By: PR Cloud Realty
If you’ve been in the market for a new home recently, you’ve probably noticed that house hunting isn’t what it used to be. Gone are the days of relying solely on open houses and glossy brochures. Today, thanks to technology, you can tour a home without ever leaving your couch. And Melissa Horbelt, a seasoned real estate expert, is all in on these changes, seeing them as the next big leap in how we buy and sell homes.
Melissa has a knack for spotting trends before they hit the mainstream, and when it comes to digital tools in real estate, she’s ahead of the curve. “We absolutely love 3D tours and drone videos,” she says. And it’s easy to see why. These tools give potential buyers a way to experience a property like never before. A 3D tour lets you virtually walk through a home, getting a feel for the layout and space from anywhere in the world. It’s especially helpful for out-of-town buyers who can’t just pop over for a quick look.
But it’s not just about the interiors. Drone videos offer a bird’s-eye view of a property, showing everything from the house to the yard to the surrounding area. “Sometimes the drone shots can give more information than viewing in person,” Melissa points out. Imagine being able to see the whole neighborhood, the proximity to parks, schools, and more, all without leaving your living room. It’s a game-changer.
Of course, not everyone is a tech genius, and Melissa knows this. That’s why she’s focused on making these tools as user-friendly as possible. “We partner with experts who make viewing 3D tours as easy as clicking a button,” she explains. It’s about breaking down barriers and making sure everyone, no matter their tech skills, can benefit from these innovations.
The impact of these tools is already making waves. Take, for example, a recent client of Melissa’s who was on the hunt for a property in North Georgia. They didn’t have time to visit every listing in person, so they relied on 3D tours and drone footage to make their decision. The result? They secured their dream home without ever setting foot inside. “It made the process easy for me and the buyer,” Melissa says, highlighting just how much these tools can streamline the buying process.
But before you start thinking that this means the end of traditional house hunting, Melissa is quick to set the record straight. “I think they will continue to work hand in hand,” she says. Digital tools are fantastic for narrowing down options, but there’s something about physically walking through a space that can’t be replicated online. The smells, the light, the feel of the place—these are things that still matter to buyers, and they’re not going away anytime soon.
Looking ahead, Melissa sees these digital tools becoming even more embedded in the real estate process, but she’s confident they’ll never fully replace the need for a personal touch.
“With property ownership being one of the most stressful things a person can go through, I can’t imagine not needing a human to help with the transaction,” she says. There are just too many moving parts, too many opportunities for confusion or miscommunication. Having a trusted agent by your side is still invaluable.
For real estate professionals, the message is clear: adapt or risk falling behind. “The ones that do not adjust will fail,” Melissa says bluntly. But for those who embrace the change, the future is full of opportunities. New tools and innovations are making the buying and selling process more efficient, and those who can harness these tools effectively will thrive. AI, once a buzzword, is now a daily tool in Melissa’s office, helping to streamline operations and provide better service to clients.
In the end, the future of real estate is shaping up to be a blend of the digital and the traditional. Technology is making it easier to find and explore homes, but it’s not replacing the need for human expertise and judgment. For Melissa Horbelt and those like her, this is an exciting time—a chance to offer clients the best of both worlds.
Published By: Aize Perez
