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

London rents outperform property values

The latest research by London lettings and estate agent, Benham and Reeves, has revealed that rental growth has outperformed house price growth across 26 of London’s 32 boroughs since the start of the year, with rents continuing to climb despite weaker property price performance across much of the capital. Benham and Reeves analysed the average…
Read More →
Breaking News

Rental property availability falls

The number of rental properties available across England fell by 12.1% during the third quarter of 2026, according to new analysis by Dwelly, highlighting an increasingly competitive rental market in many parts of the country. Dwelly is one of the UK’s largest rental property management groups, with more than 15,000 properties under management. The firm’s…
Read More →
Breaking News

Average advertised rents surpass £1,400 for the first time

The average advertised rent of homes outside London has risen to a new record of £1,418 per calendar month, up 1.5% this quarter: Despite a new record rent, annual rental growth has returned to a more stable level of +2.4% Number of available rental homes nationally is 2% lower than a year ago, while renter…
Read More →
Breaking News

Barclays unlocks wider mortgage access for company directors

Limited company directors who meet the income threshold can now have their Profit After Tax (PAT) considered in their affordability assessment regardless of property value The change means that, for a wider group of limited company directors, Barclays will consider a fuller view of the applicant’s income The update is the latest in a series…
Read More →
Breaking News

Homebuyer demand fall in Q3

The latest sales demand data from eXp UK has revealed that homebuyer demand in England slipped by -1.6% in Q3 2026. The analysis shows that just five counties managed positive growth during the quarter, suggesting that buyers may be holding back, adopting a wait-and-see approach ahead of what promises to be a vital Autumn Budget –…
Read More →
Estate Agent Talk

Alterations can change a property’s rebuild cost

‘Don’t get caught short’ warning to homeowners from valuations experts – alterations can change a property’s rebuild cost Properties change over time. Homeowners may add an extension, upgrade a kitchen or bathroom, alter the layout, or even change how the building is used, but when do those changes mean it’s time for a new rebuild…
Read More →