Major estate agency to offer virtual reality viewings on all properties using glasses rather than headsets

JLL is the latest agency to embark on virtual reality viewings.

It has partnered with property marketing company Spec to provide pocket-sized clip-on glasses that attach to any mobile phone, providing a virtual reality (VR) viewing experience.

Spec uses 3D cameras to create millimetre accurate floor plans, professional photography, 360° and immersive VR experiences that let potential buyers view property on their smartphone wherever they are.

It will be available on all listings at no extra cost.

Additionally, JLL says there is no need to visit an agent’s office to try on an expensive VR headset as the VR frames are sent in the post.

Emma Deeny, associate director at JLL, said more than half of tenants in a new-build development moved in after just viewing the property virtually.

She said: “We need to recognise and respond to the changing needs of home-movers and investors, making the process as convenient as possible.

“Spec’s VR Clips make the house hunting process so much quicker and easier as people can view several properties in a short space of time and use this as a way of eliminating the properties they don’t want to see in real life.

“We have been trialling Spec for just over a year now with some great results – 54% of our tenant move-ins at Two Fifty One in Elephant and Castle did not physically view the property.

“We had the show apartments captured long before completion and tenants were happy to secure a property from the Spec footage of the properties.”

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15 Comments

  1. GDPRfullproofhero

    What a ridiculous waste of money! You can`t replace somebody physically viewing a property. Dear oh dear what is the industry coming to

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    1. levinyl91

      Price wise it is actually better than you think – you need to move with the times! Great IDEA!

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      1. PeeBee

        “Price wise it is actually better than you think…”
         
        “PRICE” has nothing whatsoever to do with it.

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  2. Blue

    I don’t wish to sound like a Luddite but…   Sure, I can see this being a benefit on Canary Wharf / off plan type scenarios, but, the wider picture and with more “normal” property is it not shooting yourself in the foot?  No need to view the property in person, no need even to call in our office.. really?

    My guess is that it will be popular, for a while, with those agents lacking and desperate for a usp.

    We used something similar(ish) a few years back and found it unpopular on residential property but worked well on holiday properties that we rent out where the buying decision was of less importance.

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    1. smile please

      Its a brilliant instruction winner,

      We have a couple of Matterport cameras, no other agent round here does. If we are demoing it on a val, blows the sellers away.

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  3. PeeBee

    “Additionally, JLL says there is no need to visit an agent’s office…”
     
    Oh.
     
    Dear.

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  4. PeeBee

    Oh, dear.

    In the article the writer states

    “Emma Deeny, associate director at JLL, said more than half of buyers in a new-build development moved in after just viewing the property virtually.”

    Further down the article, Ms Deeny is quoted as saying

    “…54% of our tenant move-ins at Two Fifty One in Elephant and Castle did not physically view the property.”

    Big difference, Mr Shoffman.

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    1. Marc Shoffman

      thanks. That has been amended now..

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  5. J1

    May I offer a view?

    I use VR on every house.

    Last month we had an asking price offer from a squaddie serving in Afghanistan – he provided ID and proof of funds to support his offer – just one example.

    VR has dramatically reduced the amount of time wasted on curiosity viewers and allows us to accompany more serious purchasers.  It is not unusual to receive offers prior to a viewing; and people seem to be more serious when they have had a pre-viewing.

    We still get traditional enquiries too, but the VR ones seem to be better quality.

    Just a view.  I hope it doesn’t catch on as it is great as an instruction winner.

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    1. PeeBee

      “VR has dramatically reduced the amount of time wasted on curiosity viewers…”

      You may have a point there, J1 – but I see your point and raise you with this.

      How many “time wasters” have you in past ‘sold’ to – or ended up acting for – on the simple strength of giving them some of your time?

      For the record – I’ve lost count.

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      1. J1

        I guess it’s what one calls a wasted viewing – a busy body then?

        As we accompany all but a few of our viewings; our level of client interaction is way up there and I agree we need to meet people to do the PR

         

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  6. surrey1

    Off plan makes sense. See nothing or see VR. See VR or see the actual property? Er…see the real thing I’d suggest.

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  7. kerryalvarez

    It will be available on all listings at no extra cost.

    https://run3az.com

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  8. stuartwolf

    Is this true? I think your director has spent a huge amount of money to do this

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  9. denniskemp

    The manner in which my auntie stated it was, potential purchasers will take a gander at the negatives and choose not to try and view the house, as opposed to taking a risk at review the house. There’s basically no ideal house for a purchaser, as there’s quite often advantages and disadvantages about everything.

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