Decide whether you are showing a specific unit or a model
A prospective renter needs to know what the tour represents. If it shows the actual available unit, label it accordingly and review it after repairs or changes. If it shows a model unit or another unit with a similar floor plan, state that clearly and describe differences in finishes, orientation, views, or amenities.
Do not give several units one ambiguous tour name. Use a building and unit reference that your team can recognize. Keep rent, availability, and application details in the system responsible for those facts, and check any copy placed in the tour against it.
Illustrative model-unit wording: This tour shows the furnished model for this floor-plan type. Available units may differ in finish, view, and furniture. Ask the property team about the specific unit before applying.
Create a capture list that answers renter questions
Walk the unit before capture and identify privacy-sensitive objects. Avoid showing resident documents, names, medicine labels, security codes, or personal collections. Use a vacant unit where practical, and arrange access and publication permission before photographing occupied space.
| Area | What the scene should explain | What needs a written fact |
|---|---|---|
| Entry and hall | How the front door connects to living spaces. | Which access areas are private or shared. |
| Living room | Room shape and relation to kitchen or dining. | Verified dimensions when supplied. |
| Kitchen | Storage, appliances, and working layout. | Which appliances are included with the unit. |
| Bedrooms | Doors, closets, and room relationships. | Verified room dimensions; staging does not prove furniture will fit. |
| Bathrooms and laundry | Location and whether facilities are inside the unit. | Included appliances and shared facilities. |
| Parking and amenities | The relevant permitted areas. | Assigned spaces, access restrictions, and current availability. |
Use the same production steps for each unit
- Record the unit and capture date Keep an internal record of the exact unit, current configuration, and responsible staff member.
- Prepare and capture Complete room preparation, capture full spherical still photos from stable positions, and check them before leaving.
- Transfer and export Save the full 360 files in the camera workflow and retain a backup with the unit record.
- Create the Houses360 tour Enter the correct property reference, upload scenes, name rooms, and arrange a logical route.
- Add navigation and layout Connect useful scenes with hotspots and add a separately measured floor plan when available.
- Review from a renter's phone Check every room, property detail, and inquiry route while signed out.
- Publish and distribute Use the final link on channels that support and permit it. Record where the link is used so the team can update it later.
Keep rental marketing and applications separate
Use the tour to explain the property and receive relevant questions. Route applications, screening documents, and deposits through the property manager's established process. Houses360's tour inquiry form is not a tenant screening or payment workflow.
Write descriptions about the property itself: layout, appliances, storage, and access. Do not invent suitability or eligibility criteria in a marketing guide. Your team should use its approved rental descriptions and application process consistently.
Review the tour at turnover and after repairs
Keep the original capture date and latest review date in your internal unit record. A review does not mean the photos were newly taken. Replace scenes when they no longer reflect the property rather than simply changing a date.
| Change | Review action | Publication action |
|---|---|---|
| Paint, flooring, or appliance replacement | Compare affected scenes with the current unit. | Recapture and replace outdated views. |
| Different unit becomes available | Confirm whether the tour shows that unit or a model. | Create a unit-specific tour or explicitly retain model labeling. |
| Amenity or access change | Check descriptions and shared-space scenes. | Update claims and remove unavailable areas. |
| Unit is no longer being marketed | Check links on property pages and printed materials. | Update destination pages and archive the tour when appropriate. |
| Staff handoff | Review files, credentials, and the publication record. | Assign responsibility for future checks and inquiries. |
Plan capacity around active properties
Count the number of tours you need live at the same time and the scenes required per unit. A reusable process does not mean every unit can share one generic tour. Check the current plan limits before preparing a portfolio.
Use actual renter questions to improve labels or add a missing viewpoint. If you evaluate results, track real inquiries and showing activity in your own process. Do not attribute a reduction in vacancies or a leasing increase to tours without evidence that supports that conclusion.
Common questions
Turn your 360 photos into a shareable property link.
Use Houses360 to upload scenes, organize rooms, preview the tour, and share it when the listing is ready.