Two Coldwell Banker Real Estate-affiliated sales associates recently used virtual reality (VR) to transform a traditional broker’s open house, Coldwell Banker announced. The two associates, Anthony Colantuono and Mike Crimaldi, of Coldwell Banker Hunter Realty in Brecksville, Ohio, used VR headsets to show a $1.65 million listing—at a restaurant 20 miles away from the property.
“Agents are always looking for the next best way to market their homes, and virtual reality is it. I’m now convinced,” says Colantuono. “We more than doubled the amount of agents we would have normally had at a traditional open house. This type of exposure is critical. And while we would fully expect these agents to bring prospective buyers to the home itself, the agents now have an amazingly realistic view of the home.”
“Through virtual reality, we were able to see each detail of the house without ever stepping inside,” says Crimaldi. “It is so realistic that many actually reached down to hold the railing as they virtually walked down the steps. It’s a game-changer for real estate agents who potentially can use the technology to see dozens of listings in one sitting and provide even greater value to their clients.”
Colantuono and Crimaldi, who had tested virtual reality technology for the first time at the Coldwell Banker Generation Blue conference in October, got approval from their seller, filmed the home and then collaborated with Samsung, which provided phones and virtual reality headsets to accommodate the nearly 80 agents who attended.
“We are forward-thinking and recognize the potential of virtual reality,” says Sean Blankenship, chief marketing officer at Coldwell Banker. “Mike and Anthony pushed the envelope and, in the process, showcased how properties can be marketed to the real estate community in a new way.”
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