Free offer to all agents during crisis - new Smart Viewing PropTech

Floorplan and photography supplier FocalAgent is making a free offer to every agent in the UK during the virus crisis - to create online virtual viewings using existing photography, and not just 360-degree imagery.

The company - now led by former Countrywide and Purplebricks senior manager Lee Wainwright - says its Smart Viewing technology enables agents to immediately show a prospective tenant or buyer a range of alternative properties.

“We are in unprecedented times; as an industry we must stand together, work together and adapt together. We want to help provide agents with business continuity solutions that enable them to trade safely and within government guidelines” explains Wainwright.

He describes Smart Viewing as an interactive digital platform that blends technology with great estate agency to create a relationship with a buyer which achieves two goals.

“Firstly, it increases the genuine interest of a potential tenant or buyer who has the opportunity to ask questions pertinent to them and their situation. Secondly, Smart Viewing reduces - in some cases could replace - the need for physical viewings” adds Wainwright.

He admits Smart Viewing virtual tours work best with 360 degree photography - but this is not possible for new listings, for example, because of current social distancing regulations. 

But Wainwright says FocalAgent has developed the capability to enable existing photography and floor plans to be used in the Smart Viewing platform. As a result, agents can book scheduled appointments for Online Virtual Viewings or agents can “go live” there and then with viewers to show them properties over the Smart Viewing platform. 

He says that so far property viewers have appreciated the agent’s local knowledge and expertise as presented through Smart Viewing, and claims the technology means agents can do more deals, with less cost while providing a better customer experience.

Wainwright says agents can register for free access to the concept here.