VIRTUAL LOCATION LOCATION
Now you can view a property and make an offer... without even visiting
THE way you can view a property is changing due to technology that enables buyers to ‘visit’ homes without even walking through the front door.
Traditionally, you would need to find an estate agent and book a viewing that suited both you and the seller.
Services such as Zoopla and Rightmove already help many buyers whittle down choice by allowing them to browse images online first. Now some estate agents are offering virtual reality home tours. The Mail on Sunday dons a headset to look around.
How the new technology works
VIRTUAL reality takes a user into a 3D world. It is based on the same technology used for decades in flight simulators, where you can pretend to fly an aeroplane.
Now, software companies and designers are taking photos or videos of homes on the market that are then turned into 3D immersive worlds. They can be entered via an app, a virtual reality headset or a website. You can then explore the property at 360-degree angles as if you were inside and view different areas by moving your head or clicking a button.
There are several providers that specialise in turning photos and videos into virtual reality – such as Vieweet and EyeSpy360. Headsets are made by companies such as Samsung and Google.
Many property experts predict such technology could become popular for those buying property at auction or for parents wanting to check out where their kids will be living if renting at university.
Viewing a property through virtual reality
THERE are two ways to use virtual reality in property viewings – either through an interactive photo or video that users can access on a website, or through a virtual reality headset.
If you have your own virtual reality headset you may be able to access these property viewings yourself, otherwise you would need to visit an estate agent branch.
Upmarket agent Foxtons is among the early adopters of this technology. It has partnered with technology company UI Centric to create virtual reality tours of Fulham Reach, a complex being built by developer St George in South-West London.
Foxtons has taken wide lens pictures of the marketing suite at the complex based on where buyers typically stand and look inside a property.
This has then been made into a virtual reality tour by UI Centric using an app designed for Samsung’s smartphones and headsets.
Buyers can make a virtual reality visit at Foxtons’ Islington branch. They get a Samsung headset that is placed over the eyes and puts the viewer within the photos of the development.
They can then stand still and use their head to look around the property and nod at different areas or click a button to move rooms.
Dan Rafferty, chief information officer for Foxtons, says: ‘While the need to visit a property will always remain strong, virtual reality can be the most convenient and cost-effec- tive way to start or narrow down a property search.
‘We are now looking to extend this service to all of our offices, featuring all of our properties. Customers will have the option to virtually view multiple properties over a coffee in one of our offices.’
Another London agent, Urban Spaces, is introducing virtual reality tours next month.
Director Simon Charnock says: ‘Virtual reality removes the barriers and complexity of viewing property by bringing the experience to our customers’ computers or devices. We believe virtual reality and 3D photography experiences will transform the way our industry interacts with customers.’
Rightmove is also experimenting with virtual reality videos and offers tours in-branch of WINDOW ON THE WORLD: Fulham Reach properties marketed by estate agent Martyn Gerrard in Whetstone and Finchley, North London.
Not just a London fad
NOTTINGHAM-based agent Walton & Allen has launched virtual reality viewings using provider Newton Media. It is now rolling out the scheme to all properties marketed in its three branches. Phil Williams, head of residential sales, says: ‘Virtual reality helps buyers compile a shortlist and it is good for sellers as they have people visit their property who are genuinely interested. ‘People lead busy lives so with virtual reality they can visit a range of properties in one go and create a shortlist of viewings.’ Williams says it is also good for renters wanting to view a range of properties – and overseas investors or parents buying or renting a flat for their children when they go to university.
He adds: ‘It won’t replace viewings as houses are bought on emotion and you need to visit a property to get that, but it will help whittle down the choice for buyers.’
He says no one has yet to make an offer based purely on a virtual reality viewing, but many have used the service to create a shortlist of preferred properties.
Andrew Nicholls, of EyeSpy360, says: ‘Virtual reality won’t replace people seeing a property. It is just an accessory and will be useful especially for international sales.’