On Centris, a buyer scrolls through dozens of listings before opening just one. What makes them click, and then call, is the quality of what they see. HDR photos, drone footage, floor plans, 3D plans, videos, Matterport virtual tours: each medium has a specific role, a cost, and a point at which it truly pays off.
This guide is for real estate brokers and agents in Greater Montreal who want to know what to order, for which property, and at what price. It is based on over 1,000 recordings made by Panosphere 360 since 2015.
In short: which media for which need?
| Media | Main role | Starting price | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|
| HDR photo | First impressions of Centris | 250 $ (25 photos) | All registrations |
| Drone photo | Ground, roof, environment | 150 $ (5 photos) | Houses with land, cottages, waterfront |
| 2D Floor Plan | Understanding the layout of the rooms | 95 $ (added to the 3D tour) | Condos, plexes, multi-story houses |
| Real Estate Video | Emotion, social networks | 595 $ | Luxury properties, new developments |
| Matterport 3D virtual tour | 24/7 self-guided tour, 3D view, measurements | 395 $ (up to 1,500 sq ft) | Houses, duplexes, out-of-region buyers |
The prices listed above are those of Panosphere 360 at the time of publication of this guide. Details of each package are explained below.
1. HDR real estate photography: the foundation of any listing
The photo remains the first point of contact between the buyer and the property. It's what appears in Centris search results, on social media, and in your mailings. If it's dark or poorly framed, the rest of your marketing materials will never be seen.
The HDR technique (High Dynamic Range) combines several exposures of the same scene. Result: the room is well lit And The view through the window remains visible, instead of a large white rectangle. This is the most noticeable difference between a cell phone photo and a professional photo.
What a professional session adds:
- A wide-angle lens that shows volumes without distorting walls.
- Straight vertical lines, a consistent framing from one room to the next.
- A sky replaced when the weather doesn't cooperate.
- A complete alteration, delivered in one working day in most cases.
On-site, please allow 30 minutes to 1 hour. Our packages range from $250 $ (25 photos, small property) to $335 $ (45 photos, large property), plus taxes. Full details are available on our website. real estate photographer in Montreal.
2. Drone photography: what you can't see from the sidewalk
Some properties sell as much for their land as for their interior. A swimming pool, a large lot, access to the water, a park at the end of the street: seen from above, the buyer understands in a single image what a paragraph cannot describe.
Drones are particularly useful for houses on large lots, cottages, waterfront properties, and buildings where you want to showcase the roof or parking lot. Expect to pay 150 $ for 5 retouched aerial photos.
One important point to remember: around Montreal, a large portion of the airspace is controlled (Dorval and Saint-Hubert airports, among others). Always entrust your flight to a pilot certified by Transport Canada.
3. Floor plan and 3D plan: the number one question from buyers
«"Does my sofa fit in the living room?" "Is the master bedroom on the same floor as the children's rooms?" Photos don't answer these questions. A floor plan does.
The floor plan is produced from the Matterport 3D scan of the property. It is accurate to within 1 or 2 inches (%), delivered in 2 business days, with a PNG and SVG file per floor and a PDF that includes all floors. It is included with the 3D tour for 95 inches ($), covering all floors, up to 10,000 sq ft.
Many buyers are also looking for a "3D plan". The Matterport tour includes a model view (dollhouse) which shows the entire house in three dimensions, floor by floor. Combined with the 2D plan, it's the clearest tool for understanding a property remotely. See how we produce the 2D floor plan from 3D scan.
Note: This plan is a marketing tool. For the area stated in the property description or offer, refer to recognized measurement standards and official documents, such as the location certificate.
4. Real estate video: emotion and social media
Photography informs, video evokes emotion. Camera movements, lighting, and music convey an atmosphere that no series of photos can. It's also the format that circulates best on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Video is particularly effective for high-end properties, new developments, and listings where location is a key selling point. It also enhances your personal brand: a well-crafted video demonstrates to potential buyers the care you put into your marketing.
Our packages start at 595 $ for indoor and outdoor video with professional editing, and at 695 $ with 4K drone footage. Examples and details on our page professional real estate video.
5. Virtual tour for real estate agents: the Matterport 3D
The Matterport virtual tour is a complete 3D model of the property, captured with a LiDAR camera (we use the Matterport Pro3). The buyer can move freely through it, room by room, as if they were actually there. They can switch to a model view, take measurements, and even use a virtual reality headset.
For a broker, the advantages are tangible:
- Better qualified visits. The buyer who requests to view the property has already browsed it online. Less unnecessary travel, for you and your sellers.
- Remote buyers. People moving from another city, investors, families abroad: they can move forward without traveling.
- A self-guided tour open 24 hours a day. The link is added to your Centris registration and can be shared via email or text message.
- An argument for registering. Showing a 3D tour during your presentation to the seller sets you apart from other brokers.
The price depends on the surface area:
| Area | 360 Photos | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 1,500 sq ft | up to 50 | 395 $ |
| 1,501 to 2,500 sq ft | up to 75 | 495 $ |
| 2,501 to 3,500 sq ft | up to 100 | 595 $ |
| 3,501 to 4,500 sq ft | up to 100 | 695 $ |
| 4,501 to 5,500 sq ft | up to 150 | 795 $ |
| 5,501 to 6,500 sq ft | up to 150 | 895 $ |
| 6,501 to 7,500 sq ft | up to 150 | 995 $ |
| 7,501 to 8,500 sq ft | up to 200 | 1 095 $ |
| 8,501 to 9,000 sq ft | up to 200 | 1 195 $ |
Beyond 9,000 sq ft, add 100 $ per 1,000 sq ft increment. One year of Matterport hosting is included. Google options and pricing are in the complete virtual tour price list. To see examples and full functionality, visit our page. real estate virtual tour.
6. Free or do-it-yourself virtual tour: good idea?
There are mobile apps and consumer-grade 360 cameras that allow you to create your own virtual tour. Some platforms even offer a free plan. For rental properties or to test the concept, it can be a useful tool.
For a listing for sale, the calculation changes:
- Time. A recording takes 1 to 3 hours on location depending on the size of the area, not including training and retakes. That's time you're not spending with your clients.
- Quality. Without a LiDAR sensor, the assembly of parts is less precise and the measurements less reliable. There is also no usable floor plan.
- The limitations of free plans. They generally limit the number of online visits at the same time and the available functions.
- Your image. The buyer doesn't know who did the viewing, but they can see if it's blurry, dark, or poorly connected. The seller can too.
In short: DIY is suitable for small projects and trials. For a property where you want to get the best price, professional video recording quickly pays for itself.
Winning combinations according to property type
| Property | Recommended combo | For what |
|---|---|---|
| apartment | HDR photos + floor plan (+ 3D tour) | The buyer compares similar units: the layout makes the difference. |
| Single-family home | HDR photos + 3D tour + floor plan | The trio who answer most questions before the visit. |
| Plex or income property | 3D tour + floor plan of each unit + HDR photos | Investors analyze remotely, often before traveling. |
| Prestige, chalet, waterfront | HDR photos + drone + video + 3D tour | The land and surrounding environment are part of the price. |
| Commercial premises or office | 3D tour + floor plan | The prospective tenant approves the layout before visiting. |
For commercial real estate, our Matterport 3D virtual tour in Montreal It is useful to both brokers and property managers. A concrete example: 3D scan of an office space at 4200 Saint-Laurent.
Preparing for the session: the broker's list
- Combine everything into a single visit. Photos, 3D scan and drone all on the same day: only one disruption for your sales staff.
- Turn on all the lights and open the blinds, even in broad daylight.
- Clear the counters and put away personal items (family photos, mail, medication).
- Clear the entrance : cars, rubbish bins and toys out of frame.
- For 3D scanning : open interior doors, animals outside and no one moving around the rooms during recording.
- Plan the weather : 30 to 60 minutes for photos, 1 to 3 hours for a scan depending on the area.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a virtual tour cost for a property listing?
At Panosphere 360, a Matterport 3D tour starts at $395 $ for a property of 1,500 sq ft or less, with one year of accommodation included. The price then increases according to the size of the property.
Does a virtual tour replace photos?
No. Photos are still what the buyer sees first on Centris. The 3D tour comes later, when they want to know more. The two complement each other.
Is the floor plan accurate enough to indicate the area?
It is accurate to within 1 or 2 %, which is more than sufficient for marketing purposes. For an official area measurement, rely on recognized measurement standards and the property's legal documents.
How long does the session last?
Photos take 30 minutes to 1 hour, and a 3D scan takes 1 to 3 hours depending on the size of the area. When everything is done on the same day, your sales team is only disturbed once.
Which regions do you serve?
Montreal, Laval, the South Shore and the North Shore, no travel fees. Elsewhere in Quebec, fees apply depending on the distance.
Where to begin?
If you could only choose one medium, go for the HDR photos. If you can choose two, add the 3D tour with the floor plan: this combination answers the most questions even before the first visit.
Do you have an upcoming registration? Call us at 514-262-9248 Or book your session online.
