Octulus Rift, Google Cardboard or Samsung Gear VR? Is the future of property VR?

Octulus Rift, Google Cardboard or Samsung Gear VR? Is the future of property VR?

So, virtual reality isn’t exactly something new, but one thing is clear – VR is revolutionising the way we view properties and it does look rather exciting.

So what exactly does VR have to offer?

Could you imagine viewing a property that is hundreds of miles away from you or one that is yet to be fully constructed? Or how about having the capabilities to view ten houses in the same time it would take to travel and view one? These are some of the many benefits of VR for your agency. Virtual Reality offers viewers an insight into a property that simply cannot be shown by floor plans and photographs. Using Virtual Reality gives you a strong representation of a property in terms of the capacity of the house and its layout. Property marketing is undoubtedly enhanced with the use of Virtual Reality and we can expect to see more developments in the new year with Stats like these from VR Summit.

The Rise of VR

Virtual Reality has become one of the most exciting tool for property experts, and is expected to kickstart an era which will have technology at the forefront of everything. The thought of being able to collaborate the digital world to the physical world is no longer a far-fetched dream, it’s here and here to stay. Large brands are paying close attention to virtual reality, as numerous VR devices such as Octulus Rift, Samsung Gear VR and Google cardboard continue to make huge waves across several different industries. The potential of VR is huge and is likely to grow exponentially.

Why are we so interested in VR?

The media attention circling VR illustrates just how excited people are about VR, People are licking their lips at the prospect of using VR. The possibilities it brings combined with the time and money potentially saved is a very attractive proposition for the public. As technology continues to grow rapidly so does the demands of people who who want choice and accessibility. They want to be in control and have the ability to view properties when they want, wherever they may be. The thought of spending less and seeing more is an huge incentive for potential home-buyers and virtual reality provides this along with added engagement for house hunting.

What applications are we starting to see within the property industry?

There are many applications currently trending in the property industry, the one that seems to be making the biggest impression is Octulus Rift, priced around the £600 pound mark and owned by Facebook. A cheaper alternative would be Google Cardboard where you can hook your smartphone to a google cardboard to access virtual views for just under £20. Going back to a more flashier application, Samsung Gear VR can be purchased anywhere from £50-120, depending on the model.

Why should you use VR in your business?

Virtual Reality might have been seen as an speculative idea with not much purpose behind it, but that is no longer the case. More and more businesses are trying to find ways to formulate virtual reality into their strategy, with the hope of giving clients, customers and employees a better experience. VR completely immerses customers, it empowers viewers to see a product in action so they get a better feel before committing. Gone are the days where you would need to pay a manufacturer for a proposed design. Now you can just create a virtual model of your product and make changes before paying for production, saving a lot of time and money in the process.  

At Estate Apps, we are always ready to guide and advise people when it comes to digital related topics. Even though, we do not provide VR services ourselves, we would be happy to help get the word out about your agency and mention just how forward thinking you are. If you are unsure on what to do as agency or have any more queries about VR, do not hesitate to get in touch, we will be more than willing to help you stay ahead of the game!

By Alex Evans, Estate Apps.

 

Alex Evans

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

Breaking Property News 20/12/24

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   Why estate and letting agents must embrace innovative technology in 2025   As we step into 2025, the UK property market continues to shift, and estate agents face mounting pressure to meet the evolving expectations of buyers and sellers. The days when static images sufficed…
Read More
Breaking News

Breaking Property News 19/12/24

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   High street Auctions’ initiative launches to revive Britain’s town centres   This month the UK Government rolls out its highly anticipated ‘High Street Auctions’ scheme, a flagship measure of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023. This initiative grants local authorities the power to take…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

Moving Up In The World: Finding Your Dream Home

Finding your dream home is one of life’s most exciting and transformative experiences. Whether you’re looking to upsize, relocate, or finally purchase that ideal property you’ve always envisioned, the journey is both thrilling and filled with important decisions. As you embark on this path, it’s essential to plan carefully, consider your priorities, and approach the…
Read More
new build home fronts
Breaking News

These cities are the keenest to move house in 2025

Bournemouth is the keenest area in the UK to move home, with 38,132 average monthly searches for moving-related topics per 100,000 residents. Plymouth is second, with 35,198 average monthly searches for moving, and Birmingham is third, with 35,181. Derry is the least keen area to move house, with only 3,170 average monthly searches related to…
Read More
Love or Hate Rightmove
Breaking News

Number of rental enquiries still double pre-pandemic, as rents predicted to rise 3%

The average number of enquiries sent to agents about each available property they have to rent is still nearly double the level it was in 2019, despite improvements in the balance between supply and demand: Each available property receives an average of 11 enquiries, nearly double the 6 at this time in 2019 This is…
Read More
bank of england interest rate
Breaking News

Response to the Bank of England interest rates decision

Response to the Bank of England interest rates decision, thoughts from the Industry Rates were left unchanged at 4.75% MPC voted 6 to 3 in favour of holding rates flat, with three members preferring to cut rates by 0.25% to 4.5% In the near-term inflation is expected to “continue to rise slightly” The market was expecting rates to remain…
Read More