Use of VR Real Estate – What Are the Use Cases?

There are two main use cases for VR real estate: virtual tours for clients and interior design VR. The first is designed primarily to attract clients, while the second focuses on creating the actual design of interior spaces. Both solutions address the challenge humans face in visualizing large, volumetric spaces without being physically present. Being “transported” into 360° or volumetric environments gives a much clearer understanding of the space, leading to more informed financial and design decisions.

Let’s start with VR real estate and virtual tours. How can they be created, and how can they be implemented into headsets for clients to use? There are several apps that make this possible. Let’s explore a few of them.

Matterport

Matterport is a leading platform that enables real estate agents to create high-quality 3D virtual tours of properties. To use Matterport, simply scan the property with a dedicated camera or a compatible smartphone, capturing every angle.

Next, upload the scans to the Matterport platform, which processes the images into an interactive 3D model. Once processed, you can generate a link to the virtual tour, which can be shared with potential buyers or embedded in real estate listings. This link can be accessed on Meta Quest headsets via the Meta Quest browser. After entering the URL, simply click on the “Enter VR” option to activate VR mode for that space.

Zillow 3D Home

Zillow 3D Home is a free mobile app designed for real estate professionals to create immersive virtual tours and interactive floor plans for property listings. The app allows users to capture 360-degree panoramas using an iPhone or compatible 360-degree camera, making it accessible for both agents and photographers.

Once the tour is created, it can be published on Zillow listings for free. To view the tour on a Quest headset, open the web browser, navigate to the Zillow website, and find a property listing with a 3D Home tour. On the property page, look for the option to view the 3D Home tour.

Virtual Staging

When it comes to Mixed Reality in architecture, one of the most significant applications is virtual staging. This allows digital furnishings and decorations to be placed in an existing home, whether fully in VR or through AR. It helps buyers visualize the potential of a space, fostering emotional connections that can influence purchasing decisions.

One app you can use for interior design VR is Planner5D on Apple Vision Pro (it also works on iOS, but you’ll have a much better experience in Augmented Reality). Planner5D includes a collaboration feature, allowing you to connect and work on projects with others.

Wayfair is another app for virtual staging on Apple Vision Pro. It lets users redesign their space with Wayfair products and purchase them directly from the retailer.

There are also similar apps on the Quest platform, such as ShapesXR and Akiro, which I will cover in the next section of this article. Another option is FigminXR, a sandbox Mixed Reality app with direct Sketchfab support. This allows you to bring any virtual object from Sketchfab into your space, giving you the ability to create virtual interior designs. However, you won’t be able to purchase the specific model you place in your space.

Camera Access in Mixed Reality could help noticeably with Virtual Staging, but it won’t happen in the near future.

Mixed Reality Architecture – Designing in VR and AR

Viewing real estate properties through virtual tours is one thing, but building them is another. To design architecture VR and AR, you need specialized software that not only offers a user-friendly experience but also includes collaboration features, allowing you to connect with colleagues and discuss the design in real-time.

Meta Quest for Business provides excellent solutions for this use case. It is a platform designed to integrate VR into enterprise applications, enhancing collaboration, training, and productivity. One of its main advantages is the ability to manage a fleet of Quest headsets directly from a laptop, streamlining setup and control.

Meta Quest for Business also supports architecture VR design apps like ShapesXR and Akiro. These apps are ideal for this use case, offering seamless cross-platform collaboration, real-time boolean operations, parametric volumes, and smooth workflow integration.