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

AI in estate agency letting agency property
Estate Agent Talk

AI property search not yet mainstream

The latest research by GetAgent.co.uk has revealed that while artificial intelligence is increasingly being embraced across the property industry, the technology has yet to become a mainstream tool for buyers and sellers when it comes to searching for and marketing homes. GetAgent commissioned a survey* of UK estate agents to understand how widely AI-powered search…
Read More
Breaking News

70% of Britain’s housing market is in recovery with prices trending upwards

The latest research from Yopa reveals that 70% of the British housing market is now in recovery with prices trending upwards following the challenging conditions of the past two years. This is despite the broader national picture showing that average house prices have edged down over the last six months. Yopa analysed six months of…
Read More
Breaking News

Breaking Property News 12/3/26

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   ‘The actual work, making smart procurement decisions, protecting the owner’s budget was buried under a mountain of emails and calls’ Rihards Trops CEO of TenderPro   Every property manager knows the feeling. You need to find a contractor, get three comparable quotes, coordinate site visits,…
Read More
Breaking News

Renters’ Rights Act already driving surge in tenant complaints

“Renters’ Rights effect” drives unprecedented demand dispute resolution Industry redress scheme flooded with enquiries ahead of Act going live in May   THE IMPENDING implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act has already led to unprecedented demand for The Property Ombudsman’s services, as more tenants seek support to resolve disputes fairly and independently. In the four…
Read More
Breaking News

Rights Act: Key changes renters need to know — new rules start on 1 May 2026

The Renters’ Rights Act is a major overhaul of the rules that govern renting in England, the biggest in decades. Propertymark, the UK’s leading body for property professionals, wants renters to understand what’s coming and how it will affect them. The next wave of changes under the Act will take effect on 1 May 2026.…
Read More
Breaking News

What Would Make Me Stay: How Tenants Are Redefining What Home Really Means

68% of tenants say the single biggest factor that would make them stay in their rental home long term is the relationship with their landlord or agent, above rent levels, location, or the quality of the property itself. That is the headline finding from LRG’s Winter 2025/26 Lettings Report, and it points to something the…
Read More