gilroy

Friday Connect (Campbell) Marketing Meeting Day: Fridays Start Time: 9:00 a.m. Meeting Location: Little Lou’s BBQ (2455 Winchester Blvd, Campbell) Information: Sandy Sicsko – [email protected]

ADDITIONAL REAL ESTATE MEETINGS

Monday Morning Mastermind Meeting Day: Mondays Start Time:  9:45 a.m. (early log-in starts at 9:30 a.m.) Join Meeting:   https://us02web. zoom.us/j/82150081381 Meeting ID:  821 5008 1381 Information:  Marc Blaauw   [email protected]

Willow Glen Meeting Day:  Thursdays Start Time:  9:30 a.m. Meeting Location: Rookies Sports Lodge, 1535 Meridian Ave, San Jose

East Foothills REALTORS® Meeting Meets on the second Wednesday of each month Start Time:  8:45 a.m. Meeting Location: Antipastos, 3454 McKee Ave, San Jose

about SCCAOR

The Santa Clara County Association of REALTORS® (SCCAOR) exists to meet the business, professional and political needs of its members and to promote and protect private property rights.

With an association membership of approximately 6,000 REALTORS® and 400 Affiliates, SCCAOR offers leadership, educational, political and networking opportunities.

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email: [email protected]

Para asistencia en Español – 408-445-5074

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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.

Check out these 8 essential tools to help you succeed as a professional photographer.

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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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National Association of Real Estate Brokers Building Black Wealth Day April 13, 2024

Register Now

Presented in collaboration with the Church Of God in Christ, Inc. , the local National Building Black Wealth Day events were a component of NAREB’s Building Black Wealth Tour, which holds events in cities nationwide.  Other NAREB partners for the Building Black Wealth tour include the African American Mayors Association, the National Bar Association, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity. Major sponsors include Wells Fargo and Fannie Mae. The HUD-approved NID Housing Counseling Agency provided free credit reports at the events and continues to counsel registrants online.

Over 25,000 People Attend NAREB National Building Black Wealth Day Events Across the Country

On Saturday, April 13, more than 25,000 individuals flocked to events nationwide, marking the National Building Black Wealth Day as designated by the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB). In over 100 cities, seminars and one-on-one sessions delved into a wide range of topics, from homeownership and property investment to business startups and other wealth-building opportunities.

Each location drew an impressive average of 200 to 250 attendees, with an additional 2,000 individuals signing up for virtual sessions via Zoom.

Notable figures graced the events, including Chance the Rapper in Chicago and Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard. Mayor Howard, who also serves as the President of the African American Mayors Association, headlined the event in her city.

• What to do with Big Momma’s House?
• ABCs of Homebuying
• Real Estate Investing
• Down Payment Assistance
• Explore Careers in Real Estate
• Free Career Fair
• Free Health Screenings
• One On Ones with Real Estate Attorneys
• One On Ones with Housing Counselors

Tiffany Thrower attended the Mount Vernon event and showed her appreciation.

“Wow, what did I experience today?” Thrower exclaimed in an interview at the event. “Today was a very informative day. It was a day of enlightenment. I learned so much about things that are often hidden in plain sight. This particular event shared a lot of information on Black wealth, becoming a homeowner, and what to do if you own a home. I’m in information overload. If the opportunity ever comes in your area, you have to attend an event like this. I feel like, especially with people of Black and Brown communities, a lot of information they don’t get because they don’t come to events like this. This was very empowering and is actually going to make me a better person when I leave, and I’m very happy about it.”

A Nationwide Initiative

A Journey Towards Prosperity, Equity, and a Legacy of Homeownership

Explore a nationwide initiative empowering Black communities with property ownership and wealth-building opportunities, as NAREB collaborates with the National Bar Association and African American Mayors Association in 100 cities.

As part of NAREB’s Realtist Week, 101 NAREB Chapters, in 100 Markets will host Community Days as part of the Building Black Wealth Tour. In addition, on April 13th NAREB will host a Virtual Community Wealth Building Day for consumers across the country to participate in online.

We Thank the NAREB Building Black Wealth Tour Sponsors

Start Your Journey

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Empower Youth for a Brighter Future

Connect with Civic Leaders, Including the City Mayor

Building black wealth blog.

NAREB’S ABCs for Buying a Home: The Important Steps to Owning a Home and Building Wealth

by narebbbwt | Apr 3, 2024 | Black Wealth Blog

Sheryl Merritt, MBA, CEO/Broker New Legacy Realty The most effective way for African Americans to build wealth is through homeownership. But so many families ask, where do you...

A Conversation about Inheritance, What to Do with Big Mama’s House, and Getting on a Path Towards Intergenerational Wealth

by narebbbwt | Apr 1, 2024 | Black Wealth Blog

Attorney Dominque Calhoun President of the National Bar Association My grandmother, the oldest of 14 siblings passed away in 2018.  She gave birth to seven children. Out of that...

NAREB Black Development Academy is Training Black Developers

by narebbbwt | Mar 21, 2024 | Black Wealth Blog

The NAREB Black Developer Academy is a transformative initiative to address the pressing need for increased diversity and representation in the real estate development industry....

News & Media

NAREB Brings Black Wealth Tour Event to Charlotte

by ashrielnareb | Feb 26, 2024 | Charlotte Articles , Featured , Newsletter Articles

The National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) National Black Wealth Tour will hold its Charlotte Crown Community Day on Saturday, March 2, starting at 9 a.m. at...

Nearly 1,000 PEOPLE ATTENDED NAREB’S BLACK WEALTH TOUR EVENT IN BIRMINGHAM

by ashrielnareb | Nov 22, 2023 | Birmingham , Featured , Newsroom

Free workshops, youth activities, housing counselors, one-on-one sessions, and more at festivities that helped Black families build intergenerational wealth BIRMINGHAM, AL -...

NAREB’s 60-City, Black Wealth Tour Begins In Houston on Saturday, 10/7/23, With A Community Wealth Building Day

by narebbbwt | Oct 4, 2023 | Featured , Houston Articles , Newsletter Articles

“Our goal is to end disparities and help Houston and other Black communities thrive,” said Dr. Rose. “The Building Black Wealth Tour will provide critical data, information, and advice to community members. We will ensure community members know about homeownership opportunities, estate planning, and real estate investing. We want Black families and individuals to have access to cutting-edge tools that can help them take the next step.”

Moscow Metro Tour

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Description

Moscow metro private tours.

• 2-hour tour $87:  10 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with hotel pick-up and drop-off
• 3-hour tour $137:  20 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with Russian lunch in beautifully-decorated Metro Diner + hotel pick-up and drop off. 
• Metro pass is included in the price of both tours.

Highlight of Metro Tour

• Visit 10 must-see stations of Moscow metro on 2-hr tour and 20 Metro stations on 3-hr tour, including grand Komsomolskaya station with its distinctive Baroque décor, aristocratic Mayakovskaya station with Soviet mosaics, legendary Revolution Square station with 72 bronze sculptures and more!
• Explore Museum of Moscow Metro and learn a ton of technical and historical facts;
• Listen to the secrets about the Metro-2, a secret line supposedly used by the government and KGB;
• Experience a selection of most striking features of Moscow Metro hidden from most tourists and even locals;
• Discover the underground treasure of Russian Soviet past – from mosaics to bronzes, paintings, marble arches, stained glass and even paleontological elements;
• Learn fun stories and myths about Coffee Ring, Zodiac signs of Moscow Metro and more;
• Admire Soviet-era architecture of pre- and post- World War II perious;
• Enjoy panoramic views of Sparrow Hills from Luzhniki Metro Bridge – MetroMost, the only station of Moscow Metro located over water and the highest station above ground level;
• If lucky, catch a unique «Aquarelle Train» – a wheeled picture gallery, brightly painted with images of peony, chrysanthemums, daisies, sunflowers and each car unit is unique;
• Become an expert at navigating the legendary Moscow Metro system;
• Have fun time with a very friendly local;
• + Atmospheric Metro lunch in Moscow’s the only Metro Diner (included in a 3-hr tour)

Hotel Pick-up

Metro stations:.

Komsomolskaya

Novoslobodskaya

Prospekt Mira

Belorusskaya

Mayakovskaya

Novokuznetskaya

Revolution Square

Sparrow Hills

+ for 3-hour tour

Victory Park

Slavic Boulevard

Vystavochnaya

Dostoevskaya

Elektrozavodskaya

Partizanskaya

Museum of Moscow Metro

• Drop-off  at your hotel, Novodevichy Convent, Sparrow Hills or any place you wish
• + Russian lunch  in Metro Diner with artistic metro-style interior for 3-hour tour

Fun facts from our Moscow Metro Tours:

From the very first days of its existence, the Moscow Metro was the object of civil defense, used as a bomb shelter, and designed as a defense for a possible attack on the Soviet Union.

At a depth of 50 to 120 meters lies the second, the coded system of Metro-2 of Moscow subway, which is equipped with everything you need, from food storage to the nuclear button.

According to some sources, the total length of Metro-2 reaches over 150 kilometers.

The Museum was opened on Sportivnaya metro station on November 6, 1967. It features the most interesting models of trains and stations.

Coffee Ring

The first scheme of Moscow Metro looked like a bunch of separate lines. Listen to a myth about Joseph Stalin and the main brown line of Moscow Metro.

Zodiac Metro

According to some astrologers, each of the 12 stops of the Moscow Ring Line corresponds to a particular sign of the zodiac and divides the city into astrological sector.

Astrologers believe that being in a particular zadiac sector of Moscow for a long time, you attract certain energy and events into your life.

Paleontological finds 

Red marble walls of some of the Metro stations hide in themselves petrified inhabitants of ancient seas. Try and find some!

• Every day each car in  Moscow metro passes  more than 600 km, which is the distance from Moscow to St. Petersburg.
• Moscow subway system is the  5th in the intensity  of use (after the subways of Beijing, Tokyo, Seoul and Shanghai).
• The interval in the movement of trains in rush hour is  90 seconds .

What you get:

• + A friend in Moscow.
• + Private & customized Moscow tour.
• + An exciting pastime, not just boring history lessons.
• + An authentic experience of local life.
• + Flexibility during the walking tour: changes can be made at any time to suit individual preferences.
• + Amazing deals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the very best cafes & restaurants. Discounts on weekdays (Mon-Fri).
• + A photo session amongst spectacular Moscow scenery that can be treasured for a lifetime.
• + Good value for souvenirs, taxis, and hotels.
• + Expert advice on what to do, where to go, and how to make the most of your time in Moscow.

Write your review

• Preplanned tours
• Daytrips out of Moscow
• Themed tours
• Customized tours
• St. Petersburg

Moscow Metro

The Moscow Metro Tour is included in most guided tours’ itineraries. Opened in 1935, under Stalin’s regime, the metro was not only meant to solve transport problems, but also was hailed as “a people’s palace”. Every station you will see during your Moscow metro tour looks like a palace room. There are bright paintings, mosaics, stained glass, bronze statues… Our Moscow metro tour includes the most impressive stations best architects and designers worked at - Ploshchad Revolutsii, Mayakovskaya, Komsomolskaya, Kievskaya, Novoslobodskaya and some others.

What is the kremlin in russia?

The guide will not only help you navigate the metro, but will also provide you with fascinating background tales for the images you see and a history of each station.

And there some stories to be told during the Moscow metro tour! The deepest station - Park Pobedy - is 84 metres under the ground with the world longest escalator of 140 meters. Parts of the so-called Metro-2, a secret strategic system of underground tunnels, was used for its construction.

During the Second World War the metro itself became a strategic asset: it was turned into the city's biggest bomb-shelter and one of the stations even became a library. 217 children were born here in 1941-1942! The metro is the most effective means of transport in the capital.

There are almost 200 stations 196 at the moment and trains run every 90 seconds! The guide of your Moscow metro tour can explain to you how to buy tickets and find your way if you plan to get around by yourself.

Connect with an agent

A realtor.com coordinator will connect you with a local agent in minutes.

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.

A Realtor.com coordinator will call you shortly

What’s next.

• A coordinator will ask a few questions about your home buying or selling needs.
• You’ll be introduced to an agent from our real estate professional network.

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

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Sales of Existing Homes Slump as Prices and Mortgage Rates Rise

Home sales slipped in March as mortgage rates rose.

Total existing-home sales dropped 4.3% from February, to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.19 million in March, the National Association of Realtors® reported on Thursday. The March sales figure represented a 3.7% drop from one year ago. (Existing homes exclude new construction.)

A pullback in sales had been widely expected after mortgage rates ticked up , discouraging buyers.

Prices also kept climbing. The median price for existing homes was $393,500 in March, up 4.8% from the previous year to the highest it’s ever been for that month. Prices rose in all U.S. regions, climbing 9.9% in the Northeast, 7.5% in the Midwest, 6.7% in the West, and 3.4% in the South.

But in a silver lining for prospective homeowners, the number of existing homes for sale jumped 4.7% from February to 1.11 million units at the end of March, according to the report. The number of existing homes on the market was up 14.4% from a year ago.

Although high prices and rising interest rates remain challenges for homebuyers, any boost to housing inventory could provide some relief in a tight market where limited supply has been a persistent issue.

“More inventory is always welcomed in the current environment,” said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun in a statement. “There are nearly six million more jobs now compared to pre-COVID highs, which suggests more aspiring home buyers exist in the market.”

It is still a “great time to list” as home prices continue to rise overall and sellers of midpriced properties still frequently receive multiple offers, Yun said.

First-time buyers made gains in March

First-time buyers were responsible for 32% of sales in March, up from 26% in February and 28% from a year ago, according to the NAR report.

The resurgence of first-time buyers could be due to a recent influx of lower-priced homes for sale, says Realtor.com® Chief Economist Danielle Hale .

"Despite climbing sales and list prices, Realtor.com data show that sellers are approaching the housing market with more realistic expectations this spring even as we approach the week that Realtor.com has identified as the best time to sell a home," says Hale.

Cash sales also declined last month, perhaps giving first-time buyers a better shot at seeing their offer accepted. All-cash sales accounted for 28% of transactions in March, down from 33% in February. But these sales were up from 27% one year ago.

Investors, who frequently pay all-cash, made up a smaller share of buyers last month. Individual investors or second-home buyers purchased 15% of homes in March. That was down from 21% in February and 17% in March 2023.

Mortgage rates poised to remain higher for longer

Thomas Ryan , a property economist with Capital Economics, says that March's sales slump "didn’t come as a huge surprise" given that mortgage applications and pending home sales both fell in the early months of the year due to rising mortgage rates.

"The fall in existing home sales in March was triggered by mortgage rates climbing," Ryan said in a note.

Mortgage rates averaged 6.82% in March for 30-year fixed loans, according to Freddie Mac .

They rose to 7.1% for 30-year fixed loans in the week ending April 18 after hotter-than-expected inflation data for March tempered expectations of a Federal Reserve rate cut anytime soon.

"Prospective home buyers face a challenging—and confusing—housing market. Mortgage rates, which had been expected to fall in 2024, have inched up close to 7% and seem poised to remain higher for longer," said Bright MLS Chief Economist Lisa Sturtevant in a market commentary. "Inventory has started to increase, but the market is still competitive with sellers still getting multiple offers."

Sturtevant projected that "home sales activity could remain a bit downbeat this spring." However, she anticipates sales will likely pick up over the rest of the year.

"It is definitely a strange spring housing market ," she said. "It is a new normal, where market conditions are shifting and some rules are changing."

Keith Griffith is a journalist at Realtor.com. He covers the housing market and real estate trends.

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