Virtual viewings app for smartphones launched

A 360-degree tour tech firm is to launch a real-time service that will enable agents to offer virtual viewings.

The system, it says, will be the first in the world to offer real-time, two-way viewings on mobile phones and laptops.

Eyespy360, which is based in London, says this this will help agents cut down the number of physical viewings agents have to complete by eliminating tyre-kickers, and enable agents to concentrate on qualified leads.

“Why wouldn’t a potential buyer look at a virtual tour first instead of turning up blind and then having to walk away when they realise it’s not for them,” says CEO Andrew Nichols (pictured, right).

EyeSpy360, which launched in May last year and already counts Countrywide, Arun Estates, JLL and developer Octagon among its clients says it will launch the product in “a few months”.

Started up in May 2016 but in development for six month before that, EyeSpy360 began by creating an affordable way for agents to offer high quality 360-degree property tours.

Samsung Gear

Whereas some companies charge up to £4,000 for their proprietary kit, the EyeSpy360 system can be used with any of the 360-degree cameras on the market, which start at around £200 for the Samsung Gear 360 (pictured, right), for example.

Eyespy360 then offers a ‘fremium’ model to create tours, but for agents to brand it their own, a subscription service is offered starting at £29 a month.

The additional functionality due to go live will enable an agent to follow potential buyers or tenants as they tour a property and, if summoned to do so via an interactive button within the tour, talk to them via a skype-style text, audio or video conversation.

The technology will also enable agents to conduct ‘open house’ virtual viewings in a similar way.

“We started looking at areas where 360 VR tours could add value and the property space was one of them that we thought was ripe for change,” says Michael Valentine, the company’s COO (pictured, above).

“I believe that VR 360 will soon supersede standard stills photography in the property market. We believe that because of the feedback from the agents, sellers and buyers who we talk to, who say it helps them win instructions when compared to agents who don’t use it.”