Matterport and the Future of Virtual Property Tours: What Buyers Expect in 2025

by | Jan 7, 2026

How Matterport is Revolutionising Virtual Property Experiences

 

The way people explore properties has changed dramatically over the last few years.

Gone are the days when buyers had to rely solely on static photos or brief video walkthroughs. Yes, they’re still around and most property websites still use these, and they are still helpful. But now, with Matterport, prospective tenants can step inside a new home, office, retail space and more from anywhere in the world with just a few clicks.

The low down:

Matterport’s 3D technology creates immersive, interactive virtual tours that make it feel like you’re physically walking through a property. Using advanced cameras and AI-powered software, Matterport scans every inch of a space, generating a detailed digital twin that buyers can move through freely. This means potential homeowners and investors can explore properties as if they were actually there, without the need to book a visit.

For sellers and real estate agents, this technology is huge. Listings with Matterport tours attract more views, generate higher engagement, and often lead to faster sales. Instead of sifting through multiple in-person viewings, serious buyers can shortlist properties more efficiently, making the entire process smoother for everyone involved.

Plus, Matterport’s ability to create accurate floor plans, dollhouse views, and even AR-compatible models adds another layer of convenience. Whether buyers want to visualise furniture placement or get a better sense of the property’s layout, these features provide deeper insights that traditional listings simply can’t match.

What Features Make Virtual Property Tours Appealing to Buyers?

 

There are quite a few!

The main appeal with virtual property tours is the level of immersion they offer. Photos and videos of properties are great, but nothing beats a personal viewing so you can really experience the look and feel of a space. Virtual property tours essentially place you in that property; it’s the closest thing you can get to actually being there in person.

Here are the key features that make Matterport-powered virtual tours so appealing:

 

High-Resolution 3D Imaging and Interactive Walkthroughs

As we just mentioned, arguably the biggest draw of Matterport’s technology is its lifelike 3D imaging. Buyers can move through a property just as they would in real life, exploring each room from different angles. This ability to “walk” through a home at their own pace creates a much stronger connection to the space than photos and videos can.

Floor Plans, Dollhouse Views and Measurement Tools

The quicker you know a property’s layout, the quicker you’ll know whether or not you want to book a viewing. Matterport provides multiple ways to do so. Prospective buyers can view a dollhouse model, which gives a full 3D perspective of the entire home, or switch to floor plan mode for a more structured look at room dimensions. Better yet, built-in measurement tools allow users to check if their furniture will fit before that awkward moment of finding out their new sofa doesn’t fit in their new living room.

Virtual and Augmented Reality Integration

As VR and AR become more mainstream, they’re adding new layers of realism to property tours. With a VR headset, buyers can experience a home as if they were standing inside it. AR features also allow users to overlay furniture or design elements, helping them look at how a space could look with their personal touch.

View Properties Anytime Anywhere

One of the biggest advantages of virtual tours is convenience. Buyers no longer have to book in multiple in-person visits or rush to open houses (we know the stress). They can explore properties anytime, whether they’re on their lunch break, relaxing at home, or even in a different country. This flexibility is especially valuable for international buyers and those relocating from a different city or even country.

Buyer Expectations in 2025 and Beyond: Where Virtual Tours Are Headed

 

AR and VR have come on leaps and bounds over the last few years, and it’s only going to get better and more property businesses are going to use it.By 2025, virtual property tours will be more advanced, more interactive, and even more essential in the real estate industry.

Here’s what buyers will come to expect from their virtual home-viewing experiences in the near future

 

More Realistic, AI-Enhanced Virtual Tours

As tech improves, so will buyer expectations. They will want virtual tours that are as close to real life as possible. We can expect improvements in ultra-HD rendering, realistic lighting and AI-powered enhancements that make spaces look as true-to-life as possible. AI will also help refine virtual staging, allowing buyers to toggle between different furniture styles, colour schemes, or even renovation options.

Personalised Experiences with AI

Artificial intelligence has seen a recent boom over the last few years, and it’s showing no signs of slowing down. In the property space, AI will begin to play a bigger role in tailoring virtual tours to individual buyers. Just like streaming services recommend movies based on viewing habits, AI will analyse a buyer’s preferences and suggest properties that match their style, budget, and lifestyle needs. Additionally, guided virtual tours with AI-driven narration could highlight key features based on a buyer’s interests, making the experience more engaging.

Using Augmented Reality for Customisation

AR is already allowing buyers to play and interact with a property’s surroundings, so we can expect more of this but in more detail going forward. AR will allow users to change wall colours, swap out flooring, and place their own furniture inside a home, all from their phone or VR headset. This kind of customisation will make it easier for buyers to visualise a home’s potential before stepping inside.

Greater Focus on Sustainability and Remote Buying

With more people prioritising eco-friendly living, virtual tours will likely include features that highlight a home’s sustainability, such as solar panels, energy-efficient appliances, and smart home integrations. Additionally, as long as remote work remains popular, long-distance home buying will become even more common, making high-quality virtual tours essential for buyers who can’t visit in person.

What This Means for Real Estate in 2025

The days of basic online listings are over – buyers in 2025 will expect an immersive and interactive experience when viewing homes. Real estate agents and sellers who embrace these advancements will have a competitive edge, while buyers will benefit from more confidence, convenience, and control in their home-buying journey.

 

Conclusion

 

Matterport has transformed virtual property tours, making them more immersive, interactive, and accessible. Buyers today expect high-quality 3D walkthroughs, but throughout 2025, they’ll demand even more – AI-driven personalisation and AR customisation that makes them feel like they’re actually in the property.

As real estate technology evolves, property sellers who embrace these innovations will attract more buyers, and buyers will enjoy a smoother, more informed purchasing journey.

 

Take a look at our Virtual Reality Projects here.

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FAQs

How long does it take to 3D scan a house?

It takes around 1-2 hours to scan an average size family home. It’s then another 24-48 hrs before your digital Matterport 3D scan will be ready for use. The amount of time spent on a 3D home scan will depend on the size and complexity of your property, so contact us for a more precise estimate.

What is a 3D scan of a house?

A 3D scan digitalises a house setting which allows someone to manipulate the objects, colours and other properties of the rooms and then store them in digital format. This allows creatives and sellers to showcase their houses online to a remote audience or even use it for animated videos or games.

What is Matterport for real estate?

Matterport allows real estate companies to produce a 3D property scan of their buildings so they can be viewed by prospective buyers from the comfort of their screens. This can retain the atmosphere of the estate, capturing its luxurious design which you have worked hard to produce.

How much does a Matterport 3D tour cost?

There is a wide range of costs for one of these. A real estate Matterport tour costs starts from $350 but ultimately depends on the size of the space. The best thing to do is give our team a call and you can get an instant quote over the phone or by email.

What is better than Matterport?

Matterport prides itself on being the best 3D software on the market. It works alongside hundreds of professionals who have made its software simple to use and accessible to any skill level, so making a virtual tour cannot be much easier. Its graphics are highly rendered and look almost real.

Is Matterport good for rental properties?

Rental properties can benefit from Matterport’s VR tours just as much as any other type of property. Future tenants might be unable to visit the house, such as if they are a student on a placement year abroad, so you can provide them will a fully guided 360 virtual tour online.

Is Matterport worth it for real estate?

Matterport is fantastic when it comes to creating virtual tours for real estate. Not only can it create a virtual twin of the space you plan on having the property built, but it can also place a 3D model of the creation onto the land which is almost tangible.

What are the different ways to make a virtual house tour?

Virtual house tours can be made with a 360-degree camera or even with an app connected via your phone. When you engage with experienced web developers, they’ll suggest the best solutions for your 3D property tour creation.

How much does it cost to make a virtual house tour?

The cost of a VR tour usually depends on the size of the property being rendered, the number of transitions required, and the platform you’re planning to use for your 3D web development.

How do you make a VR House tour?

To create a VR tour, you need either 360-degree photographs, sketches or plans. Your 3D web developer will use specialised software to create a 3D rendering of the property, adding navigation functions and options for user interactions such as navigation or chat features.

What is a virtual tour of a property?

A virtual property tour is a simulated walkthrough of a building. It allows for 360-degree navigation of a space and smooth transitions between rooms, or between exterior and interior spaces.

Is a Matterport 3D virtual tour better than photos?

Yes! Matterport’s 3D virtual tours provide you with a comprehensive feeling of what it is likely to be in a space, rather than simply looking at it from a distance. As a seller, you can present all of the things you are proudest of, whilst viewers look at the most intricate details and make a more informed decision without having to leave their own office.

How accurate is a Matterport scan?

A Matterport scan is 98% accurate, which means that the majority of its data points are highly accurate. Accuracy decreases as the objects in the scan are further away. As a general rule, 3D virtual tours are accurate to within 1mm at a range of 25 feet.

How do you do a Matterport scan?

You can simply download the Matterport app and get started. This involves connecting a 3D camera to take in the full photosphere of the space that you are in, waiting for the data to transfer then moving on to the next area that requires a scan. The more data, the more accurate a Matterport 3D scan.

Can you upload a Matterport tour to realcommercial.com.au?

You can upload an office Matterport tour to realcommercial.com.au. This is an ideal step forward for your organisation, as you reach a larger audience with your virtual tour this way. The more people that see your office, the higher the level of demand for your property.

How long does an office 3D scan take?

An individual scan for a 360 walkthrough takes around 30 seconds, with 20 seconds for camera movement and a further 10 for running the capture app. Depending on the size of your 3D home scan or building virtual tour, you may have to do this one or two times per space.

What is Matterport for real estate?

Matterport allows real estate companies to produce a 3D property scan of their buildings so they can be viewed by prospective buyers from the comfort of their screens. This can retain the atmosphere of the estate, capturing its luxurious design which you have worked hard to produce.

 

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