Camera creates virtual image of home

The realty sector has a new technology to help in showing potential buyers a home.

A virtual reality camera; the Matterpost Pro, has been purchased by RE/MAX Blue Chip Realty in the city.

“It spins and takes a 360 (degree) view,” explained Mark Zawerucha, adding the camera ultimately creates “a virtual reality look inside the home.”

The actual filming of a home can take 90-minues, or more, and longer still to upload it so that is accessible to potential buyers.

Once online it is possible “to take a virtual tour of the property from anywhere in the world,” said Zawerucha, adding viewers “see a dollhouse view” of the home on a room-by-room virtual walk through.

“It works along the same lines as Google street views, with the viewer going through the house instead of going through the streets.”

Zawerucha said the detail of the video is extremely good, to the point a paper left on a table could be read by enlarging the image. As a result the technology is best utilized on new homes, or at least those de-cluttered, vacant, or at least very well kept.

There is also an application which allows for the wearing of 3D glasses to enhance the virtual experience further.

The technology enhances an opportunity for buyers to get a very close look at a potential property. For example, in winter when getting out to look at a home might be something a person might hesitate to do because of the weather “they can sit at the computer and go through a home in virtual reality that’s almost as good as being there,” said Zawerucha.

The new technology is still being learned, said Zawerucha, noting only a few homes have been filmed to-date.

“The number is going to increase as people see the technology,” he said, adding they have already seen where a listing with a video option gets a lot of attention from potential buyers online.

“People are looking,” said Zawerucha.