Technology: A new way to promote Real Estate

Technology is adding a new dimension to the way Real Estate can be promoted. It is bringing property, you intend to buy, virtually to place of your convenience so that you can see it, feel it without actually going to place where property is. If it is a property which is yet to be constructed, technology can make you visualize, how it will look in future when fully built.  I try to throw some light on some of these that will be important in coming years.

Some companies have already started using these. In the times to come these will become a must for everybody in Real Estate industry.

Helicopter Drones

Helicopter Drones have really taken off in the last few years. You can control them by GPS co-ordinates including longitude, latitude not to mention height from the ground. This opens the potential for repeat visits to the same area, without physically going there. Imagine monitoring progress of construction sitting in office, or being able to show 360 degree panoramic views from an Apartment which is yet to be built to people. The usage potential is endless.

It will be wonderful to film the location which is often difficult otherwise due to heavy and many times congested development around. This way you will be able to give the potential buyer an idea of how well located the property is. This will also be the case for international developments.

Google+ Marketing in Real Estate

I had long felt Google+ will be a useful marketing tool. Though less of technology and more a social platform, Google+ is growing at a tremendous rate.

The graphic below only goes to support the fact that it is now the world’s 2nd largest social network – ahead of both Twitter and LinkedIn. It is also said to be overtaking Facebook in terms of the number of likes and shares.

However, it isn’t just the footfall that is attractive here. There is also the relationship between Google+ and…….Google.

Then you come to Hangouts. Google+ has become well known for its ability to segment people’s followers – something almost unique to the platform – but also the ability to have video conferences – both private and public (streamed live through your own website, YouTube or even Facebook).

Hangouts can be on mobile and there are examples of Realtors in the USA using Hangouts to show properties & even presentations to clients. Buyer could be in a different city or even a different country but on Hangout can see what the Realtor is showing them. Even Registration of buyers could be done using Hangouts. Hangouts could give you a better idea for any applicant and let you know them.

Ronnie Bincer The Hangout Helper – puts it brilliantly with relation to Hangouts:

“Google Hangouts and Hangouts on Air (HOA) are a wonderful gift for all of us to use freely. They are a tool that encourages global meetings at the touch of a button and also give any person or business instant access to a Public or Private Broadcasting Network.

The ability to develop real relationships at light speed and clarify your communication efforts is unmatched. Learn to use this magical communication tool so that the technology disappears and soon you’ll wonder how you survived without it. Phone calls and Webinars where you are not seeing the person you are listening to will quickly seem like ‘olde’ technology.”

Google Glass and other wearable Devices

There is so much buzz out there at the moment about Google Glass. It is incredible. For those of you who are not aware about Google Glass there is a good introduction here but they are basically wearable “glasses” that allow you to take them along.

As Lucas Lechuga, the Realtor who uses Google Glass in his Real Estate offering says:

“I primarily use Glass to shoot video.  The best thing about Glass is that it is a hands-free device.  This is perfect for showing property because it allows one to open doors and drawers, point out details and features, and provides a first-person perspective that cannot be achieved with other modes for shooting video.  It also allows one to shoot video while driving, which is a great way to provide non-local buyers with a tour of various neighborhoods and points of interest.”

However, Google Glass isn’t the only wearable eye-wear on the market.  There are other devices, but definitely Google Glass is best as on date.

Augmented Reality and Real Estate

  

AR is already being used by some of the Real Estate Agents & developers. It is already being used to enhance sales and communicate a story to prospective buyers. AR can be used in almost all stages of a property’s construction and that is why it is so helpful for industry.

Dan Cui, their Vice President of Business Development says:

“Many possibilities exist for implementing Augmented Reality. Like immediate access to property data while dealing with potential clients is just one area to be exploited in a way that improves the Real Estate agent’s image in front of the customer.  A customer who believes you’re acting efficiently and in their best interest is a satisfied customer.  In the end, you’ll win their business over and over again”

Simply put Augmented Reality is all about Interactive Print. Add value to your printed material e.g. brochures and leaflets. Put in videos of the properties. There are some developers in USA & Europe who put their development updates in the augmented space e.g. have one page to videos that will change every 2 months with a new video of the development as it progresses.

Put slideshows of images onto printed material so that when you hold over a tablet or phone they can see additional imagery. Put interactive elements into the print e.g. surveys or twitter streams. Basically you are adding value to your literature.

One step ahead is Geo-location AR. As all tablets and phones have GPS sensors inside they can pinpoint your location. Some developers are using this to great effect by adding information about landmarks nearby to let the user have a greater level of knowledge.

Virtual Reality and Real Estate

Virtual Reality, perhaps the most innovative of all ideas discussed here. Imagine putting potential buyers actually “in” the apartment they may be buying. Allowing them to have a complete look and walk around. Imagine, allowing them to open wardrobes, open windows, turn the shower on and off – all the things you would do in reality. This is all possible. Technology exists now.