List New Build Rentals Better: Add 3D Tours to AppFolio Listings

Cloudpano
July 14, 2025
5 min read
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🏗️ List New Build Rentals Better: Add 3D Tours to AppFolio Listings

When it comes to leasing new build homes, standing out isn’t just helpful—it’s essential. With no past tenant reviews, staged photos, or word-of-mouth buzz, builders and property managers must rely on immersive visual content to help renters envision living there. That’s where 3D virtual tours + AppFolio become a powerful combo. 💥

In this post, we’ll show you how to list your new build rentals better using 3D tours inside AppFolio. Whether you're a house builder, lease-up property manager, or developer, these strategies will fill your units faster with higher-quality tenants. 🔑

🧱 Why New Builds Need Virtual Tours (More Than Ever)

Traditional listings with a few static photos won’t cut it anymore—especially for brand-new rental properties that are still under construction or have just been finished. 🧰

With a 3D tour, you can:

  • Let prospects "walk through" the space remotely 🧭
  • Overcome objections about layout or room size 💬
  • Pre-lease units before the final coat of paint dries 🎯

See Related: Using 3D Virtual Tours to Showcase New Construction Rentals on AppFolio

💡 The AppFolio Advantage for Builders

AppFolio isn’t just for property managers—it’s also a secret weapon for builders looking to scale leasing operations. It offers online applications, digital leases, and lead management—all in one place.

By adding 3D virtual tours into your AppFolio listings, you can:

  • ⏳ Reduce time-on-market
  • 🚫 Eliminate unnecessary showings
  • 📈 Drive more qualified inbound leads

📌 Explore More: How Home Builders Use AppFolio and Virtual Tours to Attract Buyers

🔗 How to Embed 3D Tours in AppFolio Listings

Whether you're using CloudPano, Matterport, or another tour platform, embedding your 3D tour into your AppFolio unit listing is simple.

Here’s the step-by-step:

  1. Upload your 3D tour to your preferred platform 🌐
  2. Copy the public share link or iFrame embed 🔗
  3. Go to your AppFolio property listing and paste the link into the media section or property description 📝
  4. Save, publish, and start promoting 🚀

📘 Read This: Seamless Virtual Tour Integration with AppFolio: A Complete Guide

🎥 Make 3D and AI Video Content Fast

Even if you don’t have a 3D camera, you can still create motion-based visual content to wow potential renters. Platforms like PhotoAIVideo.com allow you to upload still photos and turn them into AI-generated walkthrough videos—complete with motion, music, and voiceover.

This is perfect for:

  • Unfurnished new builds 🛏️
  • Marketing model homes 🏘️
  • Pre-leasing from renderings or photos 🖼️

🛠️ Check Out: How to Generate Real Estate Videos From Just Photos in Under 5 Minutes

📲 Capture Renters on the First Click

The first impression matters—and listings with 3D tours convert better across all platforms. Renters stay longer, click more, and inquire faster.

In fact, listings with virtual tours get 49% more engagement on average than those without. 🤯

Here’s how to structure your AppFolio listing:

  • Headline: Include “3D Tour Available” 📢
  • Description: Paste the tour link early ⏩
  • Media: Use thumbnail screenshots from the tour 🖼️

🎯 Boost Conversions: The Anatomy of a High-Converting Real Estate Video (with AI)

🏡 Pre-Lease New Builds With Confidence

Builders using 3D tours can begin marketing units long before they’re finished. Whether using renderings, model homes, or past builds with similar layouts, you can attract leads and start lease-ups early.

This strategy:

  • Keeps cash flowing faster 💸
  • Decreases your lease-up time 📉
  • Builds buzz before launch 🚧

💬 Also Read: 3D Virtual Tours for House Builders: Enhance Rental Listings on AppFolio

🔄 Automate the Process at Scale

Managing multiple properties? Use automation tools to keep everything consistent. Here's a simple workflow:

  1. Create 3D tour or AI video
  2. Auto-upload assets to Google Drive or Dropbox
  3. Use Zapier to sync with AppFolio listing creation
  4. Insert tour link automatically with templates

🧠 Upgrade With This Guide: The Weekly AI Video Content Plan (Template + Tools)

📊 Measure What Matters

Don’t just post and hope—track performance. AppFolio offers data that shows which listings perform best, how long they stay active, and what converts.

Monitor:

  • Views per listing 👁️
  • Clicks to your 3D tour or video links 🎥
  • Time to lease 🕒

📈 Want ROI stats? AI vs. Traditional Video Editing: Cost, Time, and ROI Breakdown

🧭 Final Thoughts: It’s Time to Stand Out

If you’re a home builder or lease-up manager, 3D virtual tours inside AppFolio should be a foundational part of your marketing plan. They give renters the context they need, showcase your work in the best light, and help you lease faster—without extra showings. 💪

This is the future of rental marketing for new construction—and now is the time to act.

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Property Marketing
Allows potential buyers to explore properties in detail from anywhere, enhancing the real estate marketing process.
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