Agents that list properties with Zoopla will soon have access to free virtual viewing technology after the portal teamed up with FocalAgent to offer the service.
The new partnership, which enables agents to offer guided viewings of their listed properties to consumers, comes at a time when many parts of the country face harsher coronavirus restrictions.
The new service will initially be available to a limited number of agents during a pilot, with a view to allowing agents to conduct safe but effective virtual viewings for any of their properties listed on Zoopla, with consumers able to look around a property using the existing 2D photography or more immersive virtual viewings using 360 photography or tours.
There will also be access to tailored packages with professional photography and 360 tours to provide a more immersive virtual viewing experience.
During the pilot, eligible agents will be invited to sign up for free access to Smart Viewing, a platform that provides interactive, agent-led virtual viewings, in which the agent guides the applicant through the property with voice and webcam.
Agents will be able to select any one of their properties listed on Zoopla to view in real time, based on applicant requirements, but also switch between properties and do multiple viewings in one go to tailor viewings efficiently to applicant preferences.
The entry level offering, Focal.Free, will require the agent to use the existing photography supplied with the listing to drive the virtual viewing, or the option to create a DIY 360 tour experience from these using the Vieweet app, which is free to Zoopla agents.
Additionally, agents will be offered bolt on packages to upgrade their listings with virtual viewings including Focal.360, which includes a professional 360 tour, or Focal.Pro which in addition includes a full set of professional photography, video trailers, professional 360 tour and floor plans.
Andy Marshall, Zoopla’s chief commercial officer, commented: “At Zoopla, our focus is always on how we can innovate and provide additional value to our agent partners and consumers. Our new partnership with FocalAgent is testament to that commitment – not least because we are the first portal to offer agents the technology to offer free virtual viewings on all of their listings.
“By enjoying free access to the Smart Viewing platform, agents can provide homemovers with a best-in-class virtual viewing experience, and an alternative to physical viewings, which is crucial when the threat of Covid means that many homemovers and agents may be hesitant to tour a property in person. It was important to us that the technology offered agents the opportunity to ‘guide’ and tailor their tours – as it helps build a rapport with each consumer and to refine what they’re looking for.
“Given our commitment to make life easier for agents and consumers, we are excited to see the results of the pilot. Virtual viewing technology implemented internationally has proved to be a resounding success, and a means with which to confirm a prospective buyer’s interest before going to see the property in person. If that success translates to the initial pilot, we will be looking to expand this partnership with FocalAgent and offer these benefits to all Zoopla agents across the length and breadth of the UK.”
Given that the virtual viewings will be controlled by the agent, consumers should get the best possible experience which achieves two things, according to Lee Wainwright, CEO at FocalAgent.
He said: “Firstly, it increases the genuine interest of a potential tenant or buyer who has the opportunity to ask the questions pertinent to them and their situation. Secondly, Smart Viewing reduces [and in some cases can replace] the need for physical viewings.
“This platform has been tremendously successful for our partners both during and post lockdown. Innovation is extremely important to Zoopla and Focal. and this partnership is going to create real value for estate agents and consumers.”
Comments (12)
Whilst it’s good to see this happen, and I congratulate FocalAgent on the partnership, as a Zoopla client it’s disappointing to see a partnership of this rather than the platform opening up to an array of media content from multiple providers. We’ve done virtual tours at base for 3+ years now. We’re now creating editorial style videos for as many listings as possible but showcasing these on portals is nigh on impossible. Interestingly/frustratingly RM actually appears to be the portal making the greatest steps here with video now highlighted in the media carousel.
There are some agents creating some stunning content and some embracing slightly more informal video tours- all the portals need to pay attention to those and put that content ‘front and centre’
… couldn’t agree more. Video implementation on Zoopla is dreadful! Come on Zoopla, up your game!
Seriously??? This IS NOT an innovation from Zoopla. As far as I can see FocalAgent are a reseller of Matterport, so what is newsworthy about this report exactly? There are loads and loads of providers out there who offer this to agents. OK it is free for a year as they have done a deal, but that’s about it!
I know 3 agencies who tried this and it did not work properly nor provide any advantages over more well established products on the market.
Just find a ‘proper’ Matterport provider/photographer.
TBH – this is simply a screen sharing software, you might as well use google hangouts, Skype etc for free!
TBH done properly its a bit more than that, collating everything into a single place from multiple sources with cominations that are as numerous as agency brands with the challenges of multiple file formats is a headache.
Rather than the tech do do what’s possible with Zoom, Teams etc ( does anyone still use Skype) the implicati9on for the portals goes far beyond a bolt on to make a suddenly old way of working still relevant
Another innovative idea by Zoopla…. leading the way forward with technology
Where do we sign up !
Actually it isn’t a Zoopla ‘innovation’ Full screen display of high resolution photograph, 4k HD video, 3D walk-through and drone films in a single showcase that can be screen cast to a television has been available to all agents since March.
This is the duopoly and OTM catching up with innovation rather than them leading the way.
One of the things some agents will quickly realise is their CRM systems don’t support all the media they want to display. photographs are fine but try to get multiple external links such as Matterport and Vimeo and its just not possible in some systems.
And then there is the down-side and why the portals are suddenly after 8 years of complacency having to catch up; the innovation of having property ‘showcases’ breaks the aggregating property- portal model.
Perhaps now the innovation is being copied agents will begin to understand what is being offered to them
How can we sign up to be part of the pilot?