Virtual reality is a technology that’s gaining traction in the real estate marketplace.
The idea is visionary: allow homebuyers to experience a property in an immersive, realistic way with their mobile devices or virtual reality headsets. This could have big implications for the luxury market, in particular, where Realtors have to work hard to differentiate their properties and make them memorable to potential buyers (and there tends to be more marketing budget for tools like virtual reality).
A new Carrollton-based company called Adeo VR is launching in July with some truly cool technology with tons of applications for the luxury real estate market, but also useful as a marketing tool for any size property. Company co-founder Shawn Willis promises it will be “affordable for most agents, even though the target market for this product will likely be the luxury real estate market, because of the size of the homes.”
“This let’s people experience a space in a new way and it solves some real estate problems because it let’s buyers experience a home before they drive all over DFW,” Willis said. “The neat thing about the video is it gives people a way to view it on their smartphone or tablet without having to use a virtual reality headset.”
Buyers can experience virtual reality with these 360-degree videos, which can be viewed on Facebook or YouTube, by opening the video and moving their devices left, right, up, and down. Videos can also be viewed on a computer with Chrome or Firefox browsers (if you’re using any of these platforms, be sure to check out the video above!). They are also compatible with Google Cardboard and Samsung virtual reality gear.
“I think the Adeo VR technology is an amazing way to view the space of any home,” said David Maez, Broker and Co-Owner at VIVO Realty and consultant for Adeo VR. “You can use your mobile phone to view the home in virtual reality and it’s like you’re inside the home—this is a game changer and will be the standard for selling luxury property.”
Willis and his co-founder chose to focus on the real estate market because it seemed like a natural fit for the technology. The company will offer three packages based on levels of service. The most basic will include video of front and back yards, five rooms, music, and Facebook, YouTube, and side-load format. Additional features in higher packages include scriptwriting, a footer logo showing up on the floor, voice-over or agent-guided video, stereoscopic audio, intro graphic, and closing graphic.
“This is another marketing tool that real estate agents can use, and it’s especially useful for markets where people are buying from out of the country, whether it’s to be able to view a property from overseas or moving to Texas from California,” Willis said.
Maez says the potential for use with out-of-town clients is a big part of why he thinks this is a brilliant business concept.
“You can send a virtual reality video to someone in Hong Kong and they can actually feel like they’re getting a real tour of the property — it’s also a great way for the agent to meet their prospective client, without actually meeting them,” he said. “VIVO Realty is always abreast of new tech and this is something that our company will be integrating into our listings.”
Adeo VR plans to start working with Realtors this summer.
“Some of the feedback from agents and buyers have amazing,” Maez said. “This will absolutely wow your sellers and buyers, and is something VIVO intends to use on all of their luxury listings.”
