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

Home and Living

Home longevity spas tipped to become the next must-have in prime property

Longevity expert has noticed a huge influx in home spas from investors Country and Townhouse reported that wellness is expected in luxury homes Ralph Montague discusses core shifts he’s seen over the past two years Once, cinema rooms, wine cellars and home gyms were considered luxury home features. Now, the next major trend in prime…
Read More
Breaking News

Nationwide House Price Index for April 2026 – Thoughts from the Industry

House prices increased by 0.4% between March 2026 and April 2026. This was a weaker rate of monthly growth compared to the previous month (0.9%). Annual growth sat at 3% in April 2026, with this annual rate of growth increasing from 2.2% versus March 2026. The average UK house price now stands at £278,889.  …
Read More
Breaking News

House price growth remained resilient in April

UK annual house price growth picked up to 3.0% in April, from 2.2% in March House prices were up 0.4% month on month Headlines Apr-26 Mar-26 Monthly Index* 554.8 552.7 Monthly Change* 0.4% 0.9% Annual Change 3.0% 2.2% Average Price (not seasonally adjusted) £278,880 £277,186 * Seasonally adjusted figure (note that monthly % changes are…
Read More
Breaking News

Homeowners shift mortgage strategy amid economic uncertainty

Middle East conflict prompts Brits to rethink housing plans 27 per cent of homeowners report overpaying on their mortgage to get ahead of potential future interest rate rises 20 per cent of those remortgaging are looking to lock in a new rate as soon as possible in case of future volatility Barclays Mortgage data shows…
Read More
Breaking News

Today is the day your rights change: New Renters’ Rights rules now in force for tenants across England

Today marks a major change for tenants across England as the first phase of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 comes into force, significantly strengthening rights and changing how renting works in practice. From today, the long-standing system of Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions ends, meaning tenants can no longer be removed without a specific legal reason.…
Read More
Home and Living

Mould Tops List of Bathroom Red Flags For Homebuyers

Mould, Space & Water Pressure: 3 Bathroom Deal-breakers Affecting House Sales This Spring   Almost 9 in 10 (88%) Brits say at least one bathroom issue would put them off making an offer on a house.   Mould (60%), lack of space (44%), and water pressure (37%) are the top three deal-breakers, with concern intensifying…
Read More