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

Cloudpano
July 12, 2025
5 min read
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🏗️ Using 3D Virtual Tours to Showcase New Construction Rentals on AppFolio

New construction rentals are in high demand — but marketing a property that doesn’t yet exist physically can be tricky. That’s where the power of 3D virtual tours combined with AppFolio comes into play. 🧠✨

This modern marketing approach allows builders and property managers to pre-lease faster, attract remote tenants, and showcase their homes at every construction phase — even before completion. Let's dive into how to effectively use 3D virtual tours to market new rentals through AppFolio like a pro. 🎯

🚧 Why 3D Tours Are a Game-Changer for New Builds

Traditional listings with static photos or floor plans fall short when you're leasing homes that are new or still under construction. Here’s why 3D tours are essential:

  • 🎥 Give a complete walkthrough experience
  • 🕹️ Help tenants visualize layout and flow
  • 📱 Viewable from any device, any time
  • 🏘️ Reduce time-consuming in-person showings

📌 Related: AppFolio Virtual Tours: A Game-Changer for House Building Listings

🔧 How to Add a 3D Tour in AppFolio

Embedding or linking a virtual tour inside your AppFolio property listing is easier than you think:

  1. 🛠️ Create your 3D tour using Matterport, CloudPano, or Kuula
  2. 🔗 Copy the tour link or iframe embed code
  3. 📝 Open the listing editor in AppFolio
  4. 📋 Paste the tour link into the property description or media field
  5. ✅ Save and publish — you're done!

📘 Step-by-step tutorial: How to Embed 360 Virtual Tours in AppFolio Listings

Want a video walkthrough? Check out: Virtual Tour Setup in AppFolio: A Complete Tutorial

📍 When and Where to Use Virtual Tours for New Builds

1. 🚧 Pre-Completion Marketing

Use render-based tours or staged model homes to start collecting tenant inquiries before construction wraps.

🔗 Learn how: Marketing New Home Builds with Virtual Tours on AppFolio

2. 🏘️ Showcase Model Units

One fully staged tour can represent multiple floor plans or similar homes in a development.

🔗 Explore: Showcase Your House Builds Better with AppFolio and Virtual Tours

3. 🌎 Attract Out-of-Town Tenants

Remote renters can confidently sign without visiting in person.

🔗 Strategy: How to Use AppFolio with Virtual Tours to Attract More Renters (Without Chasing Leads)

📈 What Results Can You Expect?

Builders who embed 3D tours in AppFolio listings often report:

  • ⏱️ 50% faster lease-up times
  • 📲 Higher click-to-inquiry rates
  • 🧭 Better lead quality
  • 💸 Pre-leasing before units are move-in ready

🔗 Proof point: Boost Your House Building Listings with AppFolio 360° Tours

🧩 Enhance Your AppFolio Listings with These Tour Features

✔️ Add hotspots to highlight finishes, appliances, or key upgrades
✔️ Use preview GIFs or thumbnails from your tour in the gallery
✔️ Place the virtual tour link at the top of your property description
✔️ Include a call to action like “👀 Take a 3D Tour Now!”

🔗 Learn more: Step-by-Step: How to Embed a 3D Tour in Your AppFolio Property Listing

🔗 Internal Links to Keep Visitors Engaged

Use the following internal blog posts to deepen your visitors’ journey and improve your site’s SEO:

🧠 Tips for Smarter Marketing

🔹 Use Virtual Staging
Virtual staging can turn an empty build into a show-ready model within your 3D tour.

🔹 Share on Socials + Email
Push the tour to Facebook, Instagram, and email campaigns to boost exposure.

🔹 Highlight Pre-Lease Opportunities
Call out availability dates within the tour description to encourage early commitments.

🔗 Helpful read: How to Promote Your Virtual Tour Beyond AppFolio

✅ Final Thoughts: The New Standard for New Builds

Using 3D virtual tours in AppFolio isn’t just a tech trend — it’s the future of rental marketing 🧭💡. Especially for new construction homes, this combo offers unmatched benefits:

  • 🔑 Easier leasing before completion
  • 🌍 Greater reach with remote-friendly tools
  • 📲 More efficient showings
  • 📉 Lower vacancy rates

🔗 Ready to get started? Explore: AppFolio Virtual Tour Integration: Everything You Need to Know

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Property Marketing
Allows potential buyers to explore properties in detail from anywhere, enhancing the real estate marketing process.
Automotive Spins
Create an interactive virtual showroom and engage affluent digital buyers with live 360º video calls, all through the CloudPano mobile app for a complete automotive sales solution.
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Create 2D and 3D floor plans with measurements in 4 minutes or less, all from your phone. Download the Floor Plan Scanner app and get your first scan free.

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