By: Cloud Realty
Buying a home used to be an experience you could feel in your bones. You’d walk through the front door, run your hand along the banister, peek into the kitchen, and imagine your life unfolding in each room. But today, the process of finding that perfect home has taken a sharp digital turn. No longer do you need to step foot inside a house to get a sense of it. Instead, you can fly over it with a drone or wander through its rooms via a 3D tour—all from your phone or laptop. Few people know this better than Zach Kirkpatrick, a real estate agent who has fully embraced this digital transformation and is changing the game in doing so.
Kirkpatrick isn’t shy about the impact of these tools. “Digital house hunting is the first step now,” he says, pointing to the way buyers have adapted to the convenience of browsing homes online before ever calling an agent. In a world where time is money and buyers have precious little of either, Kirkpatrick’s use of cutting-edge technology to market homes has made it easier than ever for prospective buyers to explore a property without leaving their couch.
His approach blends MLS listings, 3D tours, drone videos, and social media campaigns into a powerful marketing machine that captures a property from every angle. “We name each property and highlight its unique features,” he explains, “but it’s the visual storytelling that makes the biggest impact.” With high-end videography and agent-led walkthroughs, Kirkpatrick not only shows off the home, but the lifestyle it offers—whether it’s the stunning views from a rooftop deck or the charming backyard shaded by ancient oak trees.
Drone videos, in particular, have shown to be quite useful. Aerial shots give buyers a bird’s-eye view of the property’s place in the neighborhood—whether it’s nestled on a quiet cul-de-sac, near bustling shops, or just a short walk from the local park. And in a market where every home needs to stand out, this kind of visual context can make all the difference. “It’s not just about the house,” Kirkpatrick says. “It’s about helping buyers imagine the life they could have there.”
But let’s be clear: Kirkpatrick doesn’t see this technology replacing the need for traditional, in-person home tours. “There’s no substitute for walking through a home and getting a feel for it,” he insists. “Touching it, standing in space—that’s still key.” In his view, digital tools are the gateway. They draw in buyers by offering a polished first impression, but the real decision comes when they step inside.
One area where Kirkpatrick’s tech-forward approach shines is social media. In today’s world, where people spend hours a day scrolling through their phones, Kirkpatrick has figured out how to stop them in their tracks. “We make videos that are catchy, memorable, and get buyers excited,” he says. In just a few seconds, viewers can see a home’s features, from its open-concept living room to the gourmet kitchen, all while getting a sense of the surrounding neighborhood. This strategy has paid off—several of his recent sales originated from buyers who saw these videos on platforms like Instagram or Facebook.
Looking forward, Kirkpatrick sees this trend only deepening. With more inventory hitting the market and buyers having less time to sift through countless listings, digital tools are becoming a necessity rather than a luxury. “I believe digital marketing is becoming increasingly essential,” he says. “Sellers who aren’t incorporating these tools may find themselves at a disadvantage.” For Kirkpatrick, the future of house hunting will revolve around creating highly produced, visually stunning content that not only sells a home but tells its story.
Yet, for all his enthusiasm about technology, Kirkpatrick remains grounded in the belief that it’s not enough to rely on videos and virtual tours alone. In a competitive market, realtors must wear many hats—marketer, project manager, sales strategist—and those who can’t juggle these roles effectively won’t survive. “This digital revolution is raising the standards for what it means to be a realtor,” he says. “It’s not just about showing homes anymore. It’s about managing an entire process from start to finish and doing it at a high level.”
And that’s perhaps the exciting part of this new era of real estate: It’s pushing everyone to be better. Buyers are smarter, savvier, and more informed, and sellers need agents who can rise to meet that demand. For Kirkpatrick, this shift is an opportunity to showcase not only the homes he sells but also the depth of his own expertise. As technology continues to evolve, the premier realtors will be those who combine the old-school art of personal connection with the new-world power of digital tools.
In a market that’s moving faster than ever, Kirkpatrick’s approach is a model for how real estate professionals can adapt—and thrive. “The bar’s been raised,” he says, “but that’s a good thing.” Because at the end of the day, no matter how many bells and whistles technology offers, buying a home is still one of the personal decisions a person can make. At that moment, the finest realtors are the ones who can make the digital feel human.
Published by: Martin De Juan
