Technology Helping Scotland’s Property Market
We’ve spoken to Natalie Simpson, head of new home sales and Edinburgh residential agency for Strutt & Parker, about the way that viewing technology is playing its part in today’s Scottish property market.
She said: “In the current climate of self-isolation and social distancing, it is not possible to view a property in person. We were the first agency offering virtual viewings to our clients on a national basis since 2018, and since January this year around 60% of new instructions coming to the market have had a virtual viewing option for prospective buyers. This technology allows buyers and prospective tenants to navigate a home with a 360° view, walking through rooms and even into gardens.
“A virtual viewing is in effect really a first viewing. It allows buyers to build up a very clear sense of a property in a way that photos just can’t. It is particularly helpful where viewers need to travel quite some distance to visit a property. They can have the confidence that they know a property quite well already and might be more willing to invest the time and money in viewing, or, conversely, rule it out. This of course has environmental benefits as well.”
“Pavilion is a superb Edinburgh development,” says Ms Simpson. “The show home was completed in March and as a result of the current circumstances many interested parties have been unable to see it in person. The virtual viewing is an excellent tool in its ability to offer a very clear idea of a property in the absence of being able to view it in the first person. The great advantage is that potential buyers can view as many times as they like, remind themselves of details like layout and which rooms have which views. It is also possible to measure spaces so buyers can even work out how their furniture will fit.
“We were able to make the virtual viewing available for Pavilion at the end of last week and have had several enquiries already as a result.”
New to the market at Pavilion, a three-bedroom, two-bathroom, first-floor apartment with south-facing balcony has a fixed price of £1,246,500.
There’s another notable new home tour of Eslie Lodge, a detached, bespoke-fitted, property in a secluded rural setting in Banchory, Aberdeenshire. Making the very most of its location, there’s a dual-aspect sitting room, with patio doors opening onto the south-facing gardens and breathtaking countryside views. All five bedrooms are doubles, with the master having a dressing area and en suite bathroom.
The vendor is asking for offers in the region of £950,000.
Use of this new technology is not exclusive to new build properties and is also a great benefit for vendors, explains Ms Simpson. “Virtual viewings allow the house-hunting journey to continue from home. Time will tell how this will play out in the long term, but current levels of engagement from buyers and tenants indicates that the market is embracing this technology, albeit in unprecedented circumstances.”
“Vendors can in the main be reassured that viewers have a serious interest in the property. Furthermore, we have in some cases sold properties unseen to buyers on the basis of virtual viewings.”
One of the re-sale properties currently available where you can take a personal tour is Drumashie Steading in Dores, on the shores of Loch Ness. It has been lovingly restored and transformed by the owners and the virtual viewing shows it off brilliantly. Offers are welcome over £675,000.
“Being further north, it is an example of where virtual viewings are particularly useful, not only now in lockdown, but once we have returned to a new normal. It takes some of the guesswork out of looking at properties that might involve a significant journey,” says Ms Simpson.
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