The AVS Journal
Planning a Zillow Tour for an Occupied Listing
For an occupied listing, a Zillow tour needs a preparation plan that covers belongings, people, pets and access at the same time. Agree on the capture scope and a place for occupants to wait so the session does not become a room-by-room scramble.
Set a realistic preparation deadline
Give the owner a room list and complete cleaning before the appointment. Prioritize the main living areas, bedrooms and connecting routes included in the tour, while ensuring every captured room is ready. Move private belongings into an agreed excluded area. A tour is harder to prepare by pushing clutter just outside one camera angle.
Coordinate movement during the session
Choose one person to handle access questions and let the capture professional direct when spaces need to be clear. Arrange pets with their owner in a suitable location outside the active area. People crossing doorways or appearing in mirrors can disrupt the intended presentation even when they are not standing beside the camera.
Make exclusions and access explicit
Confirm locked rooms, tenant-controlled spaces, gates and any separate structures before booking. Do not promise entry that has not been arranged. If a room cannot be included, discuss how the omission affects the tour rather than discovering it during capture. Keep the photo and tour plans consistent if both services share the visit.
Example: a family working from home
An illustrative plan might place work equipment and private papers in one agreed excluded room, prepare the other spaces in advance and schedule occupants away from the active capture route. The plan should reflect the household's actual needs; it should not rely on moving a full workstation repeatedly between panoramic views.
Occupied-home coordination
- Share the room list and preparation deadline.
- Choose an excluded storage or waiting area.
- Assign one access contact and arrange pets.
- Confirm permissions and entry for every included space.
Frequently asked questions
Can the owners remain at home?
Discuss the arrangement with AVS. They may be able to remain outside the active capture area, but movement and reflections need coordination throughout the session.
Should the tour and photos happen together?
A combined visit can simplify preparation when available and appropriate. Confirm service scope, timing and access so one capture process does not disrupt the other.
Platform reference: Zillow’s official 3D Home overview.
