An event on virtual reality and property will be held next Wednesday (May 11) in London.

Virtual reality has been around since Michael Jackson first burst on to the scene.

The technology usually takes the form of goggles or glasses that allow you to see a 3D image or interactive video.

Often these images or videos are captured with 360 degree cameras, so users can turn their heads and see all the way around, as if they were some place else.

With the upcoming release of new virtual reality devices from Facebook, Sony and others, the property world has been asking whether viewings could finally be conducted remotely.

Hosted by SPD, a commercial Property Tech company, this event will centre around a panel debate.

The central topic will focus on the place of modern virtual reality technology and whether property professionals in particular can benefit.

Speakers include James Morris-Manuel of Virtual Walkthrough, Luke Levene of VuFrame and Hugo McDonaugh of Property Scape.

Virtual Walthrough provides estate agents with photos, floor plans and a virtual reality tour of a property that looks and feels like Google Streetview.

VuFrame produces ‘immersive brochures’, which while similar to Virtual Walkthrough are focuses just on the virtual reality experience that can be viewed either on your smartphone or via an in-store screen or goggles.

And PropertyScape offers a ‘one-stop shop’ for all an agent’s virtual reality needs, so that more imaginative agents can have a bespoke set up in their offices.

SPD managing director Michael Marciano said: “At the heart of PropTech is the desire to make processes more efficient.

“The introduction of virtual reality to the sector will mean that agents’ time will be better utilised, as fewer physical viewings will be required, whilst interested parties can make well-informed decisions about space earlier on in the process.”

Digital marketing expert James Dearsley, also attending as part of the panel debate, elaborates on the opportunity he sees: “Recently Goldman Sachs suggested the real estate sector will be one of the main beneficiaries of the soon to be $80billion industry surrounding augmented and virtual reality.

“It is of no surprise that we are seeing some of the big players enter the market. Just recently Sherry Fitzgerald, Ireland’s biggest estate agency chain, has rolled out a plan to install a Samsung Gear VR device in each of its 95 offices.”

Marciano added: “As the quality of VR improves, the ability to view a space from anywhere in the world will mean that agents can market stock, in an engaging manner, to a much wider audience.”

Whether virtual reality will finally take off is still up for debate, but events like this will certainly stoke the excitement around the prospect of the technology finally taking off.

The event will be held at the WeWork Spitalfields co-working space near Liverpool Street Station.

Tickets can be reserved here: http://myspd.co.uk/insights-6/