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

Rightmove logo
Breaking News

Rightmove’s weekly mortgage tracker 30/05/25

Average rates for 2-year and 5-year fixed-rate mortgages   Term Average rate Weekly change Yearly change 2-year fixed 4.64% +0.03% -0.78% 5-year fixed 4.61% +0.03% -0.45%   Lowest rates for 2-year and 5-year fixed-rate mortgages   Term Lowest rate Weekly change Yearly change 2-year fixed 3.82% +0.02% -0.93% 5-year fixed 3.88% +0.09% -0.55%   Average…
Read More
Home and Living

Carpet Cleaning Specials in Stanton: Save on Your Next Service

Sure, the carpeting in your Stanton home is inviting and adds warmth and comfort, but it can also store harmful dirt, allergens, and bacteria that can affect your family’s health. This makes regular carpet cleaning not only better for your health, but also your wallet. With Carpet Cleaning Stanton specials, you can save on the professional services…
Read More
Rightmove logo
Breaking News

Seven in ten branches now using Rightmove’s insights and training platform

New figures from Rightmove, the UK’s largest property platform, show that seven in ten estate and letting agency branches are making use of its insights and training platform, the Rightmove Hub. This is up from 56% of branches back in 2023. The Hub, first launched ten years ago and recently revamped, has expanded in response…
Read More
Letting Agent Talk

From Fixer-Upper to Profitable Asset: Strategic Renovations for Landlords

Did you buy a fixer-upper? Or maybe you inherited one. Either way, you’re standing in a place with peeling linoleum, a questionable smell, and wallpaper that could file for social security. The big question: Do you patch things up, go full HGTV, or just torch it for the insurance (don’t do that)? First, take a…
Read More
Breaking News

Household Costs Indices for UK household groups: January to March 2025

Household Costs Indices, 12-month growth rates, expenditure shares and contributions for UK household groups and all-households. These are official statistics in development. Main points Overall UK household costs, as measured by the Household Costs Index (HCI), rose by 2.6% in the year to March 2025; this is a fall from 2.9% in the year to…
Read More
Surge in country and seaside property values
Breaking News

Why Rural House Prices Are Surging Faster Than Cities

New analysis from Open Property Group reveals that rural England is facing an affordability crunch, as house prices in the countryside outpace urban growth, despite lower average wages and higher living costs in remote areas. These shifting dynamics are challenging the long-standing assumption that rural life offers a more affordable and sustainable alternative to the…
Read More