Augmented Reality is a technology that has been around for a few decades, but has undergone tremendous democratization in recent years with the rise of smartphones and the phenomenal success of the Pokémon GO mobile game, which has propelled this technology and its use to the forefront.

Augmented Reality allows users to display virtual layers in the real world, thus interact with their environment: to the user, the AR experience is one of heightened impact and relevance.

Our smartphones and tablet screens allow us to interact with augmented reality content (videos, holograms, and other additions). Technology has made its way into many sectors of everyday activity.

To experience Augmented Reality (AR), you need :

• A smartphone or tablet with an integrated camera
• A good internet connection (Wifi/4G)
• Mobile Augmented Reality application (optasiAR app) for the native AR experiment (IOS/Android) or a basic web browser to access the experience in webAR

An augmented visual (also known as a marker)

You just have to scan an augmented printout with your smartphone or tablet for the hidden interactive content to reveal itself: let the magic happen.

Augmented Reality provides endless business opportunities for the Real Estate market. Using AR, potential buyers of real estate can already visit the property in 3D before making the effort to travel there.

For realtors, AR provides completely new marketing opportunities by making use of location-based services while at the same time providing a unique experience to the buyer.

Branding: augmenting the rate of recall
Augmented reality changes how advertising can be experienced. Create a “Wow!” effect by adding a virtual layer to your physical print material—perhaps some multimedia content, or an interactive contest. Expand your field of possibilities and reach Millennials with print.

Service: Offer new customer experiences
Augmented reality allows you to go beyond the physical constraints of your media. Offer additional services by exploiting the virtual space: enrich your printed media with new information and animations.

Sales: Make the customer journey more fluid
Augmented reality opens up a new customer acquisition channel. Boost your sales! Grab the attention of prospects using traditional print media, then convert them through their smartphones with promotional offers and direct shortcuts to online ordering.

In the end, Augmented Reality has the potential to revolutionize the real estate industry. Embracing AR technology can help realtors to separate themselves from the competition by providing clients with a unique experience.

Better Visualization
When providing users with an AR experience using 3D models while they are looking for real estate, they get an instant feel of how the apartment or property is going to look like. Besides, allowing them to go on a virtual tour to see the object beforehand, gives buyers the chance to get inspired by trying out different interior designs and exploring the entire house, garden, and even the basement. And all without leaving your desk.

Time/Resources
Instead of traveling to a lot of different locations, AR technology would allow prospective clients to narrow down the list of potential properties before in order to only see and visit a few objects. This way time constraints are not a problem and a purchase decision can be made faster.

Competitive Advantage
Nowadays, it is increasingly difficult to get somebody’s full attention. To create better engagement with potential clients, and to differentiate your business as much as possible from the competition, Augmented Reality might make a crucial difference.
Unique Experience
AR would allow real estate professionals to offer a more personalized and unique experience to the client. On top of that, AR gives clients the chance to test if their furniture fits into the living room, before even visiting it.
New Marketing Opportunities through Location-based AR
Users would have the opportunity to be walking around the city and see available properties through their mobile devices. Additionally, notifications might also appear on the app every time clients are close to a potential property that fits their search criteria. Real Estate agents would be able to use AR to advertise properties on the map in a new and revolutionary way.
Better Engagement
Due to innovation and the multiple interactive possibilities of AR in Real Estate, customers would be more likely to spend more time using your app. This will allow you to get your customers more interested and involved, which would be a beneficial factor to boost your business.