Virtual Reality Viewings: Gimmick or the Next Standard?
Every few years, the property industry discovers its “next big thing.” A few years ago, it was 3D virtual tours and Matterport scans. Before that, it was drone marketing. Today, the spotlight has shifted to Virtual Reality (VR) viewings — headset-powered experiences where buyers “walk through” a property without stepping inside.
But the key question remains: is VR the future of real estate, or just another expensive gimmick?
Why VR Viewings Took Off
- Pandemic Catalyst – Lockdowns made physical viewings impossible, pushing developers and agencies to experiment with VR as a substitute.
- Developer Showcase – Launch galleries set up VR headsets as a wow-factor tool to impress prospects.
- Novelty Effect – VR grabbed headlines as the next revolution in property sales.
Why It Faded
VR didn’t fail because it lacked innovation — it failed because it didn’t align with local buyer behavior.
1. Cost vs Value Mismatch
The ROI calculation was flawed. The significant cost of producing a high-fidelity VR tour was hard to justify when the ultimate decision-maker — the Malaysian family buyer — still placed 90% of their trust in a physical walkthrough. They wanted to feel the space, listen for noise, check airflow, and even smell the unit. VR couldn’t deliver that.
2. Limited Buyer Adoption
Most buyers didn’t own VR headsets. At best, they experienced the tour at a sales gallery — which defeated the purpose of “remote” viewing.
3. Technical Barriers
VR setups required strong internet and powerful devices. Meanwhile, WhatsApp videos loaded instantly and shared easily. Guess which tool buyers preferred?
4. Novelty Wore Off
After the initial wow factor, VR wasn’t the deciding factor. Price, location, and in-person visits mattered more. Once restrictions eased, developers dropped VR quietly.
Where VR Still Makes Sense
VR isn’t dead — but its value lies in specific pain points, not the mass market.
- Overseas Buyers – It solves the problem of distance and commitment. A VR tour can be the difference between a casual inquiry and a plane ticket purchase for a foreign investor.
- Commercial Real Estate – Layout-driven decisions (e.g., office floors, factories, retail lots) benefit from spatial previews.
- Pre-Construction Sales – It solves the problem of abstraction. CGI videos sell lifestyle; VR sells spatial reality — room dimensions, flow, and scale before a single brick is laid.
- Facility Management & Training – Beyond sales, VR models support asset documentation, safety simulations, and staff training.
Final Word: Gimmick or Standard?
For now, VR viewings remain a solution in search of a widespread problem in Malaysia’s property market. Buyers aren’t demanding it. Agencies can’t justify the cost. The industry’s core challenges — efficiency, trust, and compliance — remain untouched by a VR headset.
