MATTERPORT

HOW MATTERPORT WORKS

Matterport is a special camera that takes 360° scans of a building.  The associated program then over laps those images to create 3D virtual tours.  Once an area is captured and uploaded, prospective buyers can virtually walk through a home.  Unlike photos that can sometimes be deceptive based on angles it shows the actual size and layout of an area.  In fact Matterport even has a measurement option that can be used to get room dimensions. 

For homes with unusual layouts or specialized closets/storage, Matterport does a great job of representing these areas.  Doors can be left open to show nooks and crannies or tags can be added to spots providing photos or videos showing what is inside.

Tags can also be used to highlight features and provide links to additional information.  In this sample two tags were used.  One highlights the control for radiant floor heating the other is a tag that links to more information about Nest Thermostats. 

TRY IT FOR YOURSELF

Click on the Matterport below to navigate the first floor of the sample area you saw me capture in the video.

USING MATTERPORT TO STAY SAFE

Typically we use Matterport to show off larger homes especially if they are vacant since it can be difficult for prospective buyers to get a true understanding of the home’s size and layout from photos of empty rooms.  In the past doing a Matterport scan for a home wasn’t always the best sales tactic, especially if a home had smaller rooms or an unappealing layout.  The reason being prospective buyers may be turned off by the scans and choose not to view the house in person eliminating the possibility of loving the area of having an emotional connection to the home when physically viewing it.

However with the pandemic and unprecedented seller’s market sometimes less is more.  The current market has created a plethora of buyers and showings can quickly become over whelming.  Although we take every precaution to make the home showing process as safe as possible for both seller and buyer obviously the less people who enter a home to view it the lower the risk to all.  Using Matterport prospective buyers can see the home’s size and layout producing a higher quality of buyers, attracting those who have a good understanding of the space and are still seriously interested.

PHOTOS VS MATTERPORT VS WALK THROUGH VIDEO

As a Realtor I feel professional photos of a listing is a MUST and strongly believe that video and Matterport supplement those photos but should never replace them.  Depending on the space and the type of sale I sometimes recommend video.  If home has an awkward layout I would suggest a walkthrough video. I also recommend walk through videos for condos since in most of Bergen County the demand for condos nearly as strong as it is for single or multi-family homes. My recommendations are made on a case by case basis but I let the seller decide what they believe is best for them.

WHY YOU DON’T SEE MATTERPORT MORE OFTEN

Matterport is an expensive technology.  Many Realtors do not have access to it or struggle with the technology.  As a result they have to pay a third party to create the 3D models for them, a service that starts at $500.  Since it is a seller’s market many Realtors do not want to pay that amount on top of the cost of photos for homes they believe will sell anyway.

I believe Matterport is a valuable tool that helps educate buyers, reduces the burden of showings on my clients, and helps keep my sellers safe.  This is why I am offering Matterport or a walk through video on ALL of my listings, including rentals, during the pandemic.