How to Use 3D Virtual Tours for New Build Rentals on AppFolio

Cloudpano
July 12, 2025
5 min read
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🏗️ How to Use 3D Virtual Tours for New Build Rentals on AppFolio

The rental market is competitive — and even more so when you're trying to fill brand-new construction units that haven’t been lived in yet. Tenants want to see what they’re signing up for, even if construction is still wrapping up. That’s why more property managers and developers are using 3D virtual tours with AppFolio to pre-lease units and showcase their new builds 📈.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to integrate 3D virtual tours into AppFolio listings, promote them to prospective tenants, and fill units before they're even finished. Let’s dive in. 🔍

🧱 Why Use 3D Virtual Tours for New Construction Rentals?

When your units are still under construction or just completed, traditional marketing like photos and brochures fall short. Renters want to “walk” the space — and with 3D virtual tours, they can 🚶‍♂️🏘️.

Here’s why 3D tours are especially effective for new builds:

  • 🎯 Market pre-leased units before move-in dates
  • 🛋️ Show furnished/staged models to spark imagination
  • 🌍 Attract remote tenants relocating or moving cities
  • ⏱️ Save time by reducing in-person showings

🔗 Related post: Why Virtual Tours Increase Lease Conversions in AppFolio

🔧 How to Add 3D Virtual Tours to AppFolio

Adding a 3D tour to your AppFolio property listing is surprisingly simple:

  1. 🛠️ Create your virtual tour using tools like Matterport, Kuula, or CloudPano
  2. 🔗 Copy the public tour link or embed iframe
  3. 💻 Log into AppFolio and go to your property listing
  4. ✍️ Paste the tour link into the description or media section
  5. ✅ Save changes and preview your listing

📌 Tip: Use a compelling CTA like “Take a 3D Tour” to boost clicks!

🔗 Step-by-step: AppFolio 3D Tour Upload Guide: How to Add Virtual Tours Step-by-Step

🧠 Smart Uses for 3D Tours in New Builds

Whether your build is complete or still being framed, there are multiple ways to use 3D tours to boost leasing efforts:

📦 Pre-Lease Vacant Units

Show virtual tours of model units while others are under construction.
🔗 Resource: Turn House Construction Projects into Sales with AppFolio Tours

🚧 Showcase Progress

Update the 3D tour monthly or at milestones to show construction progress.
🔗 Learn more: How to Showcase Virtual Tours on AppFolio Property Listings

🧳 Attract Remote Tenants

Virtual tours remove the barrier for tenants relocating from other cities or states.
🔗 Read: How to Use AppFolio with Virtual Tours to Attract More Renters (Without Chasing Leads)

📈 Real Results You Can Expect

Property managers using 3D virtual tours for new builds have seen:

  • 🚀 Up to 60% faster lease-ups
  • 📞 Fewer scheduling calls and tours
  • 💰 More qualified applicants
  • 🌎 Wider reach through online and social media

🔗 Proof: AppFolio Virtual Tours: A Game-Changer for Property Managers

💡 Pro Tips to Maximize Impact

Here’s how to make your virtual tours stand out in your AppFolio listings:

✅ Use staging software or AI to virtually furnish units
✅ Add hotspots or highlights for upgraded features
✅ Keep the description short and direct tenants to “Take a 3D Tour Now”
✅ Promote listings on social media with short preview clips

🔗 Deep Dive: How to Promote Your Virtual Tour Beyond AppFolio: A Marketing Power Guide

🔗 Internal Linking Strategy to Help Renters Explore More

Using contextual internal links helps both SEO and user experience. Here’s how to naturally include some top related blog posts:

📣 Promote Across Channels

Don’t just upload and forget! Promote your AppFolio virtual tour links via:

  • ✉️ Email blasts to tenant lists
  • 📱 Social media reels and stories
  • 🏷️ Rental listing aggregators
  • 📍 Google My Business updates
  • 🤝 Leasing agent handouts

🔗 Pro tip: AppFolio + Virtual Tours: Showcase Listings Like a Pro

✅ Final Thoughts: Pre-Lease Like a Pro

3D virtual tours are no longer a nice-to-have — they’re a must-have for marketing new build rentals. With AppFolio’s listing platform and the power of immersive tours, you can:

  • 🧲 Attract more renters
  • 🚫 Reduce wasted time on unqualified leads
  • 💼 Pre-fill units before construction is done
  • 🏆 Lease faster and smarter than the competition

Need a walkthrough to get started?

🔗 Try this guide: Beginner’s Tutorial: Adding Virtual Tours to AppFolio Listings

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