Category: Real Estate

Why Real Estate Agents Should Invest in Smart Glasses for Property Tours and Management

In a fast-paced and ever-changing industry like real estate, agents and professionals must invest in digital transformation to stay ahead of their peers. Among the cutting-edge technologies that enable real estate agents to expand their reach and engagement is 3D scanning technology.

A previous post entitled ‘Why Real Estate Agents Should Invest in High-Quality 3D Scanning’ explains that 3D scans leverage the key trend of providing virtual reality tours, which enable agents to create digital twins of properties and save time by letting buyers explore online. In addition to saving time, money, and other logistical resources on in-person property tours, 3D scans through Matterport technology also drive buyer interest and click-through rates through their immersive, realistic, and professional-looking visuals.

In addition to 3D scanning technology, smart glasses are another tool worth looking into to accelerate real estate digital transformation. By integrating wireless connectivity, visual displays, and other advanced features into eyewear, smart glasses offer countless applications that can be integrated into real estate photography, tours, and overall property management. Continue reading to learn more about smart glasses’ capabilities and how these can be applied in the real estate industry to maximize efficiency, reach, and engagement.

A brief look at smart glasses

As previously mentioned, smart glasses deliver advanced functionalities beyond traditional eyewear through features like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi support, wearable digital displays, and built-in cameras, speakers, and microphones. Google was among the first manufacturers of smart glasses, as the tech giant brought the concept into reality through the Google Glass Explorer Edition in 2013.

Since then, other tech companies like Apple, Meta, and Amazon have released their own innovative takes on smart eyewear. On top of wireless connectivity and multimedia support, recent models are packed with more advanced features like augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) and artificial intelligence (AI), which are also increasingly becoming common in the real estate industry. In the next section, we outline how real estate professionals can utilize these functionalities to enhance the experience for agents, homebuyers, and other relevant stakeholders.

Benefits and use cases of smart glasses in real estate

Offer virtual property tours for efficiency

In the previously linked post, 3D scanning technology was identified as an effective tool for bringing real estate properties into the digital realm and allowing homebuyers to tour them virtually. Likewise, next-generation smart glasses can scan and display digital twins of properties through extended reality (XR) support, as demonstrated by Android XR, which is Google’s XR software for smart glasses.

Its AR capabilities can overlay interactive virtual objects like furniture and decor in the real world, while its VR features can conduct virtual walkthroughs of properties to save costs on in-person viewings. As such, real estate agents can invite prospective homebuyers to try on smart glasses and tour as many properties as they want without having to physically travel from one location to another.

Engage clients with immersive property viewings

Aside from offering virtual property tours, real estate agents can also invite their clients to remote property viewings, which entail going to the property on their behalf and guiding them in real time through video conferencing technology. In this case, the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, included in OPSM’s online Ray-Ban sunglasses selection, enhance the immersive experience by letting agents utilize its ultra-wide 12MP camera for high-quality panoramic videos with a first-person point of view.

The tech-enabled eyewear is also equipped with a five-mic audio system to help agents take calls and communicate with their clients clearly during property viewings. The online retailer offers the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses in lightweight frame styles like the signature Wayfarer for convenient and hands-free communication via audio and video calls and live streaming, ultimately boosting client engagement even when tours are done remotely.

Improve accessibility for clients with disabilities

Real estate agents must also prioritize the accessibility of their tours, especially for clients with disabilities who need additional assistance in navigating properties and accessing information about them. While virtual property tours already cater to the needs of clients with mobility issues that may prevent them from visiting properties remotely, smart glasses can also be an assistive tool for clients who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Case in point, the XanderGlasses from the Massachusetts-based startup Xander displays real-time captions on the glasses to allow deaf clients to hear what the agent is saying about the property during live tours and showcases. The speech-to-text technology is also built into the glasses and does not require Wi-Fi, thus being effective even in properties where internet connection may be unreliable or inconsistent.

Enable smart home integration for hands-free property management

Lastly, real estate professionals can utilize smart glasses to manage properties more efficiently, especially those with smart home systems for controlling and monitoring lighting, heating, energy consumption, and security. Amazon’s AI assistant Alexa can be integrated into smart homes for better automation, and the company has recently added this feature to its next-generation Echo Frames smart glasses. As such, property managers can use the Alexa-powered Echo Frames to control connected devices to the smart home system, such as home appliances, lighting, security cameras, outlets, and plugs.

Overall, real estate professionals must first evaluate which aspects of their property viewings and overall management can be improved upon to determine which exact features and smart glasses models can be incorporated into their marketing, customer service, and operations. Continue reading HD Estate’s blog posts for more information on real estate photography, videos, virtual tours, and more.

February 3, 2025
Most Important Reasons to Include 3D Virtual Tours in your 2021 Marketing Plan
2021 is the best year to add new technologies to your marketing campaign as more people depend on digital channels for their daily function. You can explore suitable techniques to make an exciting, engaging, and interactive product and service presentation.

This year is the perfect time to try new strategies. As new technologies continue to emerge, creative visual imagery will maximize your appeal to new customers and buyers.

Here are some of the most important reasons why you should include 3D virtual tours in your marketing plan in 2021:

1. Accessibility

Convenience is the primary purpose of a virtual tour; you can save the information on a cloud for quick online access. According to 2021 statistics on internet usage, there are 4.66 billion active internet users as of January 2021. This number means that more people will see your online ads, and your digital marketing campaigns are more likely to pay off and generate a high return on investment (ROI).

Here are some ways to improve accessibility:
- Ensure compatibility with all known mobile and desktop devices.
- Make the tour easy to understand and operate.
- Improve social media compatibility and sharing options.
- Create vertical designs so that customers can share the experience through social media stories.
Accessibility is one of the highlights of virtual tours, so you should make the experience as digitally available as possible.

2. Entices Visual Appeal

Window shopping is an experience because, in general, humans love looking at things to buy. Real estate companies design showrooms to cater to the consumer’s inherent window shopping needs. Virtual tours are the digital equivalent of showcase rooms.

Here are some ways to entice visual appeal:
- Post a teaser video or experience video with sounds.
- Invite influencers or celebrities to take part in the tour.
- Add background products closely linked to popular culture. For example, a Campbell Soup Can painting by Andy Warhol or the Mona Lisa.
- Optimize your images, so they load faster.
Virtual staging is one of the many options available for real estate developers because of its versatility. You can create virtual showrooms that cater to a wide range of markets.

3. Good Long-Term Investment

Your detailed marketing plan should include virtual tours, especially when you’re dealing with high-volume products for long-term gain. A well-made and optimized real estate 3D virtual tour will last for years. For example, you are selling condominium units or apartments with similar appearances, you can maximize your ROI by presenting an area in many different ways.

Here are some ways to ensure long-term use:
- Scheduled upgrades in systems whenever needed.
- Optimize file sizes by reducing dpi.
- Update elements.
Take note of your target market and audiences. Update your virtual tour as your market changes or improves.

4. Genuine Experience to Customers

In recent years, almost everything from work to shopping has moved online. Having an online equivalent of window shopping will make your customers want to interact more with you. You can create a different experience for mobile and desktop users if you have the budget for it.

Customers love familiarity. Branding sells because clients want to remember the companies they value. Having a virtual tour will allow your consumers to feel like they already walked into the house or store. They are already familiar with the feeling of entering your vicinity.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re planning a simple 3D tour or a complete virtually-staged real estate makeover, you can acquire a successful digital marketing campaign with the help of a professional 3D virtual tour company. The goal is to develop familiarity with your brand and products to imitate the purchase experience.
April 22, 2021
The ‘New Normal’ in the Real Estate Industry

When the coronavirus pandemic first happened, people had no idea about its massive effect on the economy and daily lives.

Yet now, it is obvious. This pandemic has affected thousands of people and changed the face of many industries, including real estate marketing.

Several months have passed, and the fight against this virus is still going on. We are all required to follow the ‘new normal‘ protocols – the new kind of everyday life.

The real estate’s dynamic industry, which is characterized before with numerous open house tours, personal client interactions, and intensive onsite marketing campaigns, has become idle.

Still, the industry needs to do something about it to make real estate photography and videography, virtual tours, and other marketing techniques not obsolete. Moreover, they need to look for ways to stay functional despite the limitations continually.

Here are some of the notable changes in the real estate industry under the ‘new normal.’

Limited personal interaction

Given the limited mobility, realtors and interested buyers are encouraged to do online consultations. It is still possible to have a face-to-face discussion, but it should be one by one and not by group.

A surge in online listings

Although having online listings is not new anymore, many realtors who have been practicing offline marketing are now learning how to do it. This makes real estate photography and videography still useful. Realtors need companies that provide these services to have the materials for their listings, especially good quality photos and videos (including aerial images and clips). It takes a good company to get these materials, and while the agents themselves can do this, there are still more advantages in getting a photography company to do it for you.

Demand for 3D virtual tours

Even before, some realtors already use virtual tours in dealing with some clients who cannot visit the property personally. The demand for this becomes higher, as influenced by the restrictions caused by the outbreak. Possible clients are now requesting this option when they want to see the property and its details. It is good to know that many companies now offer 3D virtual tours. It maintains the industry’s dynamic nature.

More online open house tours

Like a virtual tour, open house tours are now done online, with realtors showing the property to clients in a live video. This approach is another alternative used by agents to accommodate interested buyers who are not ready to go out and visit the property.

The popularity of single property websites

Since everything is almost done online, there is a high demand with agents requesting for single property websites to aid their online listings. For one, unique property websites highlight the property’s essential aspects and amenities, which regular listings usually lack. This kind of site is efficient in showcasing a property since it only has one home or building to show.

Continuous use of digital marketing solutions

With everything done online, the industry is practically utilizing every possible digital marketing solution available in the market. This is to increase online presence and visibility not just on the web, but also on social media platforms. Some companies are also using online ads (Google, Facebook, etc.) to boost their campaigns and increase sales. Digital marketing has also provided ways for realtors to get leads online.

These are only some of the changes in the real estate industry under the ‘new normal.’ It is still hard to predict the other changes that are bound to happen, but these adjustments should be enough to keep the industry going. At least, one thing is for sure: the industry keeps going despite the outbreak.

August 13, 2020
6 Basic Drone Real Estate Photography Tips You Should Learn

The art of photography has been boosted by drones. They have propelled photography to new heights and have taken the world by storm. Drones have been considered by photographers as a vital source to produce beautiful photos. They have opened up countless possibilities for photographers and videographers alike.

Most especially for the aerial views of real estate properties, using drones can bring out unique and interesting perspectives. The use of drones allows every photographer to take photos at a higher perspective. According to Digi Cam Help, drones can instantly change plain old photos into something impressive.

One can be truly impressed at how drones are capable of giving unique photos and videos. Especially important for photographers, drones have built-in cameras to rotate to provide them more freedom in creating magnificent photos. Aside from this, drones can help you reach far-flung areas that are inaccessible.

Real Estate Drone Photography Tips

Nowadays, drones are great not only for hobbies but to businesses as well. Adding drone to photography and videography real estate business can really help boost your business thus, increasing cash flow. To be able to master the use of drones, try the following tips below.

• Basic function of drones must be clearly understood

According to dronevibes.com, learning to understand the equipment and finding time to practice it is the initial thing to do. Many drones that are available in the market today are very easy to operate with little practice time to spare.

Making the drone fly in the air and just pushing the shutter button is the easiest part of the work. A photographer also needs to understand the light condition and the environment first before producing the well composed and graded photographs.

• A well-planned shoot is a requirement

As with all types of photography engagement, it is important to plan ahead. One of the reasons why photos are produced creatively is because the photographer must initially spend time researching the specific location of the property. To make things easier, Google Maps will aid you in scouting the area.

Choosing a perfect time of the day to shoot is crucial in the development of a good photograph. Also consider the position of the sun during aerial drone photography because proper lighting is a big factor in the contrast of the shoot.

Pre-visualizing the shoot will definitely help each photographer to assess the available points of view. For this reason, the camera’s settings can be adjusted like the metering mode and exposure mode.

• Check propeller balancing and vibration dampening

According to http://www.droneybee.com/drone-aerial-photography/, it is always important to check the propellers of the drone frequently to avoid the wobbling effect that basically affects the photo or video shoot. Even the slightest imbalance can create an uneven weight distribution that can significantly create extra movement that is prohibited in photo shoots.

• Know the weather of your location

Even if you are very creative in your drone photography techniques, it is still better to avoid using your equipment during windy, rainy or snowy weather. Although there are drones that are specifically made for rough conditions, it is still recommended to take shoots when the sun shines brightly.

• Maximize flight time

The last thing you really wanted is to damage or crash your drone. Once you are familiar with your equipment, it is important to know how long the drone can fly. It is essential to make test runs first before taking a serious flight for shoot.

• Learn the concepts of aerial photography

Even if you master the settings and manipulation of your drone, it is deemed useless if you do not know the basics of aerial photography. These concepts may include the focal length and scale, fiducial marks, overlapping and stereoscopic coverage, and many more. According to http://www.droneybee.com/drone-aerial-photography/, this is one of the requirements in developing the skills with drone aerial photography.

Aside from the equipment that you own, you can also learn to master the concepts of aerial photography by watching and learning aerial photography and videos. Getting inspiration is one way to improve the art of aerial real estate photography. Learn how to get the piloting done and how the equipment is maneuvered around the area to constantly improve your craft.

Author:
Claire Wright, a savvy tech nerd and self-taught photographer who lives in Seattle and working at one of the best real estate photography companies called HD Estates.

March 8, 2019
The Benefits of Partnering with a Real Estate Photography Company for Real Estate Marketing

Real estate is a tough industry to compete in. Everyone is competitive and racing against time to sell more properties. If you’re in that business, you need to invest in marketing to ensure that your properties sell faster and you book more clients. This is one of your best bets in order to stand out from the competition.

One of the best marketing strategies that you can implement for your business is to partner with a professional real estate photography company. This could mean a little investment on your part, but this will be worth it in the long run.

Here are the benefits of hiring a professional company:

1. Faster turnaround time. In real estate, time is money. Getting the listings out quicker is always important. This could mean selling the property right away when you can. When you’re hiring a real estate photography company to take the pictures, you can get the final output in as early as 24 hours or earlier. They have a whole team who will work on your photos so you can get them faster. This ensures that you can post the photos for listings right away. For some photographers, turnaround time might be more than two days, especially when they are working on their own.

2. Staged photography. The great thing about working with a real estate photography company is that they have professional photographers who will go on location with you. These photographers are experienced in the industry and know how to create the best atmosphere and setup when it comes to achieving the best real estate photos. Having a photographer who knows how to stage the interior and even do minor arrangement works wonders. Doing so ensures that the resulting photos will be of quality and that the property is seen in the best light.

3. Proper post-production. Aside from just staging the interiors, doing post-production is important to real estate photography. Often the best photos come from doing the right edits. When executed properly, this can make or break the photos. With a good photographer, the edits are fewer. However, there will be little post-production necessary like straightening the lines and ensuring that the colors are accurate. Professional retouchers will know this, especially those who have been working in real estate.

4. Get the best quality photos. With the proper staging and post-production, you can get the best quality photos for your listings. Hiring a real estate photography company means that you will be provided with the highest quality of photos for listings and other marketing collaterals. These companies are professionals with years of experience in the real estate industry. They know the requirements needed by those in the business in order to sell, which is amazing photos.

5. Generate more leads. When you’re real estate photography company provides you with amazing photos, you are able to generate more leads. Most of the potential home buyers look at the photos first before calling the agent for a meeting. This is what potential buyers will look at especially when checking out different properties online. When you have the best photos, most often than not, you’ll get the most calls and inquiries.

Author:
Claire Wright, a savvy tech nerd and self-taught photographer who lives in Seattle and working at one of the best real estate photography companies called HD Estates.

March 8, 2019
How to Buy and Save Money on Your First Home Plus Top 12 Good Read Articles
Buying a home is one of your biggest financial decisions as an adult. This is probably among the major decisions that anyone can make no matter what your status is. If this will be your first home, you need to be smart about it and make sure that doing so won’t burn a hole in your pocket. There will be quite a lot of considerations that you have to take, as well

Find a suitable location.

Your location is an important factor that you need to choose before you finally purchase a home. Your location will affect the price of the home. Properties in big cities like Los Angeles and New York are pretty pricey. But when you go a few minutes out of the city, you can find more affordable homes. Just keep in mind that each location has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. In addition to that, you need to find one where you can see yourself living for a long time. Do you want to live near your workplace? Are you looking for a house that’s close to a good school district? You need to think hard about this as you’d want to live and keep the home for not less than seven years at least. You’ll be spending thousands of dollars on a home and getting out of it will be just as costly.

Set a budget.

Find out how much you are able to afford. Make sure that you know the price range of the homes in your location of choice. This will vary depending on the size of the house and the type of property. Check with different property listings online so you are able to have a glimpse of the cost of different homes. Setting a budget for your home will also guide you on what you can and cannot afford. You have to be realistic about your budget and your income. You wouldn’t want to put all your money in your home. Make sure that you set a reasonable amount for a house that you’ll live in a good number of years.

Save for a downpayment and boost your credit score.

Once you’ve identified how much you’re able to afford, work your way into saving for down payment and improving your credit score. Many younger buyers are often plagued with credit score problems. Make sure that you boost your credit ratings while you are saving for a big down payment on your dream home. Your score will affect your mortgage. A bigger credit score will ensure that you get the best interest rates, as well. Set aside enough money for your home’s down payment. Ensuring that you can provide at least 20% of the home price as down payment will also give you better mortgage terms.

Shop for a loan.

Take the time to look around for a good home loan. You need to check the different financing options that are available to you as a first-time buyer. Check rates from different lenders so you can get the best rates. Look for the best loan type with the best payment options. Most home buyers go for the typical 30-year loan. But, there are different mortgages that you can check if you want to pay off the house faster and save on interest.

Negotiate.

Negotiation can make a difference when you’re buying a home for the first time. Being comfortable and good at negotiations will help you save big on this major purchase. Your goal is to agree with a seller on a good price. Make sure that you don’t offer a really low price as this can offend the seller. Another option is to ask your lender to cover the closing fees of your purchase so you can save a couple of hundred dollars.

Top 12 Good Read Articles to Read Before Buying Your First Home:

In random order:
1. 5 Steps to Buying a Home That Won’t Bust Your Budget by Dave Ramsey | Post Link
2. 8 Financial Tips for Buying Your First Home by Kumiko | Post Link
3. How Much Should I Save For a Down Payment? by Brian O’Connell | Post Link
4. How to Buy a House with Bad Credit in 6 Steps by thelendersnetwork.com | Post Link
5. Home Loan Tips for First-Time Home Buyers by creditrepair.com | Post Link
6. Negotiations You Might Have to Make When Buying a House by Courtney Price Davis | Post Link
7. 10 Negotiation tips for buyers by Glenn and Ben Gohlke | Post Link
8. 7 Effective Negotiation Tactics When Buying a Property by Maxim | Post Link
9. First-time Homebuyer Trend for 2018: Advice for Savvy Families by hometrek.org | Post Link
10. Top 10 Things First-Time Home Buyers Should Know in 2018 by Brandon Cornett | Post Link
11. 25 Tips for First-Time Home Buyers by Emily Starbuck Crone | Post Link
12. How To Buy Your First Home: A No Nonsense Step-by-Step Guide by Jon Gorey | Post Link
March 8, 2019