It’s been used to play video games and bring movies to life, now an online Winnipeg rental platform is about to use virtual reality to sell apartments.
For the past year, Gryd.com has been trying to reinvent the way people search for a new place to live. With 3D tours already incorporated in their website, the digital platform is planning to launch full virtual reality apartment walk-through’s by the end of 2017.
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“Virtual reality is the next media communications tool, it’s the next internet technology,” Gryd.com founder and president Jordan Billinkoff said.
To experience the virtual reality will be simple. All you need is a smart phone, the Gryd.com app, and a headset that Billinkoff is planning to sell for as low as $5.
Once all the pieces are put together, Gryd.com will feature a virtual tour option on each of its apartment listings.
When apartment seekers bring the headset to to their eyes, they’ll be able to turn 360 degrees, look up and down, and move around wherever they choose.
“You’re walking through what is actually the true apartment unit. It’s more like playing a video game,” Billinkoff said.
The technology is also making its way into the buyer’s market. Winnipeg realtor Mark Penner said within the next two years, virtual reality will become a standard in selling a home or condo.
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“Not only will VR help agents, developers and architects, it really will empower buyers and sellers in this complex conduct, and help them achieve what they want to achieve with reliable information,” Penner said.
Gryd.com is planning to expand its services across the country within the next year. So far the digital platform has already been recognized for two national innovation awards.
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