Virtual Viewings - Strutt & Parker is first national agency to provide them for buyers

Strutt & Parker is offering free Virtual Viewings to 1,000 new clients, and says it's the first national agency to offer such a facility. 

Virtual Viewings allow prospective homebuyers and tenants to ‘look’ at properties where they are are in control of a virtual 360 degree view of the whole property with the ability to walk from room to room. If they wish, the viewers can also use a 3D headset.

“Virtual Viewings puts the needs of our clients, buyers and tenants first, in a world where so many people are time poor” says Guy Robinson, the firm’s head of estate agency. 

Strutt & Parker says it’s the first agency to offer virtual reality as part of a set marketing package. 

It uses Matterport cameras imported from the US to create the digital representations; multiple sensors scan each room’s spatial depth and distance to construct a 3D model where each nominated room can be walked through. 

Using the 3D ‘dolls house’ view, users are able to navigate through the home, gliding past each room, entering and exiting, going up and down stairs, and moving ‘outdoors’. 

This can be viewed on any digital device as well as through 3D headsets for a more immersive experience.

Simon Roberts, head of Strutt & Parker's Gerrards Cross office, has used the facility with clients and says: “A Virtual Viewing is produced just once at the outset and thus creating an online ‘viewing ready’ property 24/7, 365 days a year. 

“It means that those buyers who are not sure about booking a viewing in person, or simply just don’t have the time, can explore a home at their own convenience online, therefore being able to make a much more informed decision about what to do next. It also means less disruption for the seller, with the potential to filter out less committed viewings.”