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

Do I need to own a camera, or can you capture the property for me?

Both options are available. You can capture the space yourself using a supported device, or book one of our certified technicians to scan the property on your behalf. Our technicians are based in every major Australian city and can deliver a completed virtual tour within two business days.

Are shareable links available for property portals and listing sites?

Yes. Tours can be published to major real estate and rental portals, embedded on your own website, or distributed via private links for controlled access. Property reports can also be exported for direct MLS import.

Can I add branding to a tour while staying MLS-compliant?

Yes. You can add branding elements such as agent contact details and quick links while also generating MLS-ready property reports for compatible plan tiers. Both are supported without compromising listing compliance.

What happens to a virtual tour after a property sells?

You can archive a tour to free up your active space count while retaining all the captured data. Archived tours cannot be viewed, shared, or edited until reactivated, giving you a flexible way to manage your portfolio without losing any assets.

What hosting plan do I need to keep a tour live during a listing?

You need a plan that provides enough active spaces for your current inventory. Entry-level plans include a limited number of active spaces, while higher-tier plans unlock more capacity and additional export options. See our pricing page for a full breakdown.

Can buyers take measurements inside a tour on their own device?

Yes. Automated measuring is available publicly, so buyers and other stakeholders can check dimensions from both desktop and smartphone without visiting the property in person.

How accurate are the measurements and floor plans?

Tours are dimensionally accurate and include automated measurements for walls, ceiling heights, and room dimensions. Exportable floor plans and measurement files are produced as standard, making them suitable for listing, planning, and facilities workflows.

How long does it take to scan a property and publish the tour?

Scan and publish times vary based on property size, complexity, and whether the space is furnished or vacant. For properties between 93 and 372 square metres, estimated capture time is one to three hours. Contact us to discuss turnaround for your specific property.

Do virtual tours help listings get more engagement and better-qualified showings?

Yes. Properties listed with immersive virtual tours attract more serious buyers by allowing remote exploration that builds confidence before a showing. The result is higher engagement, stronger listing performance, and enquiries from buyers who have already decided the property is worth their time.

What marketing assets can I generate from a single capture?

A single capture produces a complete set of listing assets, including an immersive 3D virtual tour, high-resolution 2D photos, schematic floor plans, dimensionally accurate measurements, and spatial data insights. Everything you need for marketing, leasing, and documentation comes from one visit.

What onboarding, training, and support is provided for commercial rollouts?

We provide onboarding support for commercial and enterprise clients including Customer Success Management, technical support, training resources, and documentation to help teams standardize workflows and get up to speed quickly.

What subscription and pricing options are available for commercial portfolios?

Since every commercial portfolio has different needs, we offer custom plans that scale by active spaces, users, features, and integrations. Contact our team to discuss pricing tailored to your portfolio size and requirements.

Can virtual tours be embedded on our website or shared via private links for due diligence?

Yes, tours can be embedded on commercial property websites, added to listing portals, shared on social media, or distributed through private links for confidential due diligence. Viewing permissions help tailor access for different stakeholder groups.

How are virtual tours hosted and secured, and can we control access with SSO and permissions?

Tours are hosted on a secure cloud platform with enterprise-grade controls including role-based permissions and compliance-aligned security standards. Admins can manage users, audit activity, control sharing, and embed private tours into secure portals.

Will you capture the property for us, and what turnaround times can we expect?

3D Walkabout provides certified capture technicians across multiple locations to scan properties on your behalf, with fast turnaround times depending on property size and location. Contact us to confirm availability in your area.

Can you handle exterior and long-range capture for warehouses, industrial plants, or large campuses?

Yes, we support both indoor and outdoor capture and are optimized for a wide range of commercial environments, including warehouses, manufacturing facilities, and multi-building campuses.

What are the most impactful 3D capture deliverables for property management teams?

The most valuable outputs are those that improve communication across property marketing, leasing, and facilities operations, including immersive 3D virtual tours, schematic floor plans, and dimensionally accurate measurements and spatial data. These support marketing campaigns, leasing due diligence, and long-term facilities planning.

Can you manage multi-building portfolios and large commercial assets from a single account?

Yes, our platform scales across multi-building portfolios, letting CRE teams organize and navigate hundreds of virtual tours from one centralized dashboard. Even for large-scale assets, cloud infrastructure ensures fast loading and smooth viewing without lag.

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.

 

 

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