Will the Future of Homebuying and Selling Be Virtual?

Buyers continue to purchase homes without the ability to see them in-person, will this be the future of home showings? CNBC says nay. In the past, technology such as virtual walkthroughs and 3D mapping were used for select properties, now they’re the only way many can see the house they’re purchasing. Realtors have gotten creative too, choosing Facebook Live and TikTok for digital open houses. Something buyers cannot get from virtual options is the actual feel of a home, which is why in-person showings are so important to a potential buyer, according to CNBC.

Prospective buyers getting their first glimpse of potential homes through smartphone cameras connected by FaceTime and Zoom. 3-D modeling technology used to create digital walkthroughs that can be replayed at any time from nearly any angle, and can even fill an empty room with virtual furniture.

Shelter has always been a basic personal need, but coronavirus and the ensuing lockdowns have made it more critical than ever. Home is not just a haven from the pandemic, it’s now the office, gym, movie theater and cocktail lounge in one. For real estate, an industry dependent on how people feel about a potential home in-person, the pandemic and the ensuing need for social distancing, cleanliness, and minimal contact, has changed technology’s role from nice-to-have into a must-have.

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