What is a virtual open house and how does it differ from a live-streamed showing?

Both virtual open houses and live-streamed showings let remote buyers experience a property without visiting in person, but they differ significantly in format and level of real-time interaction.

Virtual Open Houses

• Pre-recorded or self-guided formats typically use 3D tour technology, letting viewers explore the property on their own schedule rather than at a fixed time.
• No real-time agent interaction is usually built in, though some platforms include a chat feature for questions during the viewing window.

Live-Streamed Showings

• Real-time video walkthroughs are conducted by an agent physically at the property, narrating and answering questions as they move through the home.
• Scheduled, one-time events require the viewer to be available at a specific time, unlike the anytime access a virtual open house offers.

Choosing between a virtual open house and a live-streamed showing often depends on whether buyers value scheduling flexibility or the ability to ask real-time questions during the tour.