From the outside, virtual reality (VR) might seem like a niche technology. However, it’s becoming increasingly clear that VR has applications for various industries—from gaming and entertainment to medical research, education, and real estate.
Virtual Reality is a Brave New World.
The scope of this new paradigm can be astounding. In fact, there are numerous opportunities for realtors to harness the power of virtual reality to benefit their prospective clients.
If you're an agent who is overlooking the potential benefits of VR, I encourage you to keep reading so we can dive deeper into the applications and tools needed to start using VR in the coming years.
Virtual Staging
Virtual staging is a way to show a property in high-resolution photos. A realtor can take 360-degree photos of the interior and exterior of a house, and then use software to turn them into an interactive virtual tour. This allows buyers to see the property from different angles, including inside closets, underneath beds, and behind appliances.
Virtual staging can be used for both commercial and residential properties. For example, if you want to buy an office building for your company but don't want to spend thousands of dollars setting up offices all over town until you find one that works best for your needs—virtual staging allows potential tenants to get a sense for their space without ever having to walk through it in person.
Virtual Reality Tours
Showing off a home for sale is one of the most important parts of a real estate agent's job. The process usually involves showing clients homes in person, but when you're selling a house that's located far away from where they are, it can be hard to get them to come along.
Virtual reality offers an excellent alternative: it allows people to see all of the homes on their list without leaving their own house.
Because of this, it can be a great option for people who do not have access to transportation or live far from the home they are considering buying.
Virtual Property Presentation
Virtual reality can give property buyers a more interactive experience. When you're trying to sell your home, the best way to do so is by giving potential buyers an immersive experience of what it's like inside. VR allows you to do just that.
With virtual reality, you're able to show the property in a way that is more realistic than photos and videos could ever be. You can make them feel like they're actually walking around your living room or kitchen rather than looking at 2D images on their computer screens or phones.
You can also use VR to show off the best features of your home. If you've got a beautiful view from one of your rooms, or an interesting architectural feature like arched windows or vaulted ceilings, VR is a great way to bring these elements to life and give viewers a sense of what they're missing by not being there in person.
Virtual Reality as a Training Tool
Virtual reality can provide an immersive experience for developing employee skills. VR training can be used to train employees on the job, such as how to use new equipment or safety procedures. It can also be used to train employees on new software and other important aspects of their job.
For example, a virtual reality training app could allow you to practice your sales pitch before meeting with clients in person. This would help you become more comfortable talking about your company’s products and services, which will make it easier for you when you meet with potential customers in person.
With this kind of platform, anyone who wants to learn how to do something, can —whether it's painting a wall or performing surgery or perfecting your sales pitch.
Real Estate market set to change
The real estate market is set to change forever as a result of the introduction of virtual reality. It is clear that VR can give buyers a more realistic idea of what it’ll be like to live in a house or condo before they actually move in—and this could change how people buy property altogether.
"We've put a lot of time and effort into creating a unique tool that will help people across the country purchase their dream home with ease and comfort," said Garcia. "We're excited to share our technology with other real estate firms and make the real estate process seamless for as many people as possible." - PR Newswire
Currently, most people rely on the professional photos and videos posted by sellers on their websites and real estate agents to determine whether or not they want to consider buying a property.
By introducing virtual reality into the home-buying process, consumers will be able to experience properties in ways they never have before.
This new level of realism is sure to change how people shop for homes and commercial property.