A major regional estate agent has invested in a system that allows house buyers to take a virtual tour of properties via 3D goggles.

Arun Estates is to start using the Matterport system, which uses a camera to produce a stream of ultra-high-definition, three-dimensional photos, enabling house hunters to explore properties online.

Viewers can choose their own route through the property and zoom in on any features they want.

Using the appropriate app, the tours can be used through 3D goggles.

Arun Estates’ domestic energy assessors, who are already responsible for its photography, will be able to use Matterport to cover an average three-bed semi-detached property in about an hour.

Once the raw data is processed by Matterport, it will be ready for viewing online within 72 hours.

Arun Estates will charge from £80 plus VAT for the service.

The move follows a trial at Arun Estates’ Kent subsidiary Ward & Partners.

Group managing director David Lench said: “Matterport was the most expensive one out there, but it is far and away the best.

“Instead of just doing a single 360 in the middle of the room, these cameras do 360s every few feet, which are then all stitched together to produce an incredible walk-through without any distortion.”

However, Lench added that the technology isn’t for every home and that personal items such as family photos ought to be removed from view.

He said: “The definition is so high that they will show up every tiny detail – so they are really best suited to properties that are effectively in show-home condition.”