Virtual reality estate tours: The age of immersive virtual house tours

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  Quantumrun Foresight
• August 3, 2022

Insight summary

Virtual reality (VR) is reshaping the real estate industry by providing remote, immersive property tours, offering a convenient and realistic way for buyers to view properties. This technology is cost-effective compared to traditional property showcasing, significantly reducing financial and environmental costs. However, while VR enhances remote property evaluation, it may alter the role of real estate agents and impact the emotional connection buyers have with physical property visits.

Virtual reality estate tour context

While the COVID-19 pandemic exposed more people than ever to remote work possibilities, the real estate industry explored similar opportunities to adapt its sales approaches to remote buyers. In particular, architects and property developers have used virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) to create online and immersive property simulations for potential clients to explore.

Virtual reality is an interactive experience typically using a head-mounted device (HMD) that allows users to view a simulated digital environment. (Increasingly, these HMDs are coupled with peripheral devices such as smart gloves and suits that offer users a multisensory VR experience.) In the context of real estate, VR estate tours can be engineered to be just as engaging as real-life visits, while being much more convenient. Virtual reality can also give buyers a more realistic view of properties before they are built—this application can change how people buy and sell properties, as well as how architects and interior designers work. 

According to UK-based property consultant Strutt & Parker, weekly 3D tours increased by 83 percent during the pandemic as individuals became more interested in real estate, some realizing they could work from home full-time. Virtual tours have encouraged clients to spend considerably more time and money on the property they are considering. Such online appointments reduce commuting time, are less stressful, and allow potential buyers to pick which details are essential and which aren't. In addition, people have become increasingly comfortable with digital interactions in recent years, transitioning VR estate tours into business as usual.

Disruptive impact

VR technology, as utilized by Stambol Studios in Vancouver, offers a transformative approach to real estate marketing and property visualization. This technology enables potential buyers to experience a property remotely, which is particularly valuable in a challenging economy where in-person visits might not be feasible. The realistic simulations provided by VR can be accessed through mobile devices or computers, offering a convenient and immersive way for buyers to evaluate properties. 

The cost-effectiveness of VR in real estate is noteworthy, particularly when compared to traditional methods of property showcasing. Building physical models or sample suites for commercial or residential properties involves significant financial and environmental costs. For example, a sample condo suite might cost upwards of USD $250,000, whereas a VR simulation of a similar space could be produced for around USD $50,000. This substantial reduction in costs not only benefits property developers and architects but also reduces environmental impact by minimizing the use of physical materials. 

However, it's important to recognize the limitations and potential impacts of VR technology in real estate. While VR offers convenience and cost savings, studies suggest that real-life property visits might enhance the buyer's emotional connection to the space, potentially increasing their likelihood of making a purchase. Additionally, as VR becomes more prevalent in property visualization, it may change the traditional role of real estate agents, shifting their focus from property showing to other aspects of the buying and selling process. 

Implications of virtual reality estate tours

Wider implications of VR estate tours may include: 

• VR/AR tech firms expanding from simulations of homes to other properties like coffee shops and commercial centers.


• The increasing use of cryptocurrency to purchase VR estates.


• The use of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) to create digital certificates of ownership of VR-simulated environments


• Architects and interior designers being able to create elaborate concepts that might not be possible in real life but will effectively showcase their skills and capabilities.


• Potential homebuyers preferring to view VR estates, resulting in lower carbon emissions caused by less commuting and developers building showcase rooms.


• New legal precedents or legislation needing to be established that ensures buyers are protected in the case where a real-life home does not match the VR renderings presented to them at the time a purchase or investment was made in a given property.

Questions to consider

• How else can VR affect how people will select and purchase their homes?


• Have you used 3D or VR-enabled mediums to explore potential real estate purchases? How would you describe your experience?