Technology is changing the world every day and it’s also changing the world and every business including the rental industry.

Thanks to technology, we now have far more advanced tools that we can use to make rentals stand out online and attract more qualified renters than before.

In this post we will list the latest technological advancements that owners and property managers alike are using to market their rentals online.

Virtual Reality And Augmented Reality 

Virtual reality refers to a 100% virtual, simulated experience. VR usually requires a pair of goggles or a face mask. When you put them on, a screen shows images that appear just as they would in real life. Virtual reality gives the sense that you’re actually inside the location that you’re viewing–which is why VR has become so popular in the gaming community.

Augmented reality is a totally different experience. Rather than experiencing a virtual world, augmented reality allows people to see virtual images right there in front of them. It allows people to create virtual diagrams, charts, and models with the touch of a button. AR technology has become so advanced that you can manipulate it with just a smart phone–no goggles required.

How Will Virtual and Augmented Reality Impact the Real Estate Industry?

Architects, designers, engineers, and construction companies have been using virtual and augmented reality technology for years. Property management companies have been slower to adopt it. We’re finally starting to see landlords, property managers, and homeowners associations integrate VR and AR technology into their own operations. Here are a few examples of how that’s playing out in practice.

Virtual Showings

Virtual reality is an increasingly popular way for landlords, property managers, and HOAs to show properties that are for rent or sale without having someone be there in person. Anyone with a VR headset can ‘transport’ themselves to a property and tour it as though they were there in person. This allows companies to cast a broader net when trying to lease properties, particularly if their units are located in an area that attracts residents from abroad.

Property Simulations

Augmented reality is a great tool for people to simulate how they’d set up their unit if they were going to live there. Those who are skilled at using AR technology can use it to simulate what a unit would look like if they added a window or moved a door. On a simpler level, it can be used to simulate what furniture would look like in a space.

Construction Design

As we mentioned above, virtual and augmented reality have been used within the construction industry for years. However, more property managers and HOAs are realizing that these tools can be useful in regards to smaller-scale construction projects as well. For instance, before embarking on a major renovation project, virtual and augmented reality can give owners and investors a sense for how the end result will look. VR and AR technologies are increasingly used to make important pre-construction decisions.

Tracking Project Progress

It used to be that a property owner or manager would need to physically visit a site in order to get a sense of how a major renovation project was coming along. That’s no longer the case, thanks to virtual reality. Owners, property managers, and HOAs can all leverage VR technology to take interactive, virtual tours of a project under construction. This can improve communication with contractors, ensure that design standards are being met, and move projects along toward completion.

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For professional property management in the Central Valley, CA contact RPM Central Valley today by calling (209) 572-2222 or click here to connect with us online.