Published on December 19, 2024 | 6 Minute read
Crystal
Walker
Content Writer
Real estate sales have always revolved around in person interactions, from house hunting and open houses, to handshakes and closing the deal. In recent years, Virtual Reality (VR) has become increasingly popular, with platforms like Meta or headsets like Oculus Rift, allowing agents and buyers to deliver experiences in the home buying process from anywhere in the world. Property tours are now more accessible than ever, but how is VR reshaping the way we buy and sell homes? Let’s take a look.
VR allows buyers to participate in an immersive, three dimensional experience when time and distance are a hurdle. Clients can walk through a home, exploring every corner, all without leaving the comfort of their couch. VR tours are available in various formats. While some companies are rolling out headset compatible experiences, other formats are currently most accessible to the general population. You may encounter 3D renderings of the property, interactive tours, or even virtual staging to allow you to see what the spaces will look like with different furniture or design elements. VR brings homes to life in a way photos and video cannot.
It’s truly fascinating to consider how far real estate technology has come over the decades. In the 90s, as the internet became more accessible, agents began to post static pictures on web pages.
As internet speeds improved and technology advanced, agents could now upload video tours, giving buyers a more dynamic view of homes. The 2000s brought us 360° cameras that led to “virtual tours”, letting clients click through different parts of the house and navigate the rooms at their own pace.
Around the mid 2010s, these cameras became more widely available to the general public and the immersive VR tour experiences we see today began to take shape thanks to advancements in headsets. The combination of camera technology and the likes of Oculus Rift, Microsoft, and Google enabled the modern Virtual Reality Tours of today.
One of the most exciting benefits of VR is its ability to bridge the distance between agents and buyers. There’s no need to drain your time and gas tank when you can coordinate with clients virtually. Prospective buyers can include family and friends in the process, ensuring everyone is on the same page. Real time discussions can happen instantly, with everyone able to state their likes and concerns, and ask all of their burning questions.
This collaborative approach, free from time and location constraints, helps buyers feel more confident through the inclusion of trusted advisors. Whether it's a long distance move or simply a matter of scheduling conflicts, VR offers a unique way for multiple people to participate in the home buying process. This technology eliminates the frustrations and delays that accompany in person tours and transforms them into a more flexible, efficient, and stress free experience.
What’s next for VR in real estate? As technology continues to evolve, we will see even more exciting features added to VR property tours. Virtual renovations, hyper realistic design experiences, and deeper integrations with AI to personalize the home buying experience. It’s only the beginning.
As participation increases, VR headsets could become more popular and transform how we buy and sell homes altogether. Imagine touring a property, negotiating with a seller, and signing a contract all within a virtual space. While that might sound a bit sci-fi, it’s not too far off. If you haven’t jumped on the VR bandwagon yet, it may be time to consider it. In a fast moving market, embracing technology isn’t just a trend, it’s a smart move that will prime your business for maximum efficiency and success.