Virtual Reality is Not the Same as 360-Degree 2D Images

Let’s review the differences between a 360-degree 2D image versus virtual reality. A 360-degree video is a compilation of 2D images connected. A buyer consumes the 2D images that are put in front of them; they cannot take part in what is happening because they are limited to the photos provided. The buyers experience is always the same, as you can’t change the photo sequence, move to a different perspective (other than what is provided), or get a 3D spatial feel of the room.

Virtual Reality is an interactive experience. Buyers can walk around, explore the space and even change the space. Does your project have different finishes? The VR technology allows buyers to switch in and out finishes so they can see the difference.

In VR, buyers are also not limited to a predefined sequence as they can access every aspect and area of the property. A buyer’s decision to interact with a certain area will change their experience. Every buyer is unique; so, during the VR walk through, buyers can focus on what is important to them (i.e. spend more time in the kitchen, master bathroom, or admiring the views from the bedroom). And this is what makes VR technology so engaging and attractive to a buyer.

http://www.360homephoto.com/ Example of a 360 Degree 2D image Home Tour

Virtual Reality tour—envision the project before it is even completed

Why Virtual Reality Works For Real Estate

By embracing the VR transformations, a sales team or real estate professional can shorten the buying journey and help buyers and sellers navigate a purchase of a property while under construction. The main advantages to adopting VR in real estate include:

• Accelerates The Sales Process : While 2D renderings were a technology advancement in sales tools, many buyers have trouble visualizing the property until construction is complete. With VR technology, buyers can virtually “walk-through” the non-existent property, see the finishes, and understand the spacial layout for the property. Buyers don’t need to visualize the property as the technology displays the property as if it was built.

• Cost Effectiveness : VR will eliminate traditional marketing initiatives and provides a cost-effective solution. How many model properties were built for the sales team? What was that cost? Access to VR technology, which gives buyers a similar “walk-through” experience plus the ability to display all finish options, is a cost-effective solution. Alternatively there may not be a model home; the VR walk through would provide a cost-effective marketing solution while the property is under construction.

• Global Reach : Customers can virtually view properties from anywhere in the world, opening up the target market. Is your target market limited to the local audience or throughout the world? Provide access to the VR walk through and anyone can virtually view the property.

• Enhanced Customer Experience : Buyers have freedom to explore the property as they wish. Each buyer is unique and will focus on what is important to them. One buyer may focus on the kitchen while others may focus on the master bathroom, pool, library, media room, etc. Every VR walk through allows buyers to personalize their tour of the property.

• Customer Feedback : With every buyer VR walk-through, sales team members receive key insights into the buyers behavior and preferences, allowing them to improve future interactions with that buyer.

Seasonality in Real Estate

While you might not think the seasons of the year have an influence on the price you are paying or asking for your home, it can make a big difference – in some cases, as much as 10%.

Seasonality of Real Estate—What are the Key Factors?

1. Weather-Weather impacts the seasonality of real estate differently, depending on the climate your home is in. For example, in some popular ski resort towns, homes prices can skyrocket during the winter months, while winter impacts the market in other areas negatively. Understanding how the weather and its seasons impacts real estate value is an important consideration both for buying and selling.

 2. School Year- Studies have shown the busiest moving times of the year occur during the summer, with June being one of the busiest months and July 31 the single busiest moving day.  This data means that people are most likely to shop the housing market from the beginning of May through the summer months.

 3. Holidays- Many people do not want to move or uproot their family during the holidays, which essentially eliminates the period between November and January.  Many people do not want to add a move on top of all the extra obligations of the holiday season.  However, as a buyer, the holidays would be a good time to leverage a lower priced market combined with some holiday vacation days! 

What Does Seasonality Mean for Home Buyers? 

For a home buyer, it’s better to buy in an “off season.”   As a buyer in off season, you will have more negotiating room, less competition, and overall lower prices for the houses on the market during the off season. In addition, sellers may be more willing to give more concessions such as money for repairs or a longer closing period in order to firm up a contract on a house during the leaner selling months.

What Does Seasonality Mean for Home Sellers? 

If you are a seller, you want to obviously sell during those summer months, when the competition is fierce and the market is hot.   Multiple offers and bidding wars are your friend as a seller.  However, the downside is that when you are a seller, it usually means that you are also a buyer.   In an ideal world, sell in the spring/summer months to make the most profit on the home that you are selling. Then find a 4-6 month temporary living arrangement that would allow you to wait to buy until the winter or holiday months when seasonality and lower prices are typically on your side as a buyer.

I’m Thinking of Buying/Selling. What Are My Next Steps?

If you are working with a real estate agent, they should be able to provide you with the market metrics for different seasons in your area. By comparing different months and years, you’ll be able to identify where there are significant peaks and lows in your current market and determine when your areas ideal periods for both selling and buying. Interested in the Austin area? Contact me today 512-817-0855. I would be happy to provide you with market trends of any area in Austin and a seasonal analysis of the best time to buy or sell!